The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 190 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.

Archives contribute to the organization in three main ways. They foster and facilitate: 1. Organizational Memory: as evidence of past actions, the archives can help to avoid duplication of effort by acting as sources of information on key issues or problems that the Federation faces again and again. 2. Historical Research: the archives are everyday business records that have been preserved, so they can give a researcher a closer look at the way the Federation operated in the past than any other source. 3. Accountability: the archives can be checked to ensure that the activities and responsibilities that have been entrusted to the Federation have been carried out as effectively as possible.

                               

The Federation is looking to hire an archival studies student for 13 weeks to work on an archival arrangement and description project. The project will be suitable for a student going into the second year of archives studies. The student must be able to read French, as some of the records are only in French. The student will have to work fairly independently, and often with limited supervision.

           

- Appraise (in consultation with supervisor) records in storage to determine which should be transferred to the Archives. - Arrange and describe the records, and enter the descriptions into a database. - Assess the physical condition of the records and identify those requiring conservation treatment. - Re-box and re-file the records.

                                                

Completion of first year of archival studies.

           

Must be able to read French. Ability to speak French is useful but is not essential.

                           

Competencies: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and Decision Making; Creativity and Innovation; Values: Respect for Diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

           

Applicants may be requested to complete written exercises and/or be interviewed. The basic internship is intended for young people pursuing university level education to gain work experience in the area of their education. The basic intern must meet the following criteria: - Be currently-enrolled in a university or equivalent level, or have graduated recently (normally within 1 year from the date of hiring) in an area that is compatible with the IFRC activities. A minimum requirement is an endorsement letter attesting to the fact that the intern is currently a registered student and will continue to be enrolled for the envisaged period of the internship. Remuneration: - A daily allowance is paid to interns for each day worked at the IFRC at the end of each months (75CHF per day worked). - Costs and arrangements for travel, accommodation, visas, insurance and living expenses are the sole responsibility of interns themselves.