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 that can navigate uncertain futures.
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 Global Visual Design Lead/Art Director Consultant will work within the IFRC Solferino Academy initiative and is remote-based.
The position is full time 5 days per week with a strong likelihood of extension but dependent on the final confirmation of additional funding, and it is home-based.
Job Purpose
The consultant will lead in all development of digital products and tools to help the IFRC Solferino Academy to deliver the Locally led climate action summit in the week of the 16th September. This includes contributing to strategy and execution of a range of products to help attract engagement throughout the network for the summit. The intention is to develop highly engaging communication strategies and products that encourage people to apply for the innovation competition being held in conjunction with the summit, promote attendance and participation in the summit from the IFRC network and beyond, and support the development of a digital platform that hosts the summit. Visual design will be a strong component of this role.
The position will play a key role (alongside the IFRC Solferino Academy project lead) in designing and developing Network engagement strategies and approaches and in managing key communications approaches for the Summit, particularly those relating to the solferino academy tasks.
There will also be a need to edit and publish videos or design animations products for videos, shorts, gifs and other products for online use. The work also requires utilising and at times building a number of web and digital based tools to help provide channels for stakeholders of the IFRC network to contribute to the initiative, as well as some creative communications tools to help with driving broader engagement.
This is a consultancy to support the IFRC Solferino Academy teams to deliver high quality results in our communications for change efforts.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
In collaboration with the IFRC Solferino Academy team, in particular communications colleagues and content leads, National Societies, IFRC colleagues and external partners such as Monash Universities;
Strategy
- Alongside key staff and managers, help design and develop communications and engagement strategies for the IFRC network, with a particular focus on highly creative and innovative strategies that deliver major engagement with key stakeholders and the locally led climate action summit.
- Liaise with and work in collaboration with key partner relationships who are focused on contributing to engagement strategies, design and tools, including but not limited to Mosaic at Monash University.
- Build project plans, deliverables and subsequently monitor and manage those plans ensuring that all activities are delivered on time and to agreed quality.
- Report regularly to the head of the solferino academy, communications coordinator and the project lead on any key issues emerging that can affect project deliverables.
Visual Design and Art Direction
- Design all visual design and branding needs for products that the Solferino Academy requires to facilitate the engagement into the locally led climate action summit.
- Execute and implement creative digital products that will cut through to reach a large number of people in all countries of the world, across multiple languages.
- Build videos and if required edit the video contributions of others to represent brand consistency and professional designs that faithfully represent the voices of the network and that will deliver engagement results in key channels including social media.
- Lead visual design of any required report and document formats, and manage all elements of formatting, lay out and production of the reports for both physical and digital versions of solferino academy products.
- Collaborate with other visual and graphic designers within the IFRC and Monash. Ensure they have the resources, guidance and templates necessary for their work and that the products of the Solferino Academy align with relevant design guides.
Web and Digital Platforms
- Manage the solferinoacademy.com website including to build web-based pages, surveys, content and other products to promote engagement with the climate summit.
- Regularly advise the communications coordinator, head of solferino academy and project lead on engagement trends, insights and statistics for the website, and advise on new strategies to strengthen engagement.
- Identify, manage and help source additional digital platforms as needed for specific initiatives and projects.
- Support additional web developers, coders and other technical volunteers and staff on loan who are contributing to products for the Climate Summit including particularly Monash, ensuring that their work meets the standards and specifications of the products and tools required for solferino academy projects.
- Assist with moderating and updating various Solferino Academy social media channels and produce / encourage engaging content, ensuring quality also in user-generated posts.
- Work closely with communications teams (Solferino Academy, IFRC, National Societies, external partners) to ensure all appropriate communications products are developed and disseminated in a timely fashion.
- Attend various project team meetings as requested.
Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)
Reporting to
Head of Solferino Academy and Solferino Academy Project Lead but working closely with the Solferino Academy communications coordinator a range of teams in the IFRC departments, the RCRC Climate Centre and the wider IFRC Secretariat if required.
Time period
22 days (03 August t 18 September 2026).
Education
Preferred
- A university degree or other study in communications and multimedia is preferable, but not essential. Practical experience, creativity and passion is highly valued.
Experience
Required
- Experience managing projects that require timely delivery on digital and visual design elements.
- Experience with cross-media campaigning, signage design, type design, animation.
- Experience with event design and particularly visual elements.
Knowledge, Skills and Languages
Required
- Able to manage relationships with partners, particularly those in digital and design fields, and demonstrated experience maintaining productive relationships with these partners, creating environments that enable ongoing contributions and collaborations.
- Ability to convert complex information into simple and compelling visual storytelling.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and design packages (or similar), and knowledge of emerging visual design tools.
- Web design and strong development proficiency with Word Press.
- Expertise with digital and social media communications and digital platform engagement.
- Expertise with a range of digital tools that enable registration and content engagement from the network.
- Expertise with report design, formatting and publishing to highly professional standards.
- Expertise with video editing, production and design, including narrative storytelling.
- Expertise in graphic/visual design, marketing, knowledge management and/or internal communications strategies.
- Highly developed graphic concept creation.
- Highly familiar with the Red Cross and Red Crescent network and its approaches to campaigning, communicating, events and branding.
- Proactive attitude to problem solving. “Can do attitude”.
- Highly creative, dynamic and flexible and willingness to experiment with new approaches.
- Knowledge of and ability to keep up with trends and practices in digital communications.
- Ability to work to tight deadlines and function as a supportive member of a multi-functional team.
Languages
Required
- Excellent written and oral communication, organizational and presentation skills in English.
- Proficiency in at least one other IFRC language (written and spoken French, Spanish or Arabic) is essential.
Competencies, Values and Comments
Application Instruction
Please submit your application in English only.
