Disaster law internship

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 189 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

The IFRC Disaster Law Programme (DLP) seeks to reduce human vulnerability by promoting effective laws for disaster risk management and response. As a pioneer in the field of international disaster response laws, rules and principles, the DLP led development of the most widely used international guidelines on the regulation of international relief. At the request of the IFRC’s members and the state parties to the Geneva Conventions, the DLP recently expanded its work into research and advocacy concerning legal issues related to domestic disaster management. It is currently engaged in intensive technical assistance projects in over a dozen countries, major research projects, and advocacy initiatives in regional and global fora around the world.

Job Purpose

At the request of the IFRC's members and the state parties to the Geneva Conventions, the DLP recently expanded its work into research and advocacy concerning legal issues related to domestic disaster management. It is currently engaged in intensive technical assistance projects in over a dozen countries, major research projects, and advocacy initiatives in regional and global fora around the world.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Legal research and writing (with an emphasis on comparative laws and including the development of a publication-quality article for the Disaster Law Working Paper Series)
• Organization of workshops and conferences
• Development of communications products (including the programme’s web pages, social media, news service, newsletter)
• Maintenance of the DLP legal database
• Support to the DLP’s regional representatives

Education

Completed university degree in law and advanced study in international or comparative law at the masters level required, preferably with a focus in environmental law, humanitarian affairs or other related topics

Experience

• Familiarity with online research and standard office software required, and experience with page layout and/or web page design also valued
• Previous experience with the Red Cross and Red Crescent is valued
• Knowledge, skills and languages
• Highly organized and results focused
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse cultural context
• Excellent writing skills
• Self-supporting in computers
• Excellent spoken and written English and legal writing skills required as is high-level capacity in at least one of the following languages: French, Spanish, Arabic, or Russian.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Professionalism
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Innovation