Internship, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)

Organizational Context

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.    

The Health, Disaster, Climate and Crisis (HDCC) Department 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 HDCC 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 HDCC 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

As a WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) intern at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), your role will 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, supporting and contributing to various WASH projects and programs.

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 Regional WASH Coordinator on the following specific tasks and objectives, and they may vary depending on the needs of the organization and ongoing projects, but here are some common responsibilities you may encounter:

• Project Support: Assist in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of WASH projects, which may include emergency response activities, community-based programs, or long-term development initiatives.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Help gather relevant data and information on water supply, sanitation facilities, hygiene practices, and related health indicators. Conduct analysis and contribute to reports to inform decision-making and program improvement.
• Capacity Building: Support the development and delivery of training sessions, workshops, and awareness campaigns to enhance the knowledge and skills of staff, volunteers, and community members in WASH-related areas.
• Consult with the Reference Center for Institutional Emergency Preparedness in all learning and capacity building topics relationship with gender and leadership strategy implementation.
• Documentation and Reporting: Assist in the preparation of project documentation, including progress reports, case studies, success stories, and lessons learned. Contribute to the development of communication materials to raise awareness about WASH issues and IFRC’s work.
• Research and Innovation: Stay updated on emerging trends, best practices, and technological advancements in the WASH sector. Contribute to research initiatives and explore innovative approaches to address WASH challenges effectively.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate with other departments within the IFRC and external partners, such as WASH LAC Regional Group, NGOs, and UN agencies, to ensure coordinated and integrated approaches to WASH programming.
• Other tasks that are not necessary identified but may be needed.

Remember, these tasks and objectives may vary based on the specific needs of the IFRC and the projects to which you are assigned. Make sure to communicate with your supervisor or mentor to align your work with the organization’s goals and objectives.

Learning Outcomes

• Disaster WASH Management experience, Urban WASH, Development WASH, WASH in Public Health (DREF, Emergency Appeals, Surge System, CVA Program, Information Management, Planning, monitoring, and evaluation)

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

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:

All expenses incurred as a result of this internship will be covered by the IFRC Americas Regional Office, including food, transportation, lodging, insurance, and airline tickets.

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 ([email protected])
• 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 misconduct. As such, security breaches may have disciplinary consequences, up to and including the immediate termination of the assignment or mission.

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 where 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.

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: [email protected]

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 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.

Education

• University degree on Social Sciences, Political Sciences and/or related academic knowledge with gender and diversity.
• Trainings related to emergency WASH.
• Trainings related to emergency operations.
• Trainings on Gender, Diversity and Gender based Violence (GVB).
• Trainings on Child Protection.
• Trainings on Disability Inclusion. Trainings related to emergency CEA.

Experience

• Working or volunteer experience within the Red Cross Movement and / or IFRC.
• Working experience in emergency operation within the Red Cross Movement
• Previous mobilization within the region as rapid response personnel
• 1 year Working experience or cooperation projects in GVB, Child protection or related.
• Leadership experience.
• In-country contextual understanding and operational experience.
• Experience in capacity building and facilitating workshops and training.
• First-hand experience with collecting and systematizing data.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Effective 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

VALUES:Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

CORE COMPETENCIES:Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and Decision Making; National Societies and Customer Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust