Specialist, Regional Accelerating Information 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 (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs 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.”  IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. 

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 IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. 

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.

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

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 Regional Accelerating Information Management (AIM) Specialist is a member of Strategic Priority 2 – Evolving Crises and Disasters team, which works collaboratively with the other Strategic Priority teams in the Health Disaster Climate and Crisis (HDCC) unit and with other units in IFRC APRO, Geneva, CD and CCD counterparts towards: (i) managing an inclusive local-to-global IFRC-wide response system, built upon Movement learning, informed by industry best practices, and equipped for the future; (ii) delivering innovation in managing information for timely and comprehensive collation and analysis to inform IFRC operational and strategic decision making; (iii) ensuring evidence-based analysis of risks and capacities that supports better preparedness and more integrated, multi-sectoral, holistic approaches to response and recovery; (iv) profiling the work of the IFRC in the region across the preparedness-response-recovery continuum, highlighting the value added by the IFRC in strengthening community resilience; (v) expanding Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) access to more vulnerable communities and in response to small-scale, silent and forgotten disasters; (vi) delivering more transparency in procedures and decision-making, including through clear agreed standard operating procedures (SOPs); (vii) ensuring institutional readiness for disaster and crisis response; (viii) applying innovative approaches in disaster and crisis response and recovery operations; and (ix) instilling a culture of information management across the organization.

Job Purpose

Within the Information Management team at the Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO), this position will support the implementation of the Accelerating Information Management (AIM) project in the region. The main strategic objective of the AIM programme is to accelerate Information Management to strengthen the humanitarian data ecosystem within and beyond the IFRC network, linking local action to global systems. It focusses on building IM capacity in the National Societies through sustained workforce investment via Learning and Development resources and programmes and dedicated financial and technical support to selected NSs to improve on their IM capacities and processes.

With the support from Regional IM Coordinator, the Regional AIM Specialist will work closely in the implementation and coordination of the Accelerating Information Management programme, primarily funded by USAID BHA, with a particular focus on the “People” pillar.

In coordination with the global and regional AIM team, the Regional AIM Specialist guides the development, delivery and maintenance of the selection and implementation mechanisms to channel financial resources to National Societies under the AIM programme, including coordinating project agreements with National Societies and supporting National Societies with their project start-up.

The Regional AIM Specialist collaborates with National Societies, funders, partners and other key stakeholders to effectively strengthen IM capacities across the network, to roll out the IM learning & development component in the region, to nurture and expand the Asia Pacific Information Network (APIN), and to align activities in the region with the global objectives.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Project Management

• Oversee the delivery of the AIM project in the region. The Regional AIM Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that AIM projects are being implemented according to workplans and budgets and ensure timely information management and reporting.
• Coordinate and collaborate with Regional IM Coordinator, IM GVA team, other regional, targeted CD/CCD office and NSs as pertinent on project management and implementation of AIM project.
• Coordinate and disseminate the AIM Learning & Development program, including the dissemination and selection processes.
• Prepare accurate and timely AIM program reports in accordance with IFRC requirements, format, and standards.
• Coordinate the AIM funding to National Societies, including support NS proposals, NS selection, relationships, and project agreements.
• Contribute to development of project ideas and concepts together with regional IM team and other partners on NS capacity development.
• Implement project management best practices and methodologies to optimize efficiency.
• Contribute to the proposal writing development and advocate for the funding to support the IM programmes.

Coordination and Networking

• Build and maintain relationships with Red Cross Red Crescent information management experts in the IFRC GO network, IFRC APIN, and the IFRC SIMS network to gain access to relevant sources of data, and data/information services.
• Collaborate with stakeholders within the Movement – and where necessary with external agencies – to determine required data sets, agree on data sharing, define data gaps, and agree on collaboration in obtaining missing data.
• Establish and maintain functional networks and coordination with Movement partners, UN agencies and other humanitarian actors to ensure that IFRC is up to date on best practices and emerging trends related to information management.
• Collaborate with Red Cross Red Crescent colleagues within and outside the secretariat to ensure AIM initiatives are coherent and aligned with related work in other departments such as Digital Transformation, NSD and PMER/FDRS.
• Coordinate with the global team on the development, quality assurance, curation, translation, publishing, dissemination, adoption and adaptation of enhanced user-centred learning resources, job aids and tools for IFRC staff and National Societies to enhance their knowledge, skills, and operational efficiency in Information Management.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Information Management Capacity Strengthening

• Coordinate with the global AIM project members for the development and promoting of learning resources, training programs and workshops related to the IFRC IM Competency Framework. (e.g. data collection, management, and analysis techniques), enhancing the data-related skills and knowledge of staff, volunteers, and partners.
• Build on existing work on IM capacity strengthening and capacity sharing, ensuring a National Society and localisation focus.
• Facilitate dissemination of information management and data standards, procedures, and tools to IFRC offices and National Societies with the view of enhancing their data and information management capacities.
• Coordinate and facilitate workshop/training aimed at building data literacy at strategic and operational levels of the IFRC.
• Collaborate with regional IM team in capacity building activities to Movement members in the AP Region (both IFRC and NSs).
• Connect National Societies to job aids, learning resources and similar to strengthen their IM related capacities, plans and internal resources.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of functionalities in the GO Platform, establish guidelines and develop required materials for conducting GO briefings, workshops or resources to strengthen the IM team and National Societies.
• Work and coordinate closely with IM focal points in the region to ensure proper support to development of IM projects throughout the region.
• Coordinate with delivery partners and internal stakeholders to implement the AIM Learning and Development curriculum for selected individuals.

Community Building and Networking

• Reinforce and maintain the Asia Pacific Information Network (APIN), promoting activities such as meetings, forums, webinars or workshops to increase data and information literacy, as well as peer-to-peer support and two-way communication (connecting NSs to capacity strengthening opportunities and resources, dissemination of data standards and platform use, support needs and gaps).
• Cultivate and nurture the APIN to be positive and inclusive community environment, as well as engage with community members through various channels, fostering open communication.
• Plan and organize events, both online and offline, to strengthen community bonds, and develop and implement strategies to grow and diversify the community.
• Respond promptly to community inquiries, feedback, and concerns.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align community initiatives with organizational goals.
• Identify and amplify positive community stories and achievements.
• Monitor community trends and sentiment to proactively address issues or opportunities.
• Facilitate discussions, forums, or webinars to encourage knowledge-sharing and networking

Other Tasks

• Support the Regional IM Coordinator in ensuring all IM related mechanisms and products are constantly being monitored for relevancy and accessible to all users.
• Conduct tasks as assigned by the line manager.

Education

Required

• University degree in relevant area (disaster management, information management, project management, or related subject), or demonstrated equivalent experience, required

Preferred

• Training in the RC/RC global disaster response tools
• Recognised technical training in information and data management: data collection, management and visualisation, analysis, needs assessments or a related field

Experience

Required

• 7-10+ years of experience in program implementation, preferably in an international organisation
• Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation – including liaising with multiple stakeholders
• Experience in strategy development, developing tools and guidance, providing technical assistance and in establishing and maintaining networks
• Experience in building and working in a network and a remote team

Preferred

• Experience with Information Management implementation and coordination
• Field experience in working with a humanitarian organisation in an information management, information systems capacity, reporting or communications function
• At least two years’ experience in working within the RC/RC Movement

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Analytical skills and ability to think strategically
• Able to influence, communicate, co-operate and negotiate with a wide range of people and organizations
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with independent decision-making capacity
• Ability to formulate IM related technical requirements and operating procedures
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills with the ability to represent the International Federation and to negotiate and influence people’s opinions
• Strong partnership building skills, demonstrated capacity to build functional networks
• Flexible and adaptable to work effectively in a multicultural environment, and ability to travel at short notice
• Fluent spoken and written English

Preferred

• Knowledge of RC/RC and UN global disaster response tools
• Knowledge of data visualization and GIS tools, such as PowerBI, Tableau, and QGIS.
• Knowledge of data collection tools, such as KoBo
• Strong computer literacy skills with advanced skills in MS Excel
• 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 Societies and Customer Relations
• Creativity and Innovation
• Building Trust

Comments : Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted in the next recruitment steps and process.