Organizational Context

ONLY FOR NATIONAL SOCIETIES MEMBERS

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network, with 192-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.

The Secretariat of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (“the IFRC”) works to a Business Model and has a Business Delivery Plan with key commitments that sharpen its focus, clarity, and efficiency and accountability results. The Secretariat, headquartered in Geneva, has five decentralized regional offices: one of which is the Americas, guided by the Secretariat strategies for implementation and areas of focus that builds on the vision of strategy 2020. The Americas’ region is organized in two main hemispheres: a group of support services departments and geographical configurations of (i) Country Cluster Support Teams and (ii) Country Office(s), as well as the Deputy Regional Director, each of them led by the Regional Director; and another hemisphere: six building blocks composed by (i) Partnerships and Resource Development, (ii) Policy, Strategy and Knowledge; (iii) Communication, (iv) Disaster and Climate Crisis: Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, (v) Health and Care, (vi) Logistics, each of them led by the Deputy Regional Director.

Disaster and Climate Crisis prevention, response, and recovery Department (DCCPRR) focuses on all components of disaster risk management, as well as all phases of disaster and crisis response recognizing that this often operate in a simultaneously and overlapping manner. The DCCPRR ensures quality, relevant and effective support to the National Societies of Red Cross (NS) to improve the services they provide to communities and people affected by disasters and crises and in support of resilience-building processes of disadvantaged groups. This covers actions reaching all levels of intervention –from local to global- in a way that fosters the effective integration of the seven areas of focus, as well as timely assistance to ensure that Red Cross National Societies consistently deliver –through their volunteers and staff- relevant country-wide services to vulnerable people, sustained for as long as needed.

To achieve its goal, the DCCPRR department delivers services to different stakeholders, at different levels. It mainly works with and through Red Cross National Societies, providing technical support and assisting in the implementation of their operations and programmes. It also works closely with other humanitarian partners and other actors, such as regional integration mechanisms, disaster management systems and civil society.

Job Purpose

Contribute to the development of activities carried out by the Federation’s Disaster and Climate Crisis Unit as part of the response, follow-up and monitoring of the emergencies and disasters in the Americas region.

Objectives:

General Objectives applicable to all staff are:

• Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals
• Abide by and work following the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.
• Adhere to standard operational procedures (SOPs), Code of Conduct, Principles and Rules for Red Cross and Red Crescent Humanitarian Assistance and other standards.
• Submit the Handover Document, Mission Appraisal, and a Deployment Feedback at the end of the mission.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Intern will work closely with the Continental Operations Coordinator on the following tasks and objectives:

• Code and post financial transactions in the D365 system as requested.
• Assist in reconciliations required for month-end closings and annual ARO close.
• Review supporting documentation for National Society submissions, staff deployed for rapid response and local ARO staff.
• Review of compliance with IFRC policies and procedures applicable to financial returns.
• Interpret project financial information in order to determine feasibility of validation (avoiding project deficits).
• Review budgets for verification of reported financial transactions.
• File physical documentation received in support of National Society, rapid response staff and local ARO staff reports.
• Order digital files of financial transactions posted in months since the implementation of the E-Archive method.
• Reconcile digital files versus posted transactions to determine what is outstanding.
• Search for supporting documentation of transactions requested in audits.
• Record invoices received in the accounts payable system for processing.
• Process bulk billing reallocations for posting to the respective projects.
• Reconcile vendor balances by comparing Accounts Payable system versus supplier statements.
• Support in moving files from the HUB to the new warehouse.
• Other activities as required by ARO accounting and finance department.

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of IFCRC financial policies and procedures applicable to emergency operations

Duration:

The internship will be for a period of 1 months. Any extension of this period will be agreed by the Intern and the Regional DCCPRR team. After this period the intern will fully debrief all aspects and result of their support as intern to the IFRC´ Americas Regional Office.

Pre-deployment Responsibilities:

The intern will fully cover the costs related of this deployment. This includes insurance, accommodation, international and local travel expenses. IFRC provide a stipend of CHF 65.00 per day, to support cover food and transportation expenses.

