INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION

Role:Policy & Practice Intern

Reports to:Vice President Europe& Deputy Executive Director

Location:London, UK

Duration:5 days pw from Feb 6th – April7th2017

Stipend:London Living Wage

IRC Background

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian relief and development organisations. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, theIRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people survive, recover and rebuild their lives. The IRC delivers emergency aid, protects children, provides health care, prevents and responds to violence against women and girls, safeguards human rights and helps to kick-start economic recovery. Workingin more than 35 countries, the IRC has restored hope and opportunity to many millions of people.

Our European headquarters office was established in London in 1997 to support the organisation’s global activities and particularly to diversify its donor base and be able to better advocate with European policy-makers on behalf of the people we serve.

IRC-UK comprises approximately 90 staff across five departments: Policy and Practice; Revenue; Finance and Administration and Awards Management, andTechnical Units.

Overall objectiveof the role:

The IRC Europe office will be going through a busy period of key events over the next 2 months. These will require dedicated support by a conscientious and hard working individual with the interest and the drive to learn more about the humanitarian sector, with a fast paced and collaborative team at the IRC.

The Policy& Practice intern will work with the Policy& Advocacy and Communications teams that form the Policy& Practice departmentto ensure the successful delivery and organisation of events in Brussels, Berlin and London on priority areas for the IRC under its Europe strategy. The position holder will be expected totake responsibility for a range of administrative and logistical tasks, as well as contributing towards policy and advocacy and communications activities around the research, design, content and materials for the events and other key reports.

The Policy& Practice Intern while reporting to the VP Europe, will be expected to support work across the two teams mentioned, and will be tasked to work on particular assignments under the supervision of either the Associate Director of Policy& Advocacy or the Associate Director of Communications. The role will also need to liaise with other departments and offices in IRC Europe including Fundraising, IRC Belgium and IRC Deutschland as required to support deliver of key events and report publications.

Specific Responsibilities:

Events preparation and management

  • Taking the lead in issuing invitations, monitoring responses, chasing delegates for responses, confirming attendance and responding to delegate enquiries about the logistics of the event day.
  • Finding and liaising with the venues, either directly or through Brussels, London and Berlin colleagues,to ensure appropriate rooms are booked and equipment and catering are provided.
  • Arranging travel for IRC staff and delegates.
  • Liaising with speakers regarding logistical arrangements, AV (Audio Visiual) requirements etc.
  • Attend the conferences and take responsibility during the events for operational logistics, such as managing reception, ensuring the event runs on time, AV equipment is available and functioning and overseeing the catering.
  • Ensure all materials get prepared, transported, set up and cleared up at the venue on the day (such as the day’s programme, name badges, and any IRC material)

Research, policy development & preparation of materials

  • Work with the key staff in Policy& Practiceto review and create appropriate materials for the events to highlight IRC’s work and our position on the issues (agendas, presentations, reports, talking points, etc).
  • Conduct research as required on current debates around the issues and leading policy makers and academics working in the field.
  • Work with Policy & Advocacy Officer on desk research, drafting of advocacy materials and other required activities related to IRC Europe’s advocacy priorities in 2017.
  • Additional research, communications and policy development support to the Policy & Practice department as required.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will:

  • Be exceptionally well organised, with a very good eye for detail when organising events, and a great multi-tasker
  • Ability to undertake research quickly and write under pressure.
  • Plan ahead and keep track.
  • Be an excellent communicator.
  • Have an understanding of international development and experience of researching and writing about the issues covered.
  • Awareness and understanding of humanitarian and migration issues.
  • Ability to coordinate with various groups and offices remotely and work under pressure while remaining calm.
  • French speaker (desirable).

To Apply

Please send a CV (two pages maximum) and cover page (two pages maximum) to:

Please state clearly in your cover letter:

  • Your reasons for applying
  • How you meet the skills, knowledge and experience specified in the person specification part of the job description
  • Where you saw the job advertised

The closing date is: 10am on Thursday 2nd February 2017.

In order to minimise administrative costs, IRC-UK will only contact short-listed candidates.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

IRC-UK strives to be an equal opportunities employer. IRC-UK is committed to equality of opportunity and to non-discrimination for all job applicants and employees, and we seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce regardless of gender, race, religious beliefs, nationality, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.