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.
The 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). Its work is guided by the fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
The IFRC Secretariat, led by the Secretary General and headquartered in Geneva, is organized into four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination, (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, (iii) Management and Accountability, and (iv) People and Strategy. The Secretariat operates through five regional offices in Africa, Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East and North Africa, as well as country cluster delegations and country delegations worldwide.
The IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct 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.
Within the Americas region, the IFRC maintains a Country Cluster Delegation in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, serving the Dutch- and English-speaking Caribbean. The delegation supports, represents, and strengthens the National Societies of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Hosted within the Port of Spain Country Cluster Delegation, the Caribbean Disaster Risk Management Reference Centre (CaDRiM) serves as a regional hub for disaster risk management learning, training, and knowledge sharing. CaDRiM plays a pivotal role in strengthening Caribbean resilience by promoting evidence-based decision-making, facilitating the exchange of good practices, and continuously adapting training to evolving risks and operational realities.
To advance this mandate, CaDRiM seeks to engage a Research (Learning and Knowledge Management) Officer who will lead regional efforts in evidence-based planning, learning and training coordination. The Officer will play a key role in capturing and integrating lessons from operations, ensuring the delivery of practical and targeted training initiatives, and embedding the systematic use of evidence to enhance disaster preparedness, planning, and response across the Caribbean.
Job Purpose
The Research (Learning and Knowledge Management) Officer will strengthen disaster preparedness and response across the Caribbean by ensuring that lessons from past operations are consistently captured, analysed and applied to improve future actions. Working through CaDRiM, the officer will guide regional learning efforts, support the use of evidence in planning and coordinate practical training that builds the skills and confidence of National Societies and communities. By transforming operational experience into clear guidance, tools and improved practices, the role will help create stronger and more resilient systems across the region.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Learning and Knowledge Sharing:
- Lead the design and delivery of a regional learning initiative that promotes peer exchange, highlight innovations and capture practical lessons from recent disaster responses.
- Coordinate the collection and documentation of case studies, operational reviews and other learning inputs from National Societies to ensure a diverse and representative knowledge base.
- Produce a concise regional lessons learned report and develop accessible knowledge products, including briefs, infographics and short digital features for use by practitioners and partners.
Evidence-Based Planning:
- Develop a practical planning framework and guidance note that draw on operational learning, data and good practice to support stronger preparedness and response planning.
- Pilot the framework with selected National Societies and provide tailored technical support to help them review and update contingency or preparedness plans.
- Organise and facilitate a regional planning workshop to validate the framework, share country experiences and promote consistent, evidence-based planning approaches across the Caribbean.
- Translate findings from post-disaster reviews into simple checklists, templates and tools that support clear, timely decision-making at national and community levels.
- Ensure planning tools and guidance align with regional and international disaster risk reduction standards and frameworks.
Training Coordination and Capacity Strengthening:
- Plan, coordinate and supervise regional training activities for Red Cross-National Societies that reinforce community and national disaster preparedness and response capacities.
- Review and adapt existing training materials to reflect current evidence, evolving risks and local contexts, and integrate interactive methods such as tabletop exercises and scenario-based practice.
- Monitor and document training outcomes through surveys, interviews and follow-up engagement to assess changes in readiness and identify areas for improvement.
- Develop a regional training plan for Red Cross-National Societies outlining schedules, delivery methods, partner roles and follow-up actions for sustained capacity strengthening.
Cross-Cutting Learning and Talent Support Functions for IFRC POS CCD:
- Support the coordination and delivery of regional learning activities, including assisting with training design, materials and guidance for Human Resource Business Partners (HRBPs) and subject-matter experts.
- Support performance management activities by helping identify training needs, coaching HRBPs and managers on the process, and tracking timely completion of appraisals.
- Contribute to career development and staff engagement efforts by supporting development planning, succession discussions and activities that strengthen the employee experience.
General Responsibilities:
- Maintain regular communication with National Societies, partners and IFRC teams to ensure coordinated, consistent and timely implementation of learning, planning and training activities.
- Contribute to reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements by providing accurate updates on progress, challenges and results.
- Uphold IFRC policies, including safeguarding, integrity, accountability and the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)
- Bachelor’s degree in education, training and development, Information Technology, or a related discipline- REQUIRED
- Formal training in instructional design, monitoring and evaluation, or adult learning. - PREFERRED
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in education, training and development, Information Technology, or a related discipline- REQUIRED
- Formal training in instructional design, monitoring and evaluation, or adult learning- PREFERRED
Experience
REQUIRED
- At least 3 years of experience in learning and development, knowledge management, disaster risk management, or programme coordination.
- Experience supporting training design, facilitation, or capacity-building initiatives, preferably in a humanitarian or development context.
- Experience collecting, analysing and synthesising information (e.g., lessons learned, case studies, operational reviews).
- Experience supporting planning processes, workshops or multi-stakeholder coordination activities.
PREFERRED
- Experience working with National Societies, government agencies, NGOs or regional organisations in the Caribbean.
- Experience with monitoring training outcomes or programme results.
Knowledge, Skills and Languages
REQUIRED
- Strong understanding of disaster preparedness, disaster response and community resilience concepts.
- Basic familiarity with evidence-based planning, learning methodologies and adult learning principles.
- Ability to synthesise complex information into clear, user-friendly knowledge products.
- Strong training coordination skills, including logistics, participant engagement and follow-up.
- Excellent writing, editing and presentation skills. Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines and work with diverse stakeholders.
- Fluently spoken and written English
PREFERRED
- Proficiency in producing briefs, infographics, summaries or similar communication materials.
- Confidence using digital tools for learning, collaboration and data collection (e.g., virtual platforms, survey tools, shared workspaces).
- Ability to work independently, while maintaining strong communication and collaboration with remote and regional teams.
- 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 Society and Customer Relations; Creativity and Innovation, Building Trust
- FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: Strategic Orientation, Building Alliances; Empowering others