Security

The Intern will adhere to the in-country security regulations of his/her Duty Station. The following security regulations will apply:

• The intern is included in the IFRC Security Framework and s/he must be aware of and adhere to the IFRC Security Guidelines during the mission. These include signing the “Acknowledgement of risk: security in the field” document annexed to the Security Guidelines.
• The interns will follow security plans of her/his place of residence during providing support remotely.
• If there are not Security guidelines already in place for the country of operation, these will be set by the TL in coordination with the Security Focal Point, and the Security Unit in Geneva (unit@ifrc.org)
• It is a requirement that each team member must complete the IFRC Stay Safe online course.

Due to the importance of the safety and security of individuals and the mission as a whole, any breach of Security Regulations may be considered to be misconduct. As such, security breaches may have disciplinary consequences, up to and including the immediate termination of the assignment or mission.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Duty of Care

• Travel approval process: The Regional Surge Focal point must be aware of all travel requests. Travel cannot be approved until coordinated with the following focal points in the regional office or nearest IFRC office: Security, Staff health (if available in the region), and Air Ops. The travel checklist must be signed and completed prior to travel.

• PPE: If the Rapid Response personnel need to engage in field work were physical distance is not possible and they are not provided with PPE prior to travel, then adequate PPE is to be provided by the receiving office. Please follow the proposed packing list for deciding adequate PPE amounts.

• Contracting and insurance: The mission dates must include quarantine days upon return to the rapid response personnel’s home country. Quarantine requirements should be checked at the time of deployment and during the deployment and personnel should be returning home within the contract time. In the event that the rapid response personnel shows symptoms within the quarantine days after returning home, the nearest Surge Focal Point is to be alerted and the rapid response personnel’s insurance coverage extended until the end of their symptoms.

• Budget: All costs related to quarantine upon return to the rapid response personnel’s home country are to be covered by the deploying entity (and should be budgeted under a relevant operational code if necessary). Per diem is to cover additional expenses so if under the entry requirements someone must quarantine in a hotel and if as a result there are costs to the individuals then there should be coverage so the rapid response personnel is not out of pocket.

Mission Health Vaccines

• The Intern should have the minimum required vaccinations completed before deploying to the mission country. Please see the Staff Health Guidance document available on IFRC GO for more information about COVID-19.
• Please check for more information at SoS international (internationalsos.com– username 22AMMS000091)
• Contact person at Regional Office for any queries regarding vaccination: staff.health@ifrc.org

Other information:

The Intern should wear signage as provided by the Federation office.

• All team members should wear signage as provided by their National Society or Federation office.
• All team members should carry Identification issued by their National Society identifying them as a Red member of the Movement.
• All members should be outfitted with proper equipment including:
  • Laptop computer and thumb drives
  • Mobile phone
• The individual will be briefed online (Skype, Teams, etc) once the deployment is confirmed

Debriefing

• Mission debrief: Intern will be expected to complete a debrief at the end of their mission. The debrief includes a Handover Document, a Mission Appraisal and a Deployment Feedback.
• End of mission Feedback and Handover report:The intern will provide a handover report to the line manager/s (including technical line management as applicable).

Education

• A university or professional school degree in an accounting or finance related area
• Trainings related to emergency operations
• Trainings of IFRC financial procedures, preferable
• Trainings on Gender, Diversity and Gender based Violence (GVB), preferable

Experience

• Working or volunteer experience within the Red Cross Movement and / or IFRC;
• 1+ years of professional experience in a finance or accounting department
• Working experience in emergency operation within the Red Cross Movement
• In-country contextual understanding and operational experience.
• Experience in capacity building and facilitating workshops and training
• Previous mobilization within the region as rapid response personnel, preferable

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Good communication skills.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Good stress management skills.
• Basic knowledge on main protection issues.
• Communication skills with high-level personnel.

Language

• Spanish, Spoken and Writing – Mandatory
• English, Spoken and Writing – Preferable

Competencies, Values and Comments

Submission Requirements

Interested Interns are invited to submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (CVs)
• NS President’s or General Director’s authorization to participate
• Certifications copies