Internship for disaster risk reduction and climate change

Rationale

The International Institute of Rural Reconstruction is a training and research organization with a mandate to develop capacities of communities and other development professionals in participatory rural development approaches. This internship/volunteer program is one of the many approaches it applies in developing capacities of development professionals that have the skills and appropriate behavior towards participatory rural development work not only as professionals working in the office but more importantly as professionals directly working in communities/rural poor.

IIRR celebrates its 50th year in 2010. An important theme for this year’s celebration is the reactivation of the volunteer and internship program which its founder Dr. YC James Yen started 60 years ago in Ting Hsien, China.

Objectives

At the end of the internship program, the selected intern shall be able to: 

- Develop skills in the application of development and organizational development theories to practical work situations, 
- Use tools and techniques in implementing sustainable and participatory development strategies and approaches,
- Adapt appropriate attitude and ethics required of development professionals in the exercise of his/her duties and responsibilities.

Program Highlights

As a development organization, IIRR has to face the challenges of the times and this includes global climate changes which exacerbates existing social and economic distress in the world. The work of IIRR which aims to liberate rural communities from illiteracy, poverty, disease and civic inertia are currently being challenged by the impacts of global climate change and IIRR has to respond to this.

Considering the current threats in its development initiatives and interventions, IIRR backed by its long years of experience in development work took the Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) as a development framework and approach in building resilient communities.

CMDRR refers to a process of disaster risk reduction in which communities are actively engaged in the identification, analysis, monitoring and evaluation of the risks, with the aim of reducing people’s vulnerabilities and enhancing their capacities. It places the communities in the heart of decision-making and management of disaster risk reduction measures. The framework of CMDRR embodies three interlocking dimensions which are task, solidarity development and process facilitation. This tri-dimensional framework generates deliberate intents to community organizational building and leadership development as an integral part of disaster risk reduction.

Currently, IIRR set up a Program on Disaster Risk Reduction to expand its work on CMDRR at the same time to contribute in the global pool of knowledge on climate change mitigation and adaptation through its learning community.

Internship Responsibilities

- Assist the program on capacity building courses on CMDRR both preparations and conduct on customized and international levels; 
- Develop in-campus DRR and climate change related activities i.e. camps, forums, discussions, round table discussions, etc.
- Assist in research prospects in mobilizing external resources for disaster risk reduction initiatives, and assist in the development of appropriate project or consultancy proposals for generating those resources; 
-  Assist in mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in capacity development programs, and integrate livelihood, primary healthcare, natural resources and other related thematic areas in disaster risk reduction approaches and initiatives. 
-  Assist in the enhancement of partnerships and networking with relevant agencies and coordinate with project partners and other stakeholders in the target countries for the successful implementation of program activities. 
- Prepare project progress reports, technical reports, implementation plans, work plans and related documentation.

Who are Qualified

- New graduates who wants to develop a career in national, regional and international development particularly in disaster risk reduction and climate change;
- Those who loves working with people and organizations;
- With good written and oral communication skills
- Able to use the computer and the internet to perform the responsibilities listed above
- Those who can work well with a team
- Those who likes the challenge of working in a multi-cultural setting
- Those who can efficiently and effectively engage in DRR and climate change issues;