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 Consultant Strategic Intelligence will work within the Solferino Academy initiative and is remote-based, with some travel anticipated for the role.
Job Purpose
The consultant advisor for Strategic Intelligence will support the Head of the IFRC Solferino Academy to drive strategic coherence and delivery across the Solferino Academy's leadership, foresight, innovation, and governance work, with a focus on strengthening these capabilities across the global network of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The role will help the Academy ensure that learning, capability building, and knowledge generation in these areas translate into tangible improvements for all National Societies and the Secretariat. The role will help to build innovative and leading-edge knowledge and thought within the Solferino Academy and for the IFRC Network. Utilising research, strategic foresight, think tanks and networks of leaders and experts of varying disciplines including those with lived experience, it will drive cutting edge humanitarian thinking and dialogue across the sector that can help position and transform the work of the IFRC Network. In doing so, the role will accelerate results and impacts across the global Network and help ensure the IFRC fulfils its Strategy 2030 and IFRC Renewal ambitions.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Coherence
- Collaborate within the Academy to support core work in leadership, foresight, innovation, and governance, helping the teams to build strategic alignment and mutually reinforce each of the approaches.
- Support the Head of the Solferino Academy to translate the Academy's vision and 3-year strategy into clear priorities, workplans, and measurable outcomes.
Knowledge and Thought
- With key colleagues in the Academy, develop an agenda of the Think Tanks that can inform key strategic priorities of the IFRC and help shape high-level agendas, including to support utilisation of strategic foresight.
- Work closely with the Coordinators of Leadership and Communications to ensure that cutting edge thought can be engaged with by key stakeholders and can be utilised to inform strategic decision making. Help ensure that the insights from thought production built in the Academy are informing and driving all initiatives within the Solferino Academy and influencing Secretariat approaches.
- Review the Academy’s research and intelligence activities including those enabling collective community intelligence and provide recommendations to strengthen the approaches and ensure more research rigour and network reach.
- Where required design and facilitate strategy and planning sessions for key stakeholders including Secretariat teams and NSs.
Capability Building & Learning
- Support the design and delivery of capability-building programmes to drive measurable improvement across National Societies.
- Ensure learning and knowledge generation are systematically embedded into the Academy's work and shared effectively across the global network.
- Encourage a culture of continuous learning and evidence-based practice within the Solferino Academy.
Partnerships & External Engagement
- Identify, and develop, partnerships that extend the Academy's reach and impact, particularly in areas of thought leadership and innovation.
Evidence, Impact & Prioritisation
- Strengthen the Academy's approach to impact measurement, ensuring robust frameworks are in place to assess and communicate results.
- Promote evidence-based prioritisation across the Academy's portfolio, making the case for investment in highest-impact activities.
- Produce and oversee high-quality strategic analysis, reports, and recommendations for internal and external audiences, in particular for the IFRC Governing Board Advisory Group and for the IFRC leadership team.
Reporting to:
Innovation Lead and Head of Solferino Academy.
Time period:
40 days from 19 October 2026 to 11 December 2026.
Experience
Required
- Substantial expertise and experience as a sector leader in humanitarian thought and innovation and highly advanced knowledge in global humanitarian issues.
- Significant experience advising and supporting executive leaders on matters of Strategy, Innovation and Humanitarian policy.
- Some experience with futures and foresight methodologies.
- Experience with analysing research inputs, consultations, surveys and other data and an ability to draw highly relevant and insightful analysis that can help inform strategy of a global network.
Knowledge, Skills and Languages
Required
- 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.
- Strong external innovation and humanitarian thought leader networks.
- Ability to communicate effectively in English and ideally 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 community engagement skills.
- Proactive attitude to problem solving. “Can do attitude” required.
- Highly creative, dynamic and flexible.
- Knowledge of and ability to keep up with trends and practices in innovation and all technical aspects related to this.
- Ability to work as a part of a team and with multiple stakeholders and partners.
- Excellent cross cultural knowledge and understanding.
LANGUAGES
Required
- Ability to communicate effectively in English and ideally at least one other language of the IFRC.
Competencies, Values and Comments
Application Instruction
Please submit your application in English only.
The closing date and time for this vacancy are based on Geneva time. Applications must be submitted by 23:59 (11:59 PM) Geneva time on the advertised closing date.
