Environment And Disaster Management Intern At International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies

Organizational Context

Project objectives

Nature-based solutions (NbS), are actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use and manage natural or modified terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems, which address social, economic and environmental challenges effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being, ecosystem services and resilience and biodiversity benefits (UNEA5, 2022)

They can include the protection and restoration of forests and mangroves, agroforestry, the conservation or restoration of wetlands, or the creation of urban green spaces… These approaches have recently gained much traction as they address both climate adaptation and mitigation challenges, among many other benefits, such as Disaster Risk Reduction.

NbS are a priority area of work for the IFRC. The IFRC Plan and Budget 2021-2025 recognises the importance of NbS under the Strategic Priority on Climate and Environmental Crises. NbS are also a focus of the IFRC’s Global Climate Resilience Platform, which aims to catalyse accelerated investment and support for locally-led climate action that reaches the most vulnerable.

For years, National Societies in the Asia-Pacific region have been working with nature in a variety of community support activities and today they are looking to position themselves as key players in the region. To do so it is necessary to have a clear picture of the regulatory framework they will be working in at national level, and specifically how Nature based solutions are considered in the Disaster Risk Reduction legal framework.

The internship will cover the following countries: Bangladesh, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Philippines, Fiji

Job Purpose

Learning objectives:

• Further understanding of the relationship between environmental issues and disasters, including but not limited to environmentally responsible disaster risk reduction, and nature-based and natural resource management issues related to the built environment.
• Strengthen research and communication skills.
• Experience working in a dynamic, collaborative team.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Desing a screening tool to assess the legal framework of five countries on the use of nature in disaster risk reduction: National DL framework assessment, hazard selection vs multi hazards, legal definitions used, policy level (national vs local), NbS uses categorization (how it is seen by the government: Conservation, restoration, etc..) , Community engagement / Indigenous knowledge…. The tools should allow identifying Legislative, institutional gaps and barriers.
• Conduct literature research related to regulatory frameworks for the use of Nature-based Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction in the 5 selected countries.
• Produce a comparative analysis of regulatory frameworks for the use of Nature-based Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction in the 5 selected countries.
• Produce a database of key documents analyzed.

Education

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree (completed or in process) is required, with focus in any combination of communications, environmental/natural resources management, conservation sciences, urban planning, climate change, disaster/emergency management and/or development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree and/or work experience in environmental/natural resources management, conservation sciences, urban planning, climate change, disaster/emergency management and/or development is preferred but not required.

Experience

• Experience working with local government, environmental policy topics is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Excellent research and written/oral communications skills.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Strong computer skills, especially Microsoft Office, Word Press or other website platforms.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous projects and work independently.
• Curiosity, creative and innovative thinking.
• A commitment to the mission, goals and values of IFRC.

Competencies, Values and Comments

Deployment conditions and duration

Home based, 3 months starting July 2024, extendable if required.

Reporting Lines

• IFRC APRO Regional Disaster Law and Engagement Coordinator
• IFRC APRO Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Coordinator