Consultant Project Management And Collective Intelligence Initiatives - IFRC Innovation Team IFRC Solferino Academy

Organizational Context

The IFRC Solferino Academy aims to challenge and inspire the way people work, think, act and connect. It supports the IFRC network in transforming to be more fit for future and capable of thriving through the complex and dynamic changes occurring throughout the world in order to more effectively meet humanitarian and development challenges.

We do this in alignment with the transformation priorities of the IFRC Strategy 2030 and the IFRC Agenda for Renewal. The Academy is composed of three pillars: Leadership, a Think Tank and Innovation. While each of these areas is presented as distinct components, in reality all Solferino Academy initiatives address each of these three areas and are deeply interconnected. Our three areas of focus are;

We help leaders transform for the future

We support leadership in all its forms to develop the capabilities and insights needed to lead transformation, adaptation and to build systems and cultures for change.

We are a Think Tank for the IFRC Network

We provide platforms for new thinking and approaches where National Societies can learn from others and strengthen their own strategies and transformation processes.

We catalyse and promote Innovation

We develop initiatives that help promote innovation and the enabling environments necessary for it to thrive in our network.

The Projects Manager and Collective Intelligence Consultant will work within the Solferino Academy initiative and is remote-based, with some potential travel anticipated for the role.

Job Purpose

In 2025 the IFRC Solferino Academy is producing the World Disasters Report (WDR), on the theme of misinformation, disinformation and harmful information (MDH). To support this production the Solferino Academy will attempt to draw on the experiences and insights of the IFRC network, particularly volunteers and community members. The role will support the IFRC Solferino Academy to strengthen its approaches to network-based collective intelligence. There are currently over 100,000 stakeholders who subscribe to, follow or are signed up to email and WhatsApp lists of the Solferino Academy. The role will develop models and approaches to help convert this engagement into a more effective collective intelligence network, specifically on MDH. We are looking for experimental and cutting-edge approaches that will help us achieve these goals.

The role is also required to provide project management support to a number of initiatives within the Solferino Academy, including the WDR, a major think tank planned for Q4 2025 with more than 100 senior leaders from across the IFRC network alongside external experts. The role will also support other minor initiatives with project management including the Strategic Reorientation process of the IFRC and a leadership think tank for 20 people in Panama. Working with a range of technical specialists from the solferino academy, the role will help coordinate these projects and ensure timely delivery of key milestones.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

The key tasks for the role are;

Collective Intelligence

• Building the analysis completed from previous work on collective intelligence, develop a model and approach for the engagement with staff and volunteers of National Societies and their community members, to provide stories, insights and primary intelligence that can inform and complement the key themes of the WDR.
• Develop or source any specific tools that will be needed to carry out these tasks.
• Test the validity and feasibility of these tools and approaches with key stakeholders and use their feedback to inform recommendations.
• Implement the CI approach based on the content and research questions identified by the lead author and editor of the WDR, ensuring large scale contributions more than 1,000 participants from at least 80 countries.
• Alongside team members and AI/LLMs assist in analysing the inputs to provide insights for the WDR.
  
  
  

• Ensure that a sound project management approach is put in place for the WDR and Global think tanks.
• Oversee and ensure the successful completion of projects from start to finish, within budget and on time. This includes organizing, and directing project activities, designed through collaborative planning, while managing resources, people, and risks.
• Develop project plans, assist in defining scope, goals, and deliverables in collaboration with stakeholders. Create and maintain project schedules, tracking progress, and identifying and addressing potential delays or risks.
• Act as a point of contact for stakeholders and the project team, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
• Develop easy to use spreadsheets and other digital collaboration tools as necessary to facilitate coordination and communication.
• Schedule, facilitate, chair and report on team meetings, creative sessions and other key project collaboration mechanisms as required.
• Ensure that the Head of the Solferino Academy is regularly updated on progress of the initiatives and is advised of any potential risks to the projects in a timely manner.
  
  
  

• Some experience in humanitarian data and information management practices, including humanitarian and research ethics in the management and utilisation of data.
• Experience working at global scale and familiarity with the complexity of supporting and engaging with highly diverse communities across multiple languages and regions.
• Some experience with innovation methodologies.
• Experience with a range of approaches to collective intelligence mechanisms, particularly those with highly diverse, multi-linguistic global communities.
• Significant Data management skills and experience, including analysing data and statistical inputs to draw out insights and recommendations.
• Capacity and experience managing highly complex projects with deadlines, donor requirements and accountability mechanisms.
  
  
  

• Advanced project management skills in the humanitarian context and with highly distributed and diverse team members.
• Familiarity with a range of digital collaboration tools and the ability to apply them to facilitate and coordinate the contributions of multiple stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of and ability to connect well into the RCRC network across all regions.
• Very strong capacity to liaise with multiple stakeholders and manage relationships effectively
• Ability to communicate effectively in English and at least one other language of the IFRC
• Able to start immediately and work according to tight timelines on multiple projects.
• Excellent written and oral communication, organizational and presentation skills.
• Strong marketing, communications and/or community engagement skills.
• Proactive attitude to problem solving. “Can do attitude” required.
• Highly creative, dynamic and flexible, as well as being a strong planner, who is highly organised and able to bring clarity to complex processes.
• Ability to work as a part of a team and with multiple stakeholders and partners from different cultures and professional specialties.
• Excellent cross-cultural knowledge and understanding.