Intern, Risk Management

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

The 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.

In the Dutch and English-speaking Caribbean, IFRC maintains a Country Cluster Delegation in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The Port of Spain Country Cluster Delegation facilitates regional and international support to, cooperation between, representation of, and strengthening of the National Societies of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Risk Management Intern will be based in the Port of Spain Country Cluster Delegation office situated in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Job Purpose

This internship will provide the incumbent with valuable exposure to the IFRC’s global risk management methodology and practical experience in using risk registers as a management tool, helping them build an understanding of the risk function within the organization.

The intern will have the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from the National Society Development unit, supporting the compilation of risk information related to National Society capacity, governance, integrity, compliance, sustainability, and control frameworks.

Overall, the role will involve assisting in the preparation, updating, and monitoring of risk registers across multiple levels. Thes includes at the regional, country and office levels, along with donor‑funded projects. The intern will also provide support in strengthening internal controls, compliance, and risk‑informed decision‑making.

Importantly, while the intern supports the risk function, risk ownership remains with management and designated risk owners at all times; the intern’s role is to facilitate and provide support, without owning or bearing accountability for risks.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Risk Register Maintenance

Assist with the preparation and regular updating of risk registers for:

• The national societies of the English-speaking Caribbean and Suriname
• The Port of Spain Country Cluster Delegation
• The Jamaica Country Office
• Donor-funded projects, including those requiring dedicated risk registers
• Support consistency checks in risk categorization, scoring (likelihood and impact), and formatting across all registers
• Help maintain and organize the centralized repository of risk registers and ensure version control

Risk Monitoring and Reporting

• Support the monitoring of risk mitigation measures by collecting updates from risk owners.
• Assist in tracking changes in risk levels and update net (residual) risk ratings accordingly
• Support the preparation of risk summaries, dashboards, and periodic reports for management and donor reporting
• Help identify and highlight emerging or escalating risks for timely management attention

Compliance and Internal Control

• Support alignment of risk registers with IFRC policies, frameworks, and donor compliance requirements
• Provide support in documentinginternal controls and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) linked to key risk areas (finance, procurement, HR, operations)
• Assist with audit preparedness tasks such as organizaing risk documentation, keeping itup-to-date and accessible

Coordination and Capacity Support

• Provide support in liaising with programme, finance, and administration teams across the region to collect and validate risk information
• Assist in the preparation of simple orientation material on the use of risk registers as management tools for decision-making, prioritization, escalation, and follow-up of mitigation actions, and risk-informed planning
• Contribute to initiatives that promote risk awareness and accountability within the office and supported countries.

Data Management and Analysis

• Assit in compiling and conducting basic analysis of risk data to identify trends and recurring issues
• Support integration of risk considerations into planning, budgeting, and reporting processes

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Finance, Audit, Business Administration, or related field. Knowledge of control frameworks and risk standards such as ISO 31000 and/or COSO is an advantage when selecting candidates. (Required)

Experience

• No prior professional experience required (internship-level)
• Exposure to risk management, audit, compliance, or project management is an asset

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

(All Required)

• Basic understanding of risk management frameworks and concepts
• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple datasets
• Fluent spoken and written English

(Preferred)

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Values: respect for diversity, integrity, professionalism, accountability
• Core Competencies: communication, collaboration and teamwork, judgement and decision making, National Society and customer relations, creativity and innovation, building trust