Senior Learning Officer

Organizational Context

This role is a national position which can be outposted to Kuala Lumpur or Panama City.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies 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 delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

Job Purpose

IFRC is looking to recruit two Senior Learning officers, with division of labour being done based on the profiles and language skills of the selected candidates. The Senior Learning Officer will support IFRC’s continuous efforts to improve humanitarian response by addressing performance gaps of the personnel.

The Senior Learning Officer works collaboratively with Global Surge Learning team, IFRC HQ and regional offices, and National Societies, partners and other key stakeholders to effectively fulfil the responsibilities.

Within the Surge Learning Team, this position will support:

• The roll-out and implementation of the IM Learning and Development fellowship in the regions. 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 (80% of time).
• Key surge training events (online and offline), including methodological and admin support, as well as event management (20% of time).

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Coordination of the IM Learning and Development fellowship:

• Roll-out and coordinate the Information Management Fellowship project in five regions. The Senior Learning Officer will be responsible for ensuring that the Fellowship is implemented according to the workplan and budget. This includes recruiting participants and mentors, coordinating all the stages of the fellowship from the launch to evaluation.
• Ensure timely information management and reporting in accordance with IFRC requirements, format, and standards.
• Manage the Fellowship communication strategy.
• Coordinate and collaborate with Regional IM Coordinators, IM GVA team, other regional, targeted CD/CCD office and NSs as pertinent on project management and implementation of the Fellowship.
• 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, PMER, and L&D initiatives.
• Support development and promoting of learning resources, enhancing the data-related skills and knowledge of staff, volunteers, and partners.
• Manage the Fellowship community: plan and organize events, respond promptly to community inquiries, feedback, and concerns; monitor community trends and sentiment to proactively address issues or opportunities; facilitate discussions and forums to encourage knowledge-sharing and networking.

Development and delivery of key surge training:

• Assure quality of learning initiatives by providing methodological support and minimum standards for restructuring existing or developing new learning solutions.
• Manage portfolio of surge learning needs across the organisation and provide tools for existing and potential Rapid Response members (learning pathways, training calendar).
• Support the Facilitators’ network by reviewing the requirements for facilitators, identifying gaps, and providing resources for facilitators including facilitator`s guides and training.
• Link and engage regularly with Reference Centres, IFRC technical departments, National Societies, and other external stakeholders as needed.
• Advance knowledge management efforts by creating, curating, and disseminating learning tools and a central depository of learning resources (training curricula, materials, etc.).

Contribute to an effective, high quality Surge Learning Team:

• Be accountable to the Lead, Surge Learning by providing progress reports on results against objectives.
• Be flexible in your work definition according to needs and targets and improve team efficiency and effectiveness within available resources
• Be a pro-active team member fostering a customer-service-oriented culture that values proactivity, continuous improvement, innovation, high performance and cost-effectiveness
• Foster a co-creative environment with colleagues in the secretariat HQ, regions and the National Societies and ensure an open and co-operative view to the actors in the relevant external environment
• Share and promote good practice, continuous learning and knowledge sharing between the IFRC and NSs and between colleagues
• Support fundraising and development efforts of the team.
• Conduct tasks as assigned by the line manager.

Note: Flexible working hours might be required to collaborate with partners in different time zones. Willingness to relocate and to travel extensively can be required as well. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Duties applicable to all staff
1. Work actively towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals.
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.3. Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Education

Required

• Degree level (or equivalent qualification) in Social Science, Adult Education, Pedagogy, Information Management, or another relevant subject.

Experience

Required

• At least 5-years’ experience in project coordination, ideally in the field of learning and development, capacity strengthening and training; 

Preferred

• At least 3-years’ experience in humanitarian emergency response

• At least 3-years’ experience in information management (collection, management, analysis and dissemination of data and information);

• Previous experience in developing and delivering learning programmes, fellowships, courses;  

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Required

• Strong project management skills
• Flexible and adaptable to work effectively in diverse cultural settings;
• Analytical and strategic thinking;
• Excellent networking and relationship building skills;
• Excellent oral and written communications skills;
• Willingness to travel frequently if needed.

Preferred

• Strong knowledge of adult learning principles and methods;
• Understanding of the RCRC Movement

LANGUAGES

Required

• Fluent spoken and written English

Preferred

• Good command of another IFRC official language (Spanish, French, or Arabic)

Competencies, Values and Comments

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.