Intern, Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness

Organizational Context

Global Overview

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

The IFRC Secretariat is divided into 3 division, including the Operations division, which hosts two units that are relevant to this posting: The Health & Care department, which includes the Emergency Health unit (working on Global Health Security (GHS)), as well as the National Society Policy and Knowledge Department, which includes the Policy and Humanitarian Diplomacy unit. Both teams work closely together on a number of projects, including the 2022 World Disasters Report and broader advocacy and education efforts on Global Health Security. The intern position will support both teams and as such will report to two managers working in close coordination.

Global Health Security Flagship

Large-scale epidemics and pandemics pose a serious threat not only to global health security but also to countries, communities and individuals in their efforts to achieve resilience. Epidemics and pandemics affect all sectors, impacting routine health services, economic, food security, education, transportation, among others. Engagement of communities and civil society in epidemic and pandemic preparedness is vital to ensure early response and mitigate impact, including the delivery of normative health services. The IFRC is uniquely placed to support whole-of-society epidemic and pandemic preparedness by leveraging its supporting role to 192 National Red Cross Red Crescent Societies.

Since 2017, IFRC has been implementing a Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Program (CP3), and the organization has recently launched a Global Health Security flagship initiative to further scale up epidemic risk management initiatives within the IFRC network. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of learning for the global health architecture, so it has been also to the IFRC and its global health security approach.

World Disasters Report (WDR)

The World Disasters Report (WDR) is one of IFRC’s lead publication. In regular production since 1993, the WDR addresses key policy and practice themes related to disasters in addition to drawing lessons from the most recent events worldwide. Now published every two years, the next edition that will be published in 2022 will address lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic and what we need to do to be better prepared and more effective for the next one.

Internship Purpose

The Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Intern will be focus on two files:

• support communications, knowledge sharing and advocacy activities of the Global Health Security team;
• support activities related to the launch of the IFRC’s WDR, focused this year on lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Internship Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the GHS team with the mapping and development of epidemic preparedness guidance and tools.
• Contribute to GHS communication, knowledge sharing and documentation processes related to ongoing epidemic and pandemic preparedness programmes (success stories, case studies, conference submissions, journal publications).
• Take an active role in the organization of internal and external knowledge sharing events (webinars, workshops, conferences, journals).
• Support the Global Health Security team advocacy initiatives including the development and implementation of the GHS advocacy strategy, IFRC’s GHS flagship, follow-up to the RCRC International Conference’s resolution on epidemics and pandemics, etc.
• Work collaboratively with the relevant IFRC policy and health focal points to streamline the public health components of the WDR.
• Provide a public health view and support the launch and promotion of the WDR.
• Support other needs of the Policy and Global Health Security teams as needed.
• Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals.
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Intern Position Requirements

Education

Required

• Enrolment in, or completion of an advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in public health, global health, epidemiology, international health, or related field.

Experience

Required

• Experience of working in an office environment.

Preferred

• Work or volunteer experience in the international humanitarian sector and/or public health research desirable (i.e. United Nations or NGOs).
• Experience in communications and/or advocacy in the field of public health.

Knowledge and Skills

Required

• Fluently spoken and written English.
• Knowledge in health policy and advocacy in public health.
• Understanding of research methods and evidence collection methods – Research background and analytical skills are an asset.
• Knowledge about the health sector in relation to epidemics and pandemics.
• Strong communications and writing skills.
• Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality.
• Able to work on own initiative and solve problems.
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment.
• Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word-processing, other statistical software).

Preferred

• Other IFRC languages (French, Spanish, Arabic) are an asset.
• Knowledge about the humanitarian sector and disaster management.

Competencies

• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.
• Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.