ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 192 member National Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The overall aim of the IFRC is to enable healthy and safe communities, reduce vulnerabilities, strengthen resilience and foster a culture of peace around the world. It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
The Federation is at the forefront of humanitarian crisis preparedness and response. As part of its ongoing work, several initiatives have been developed to strengthen the expertise and capacity of National Societies to prepare for and respond to disasters and crises around the world. The Federation provides technical guidance and institutional support to National Societies so they can implement global, regional or local initiatives according to the Red Cross Red Crescent Fundamental principles and 2030 Strategy.
BACKGROUND
COVID-19 is a socio-economic crisis along with being a global health crisis. Businesses are critically impacted worldwide, with millions closing and resulting in livelihoods at risk. Micro, small, and medium sized businesses (MSMEs) are particularly hard hit across formal and informal sectors in urban areas and need support to plan for economic recovery - to provide employment, supply necessary goods and services, and create social cohesion for community resilience. This involves equipping MSMEs with tools to adapt to their new environment and build a preparedness plan in anticipation of future outbreaks and hazards. This is the critical time to increase regional awareness in focusing on the economic impacts of COVID-19 and support MSMEs in emerging from the crisis more resilient than before.
The Red Cross Red Crescent is well positioned with the guidance and communities’ trust to support MSMEs in building capacity during this difficult time and be forward thinking in planning. The Global Disaster Preparedness Center’s (GDPC) Business Preparedness Initiative (BPI) assists small and medium sized businesses in preparing for hazards while the Livelihoods Reference Center’s (LRC) guidance helps support micro businesses and income generating activities. Together, the two reference centers can lead initiatives to support regional offices and National Societies in alleviating the economic impact of COVID-19 for and building resilience of MSMEs and communities.
Strengthening Red Cross National Societies is key to supporting those affected by Covid-19. Some of the main areas that need to be developed are resource mobilization and financial sustainability. Designing and implementing bold, innovative, effective, and user-based strategies and plans in those areas is key, not only as part of the recovery from Covid-19, but as part of the efforts to achieve the Red Cross mission.
PURPOSE
The IFRC seeks for an individual or group of professionals who can design and implement a virtual co-creation lab on financial sustainability for five Red Cross National Societies. The lab aims to explore bold, innovative and accountable strategies that can boost the resources mobilization at national and international level. In addition, the lab aims to also boost the diversification of income generation activities for the development of national society programs and services. The questions that guide the lab are which strategies the Red Cross Societies could use to engage social and corporate actors and mobilize resources in favor of their humanitarian mission?; and what does it take to make them happen?
The co-creation lab consultant(s) will design and facilitate the lab. They will propose a methodology, facilitate the individual and guided collaborative sessions, and deliver a final report of the process. The consultant will report to the communications manager and the NSD regional coordinator at the IFRC Regional Office, based in Panama. In terms of communication, this position coordinates its activities with the Regional Communication Manager at IFRC Regional Office.
OBJECTIVES
a) Design and facilitate a co-creation lab on financial sustainability for five Red Cross National Societies.
b) Guide the Red Cross National Societies and the IFRC team in exploring new ways and unknown paths to engage social and corporate actors, mobilize resources in favor of their humanitarian mission, and influence the diversification of potential income sources.
c) Create a report based on the results of the co-creation lab, including both the information gathered during the process of co-creation as well as the one related to the solutions and their implementation requirements.
TIMELINE AND LOGISTICS
This is a time sensitive project. The lab should be implemented and the report should be delivered before December 31st, 2020. All the process is virtual and the consultancy is 100% remote work. To develop the sessions platforms such as Zoom or Teams can be used with an unlimited timeline.
The number of participants is 30 people, approximately. All costs related to graphic designs, wi-fi, software licenses, etc., should be included in the consultant fee.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
a) Operational responsibilities
Participate in briefing sessions with IFRC’s teams and National Societies representatives.
Design the co-creation lab methodology and work plan.
Design the facilitation guidelines.
Facilitate the sessions.
Spanish to English translation of key documents when necessary.
Develop a final report.
b) IFRC
The consultant(s) will be briefed by the communications, financial sustainability, and partnership and resources teams.
IFRC can also provide IT support to organize the meetings.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Graduate in social sciences, planning, marketing or other business related careers.**
Experience in and knowledge of lab methodologies.**
5 years experience working in co-creation, agile methodologies, lab design.**
5 year experience in and knowledge of groups facilitation.
Experience in remote/virtual work and facilitation.
Experience in U Theory and sensing and co-creation approaches (preferred).
Professional experience in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement (preferred).**
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND LANGUAGES
Excellent interpersonal, communication and networking skills.
Good coordination skills, with the ability to work with people across different teams and levels.
Ability to multi-task and work under stressful conditions to meet deadlines.
Fluently spoken and written English and Spanish.
COMPETENCIES AND VALUES
Planning and facilitation
Collaboration and teamwork
Project management
Creativity and Innovation**
Accountability
Professionalism
How to apply:
Interested candidates should send their CV including a list of previous lab processes designed and implemented, and a letter of interest, to hr.americas@ifrc.org
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.