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. 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.

Background to the position

In virtually all countries, people increasingly rely on and expect a diverse range of digital services (e.g., through their mobile devices) to interact with local governments, companies, and community organizations and services. This disruption is already happening to humanitarian assistance. Yet, the Digital Divide remains a persistent and significant challenge at both national and local levels.

The need for a successful and large-scale digital transformation is urgent. Furthermore, digitally Transforming the IFRC and its 191 members is a complex process which requires collaborative action and support across the membership. Therefore, IFRC recently developed a Digital Transformation Strategy which was approved by the IFRC Governing Board in May 2021.

The Digital Transformation Department (DTD) has full leadership responsibility for the implementation of the digital transformation strategy and the positive impact it will have on the 191 National Society members of the IFRC. The DTD provides strategic leadership and guides the IFRC Secretariat as well as the members network to adapt and innovate humanitarian services, drawing on digital services, data-enabled decision-making, and other opportunities for digital transformation in support of the IFRC’s Strategy 2030. In addition, the DTD is responsible for the development and implementation of business transformation, information technology and digitalization services throughout the IFRC Secretariat, thereby supporting the same transformation in 191 NSs, setting the vision, and drawing stakeholders together on this digital journey.

Given the strategic choice by the organisation to deliver more value from the organization’s data, the incumbent is the organisation’s lead in data platform architecture and accountable to the organisation’s Data manager that reports to the DT Director.

The other units reporting to the DT Director include the Enterprise Architecture, Strategy & Planning unit, the Digital development and management unit and the Service Delivery & Support unit.

 

Job Purpose

 

The Data Platform Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the global IFRC data platform solutions. This role involves engineering scalable and reliable data solutions to enable data ingestion, storage, processing, and analysis, ultimately leading to reliable data-enabled decision making.

The Data Platform Engineer will collaborate with multiple cross-functional teams at a global level, on a variety of projects that support the internal and external-facing activities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement.

 

Job Duties and Responsibilities

 

1. Data Platform Engineering:

• Design, implement, and manage end-to-end data solutions using Microsoft Azure services (Microsoft SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, Azure Data Lake, Azure Synapse Analytics, Microsoft Fabric).

2. Data Ingestion and Integration:

• Develop and optimize data pipelines, ETL processes, and database performance using tools like SSIS, Azure Data Factory, and Databricks.
• Establish data quality checks and validation mechanisms during the ingestion process.

3. Data Storage and Management:

• Determine appropriate data storage technologies and structures (e.g., databases, data lakes, object storage) based on the organization’s needs, and support teams in implementation of the proper solution.
• Develop data management strategies, including data partitioning, indexing, and archiving, to optimize performance and storage efficiency.

4. Data Processing and Analytics:

• Design and implement data pipelines to transform and analyze data at scale, primarily utilizing the Microsoft technology stack.
• Select and configure appropriate processing technologies, such as distributed computing platforms, data processing frameworks, and streaming systems.
• Collaborate with data analysts and data scientists to ensure the platform supports advanced analytics and machine learning workloads, ensuring data accessibility and accuracy.

5. Data Security and Governance:

• Contribute to data governance policies on relevant topics, such as security and storage of data.
• Monitor and optimize data platform performance and availability to ensure high availability and performance.
• Ensure data security, backup, and disaster recovery strategies are in place and effective.

6. Collaboration and Stakeholder Management:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including data engineers, data scientists, and business stakeholders, to understand their requirements and align the data platform accordingly.
• Explore and implement emerging features in Microsoft technologies (e.g. Fabrc) and integrate them into our data architecture to support business goals.
• Provide technical guidance and training to team members on data management best practices and Microsoft data technologies

7. Contribute to an effective, high quality IFRC team:

• Support the unit manager with regular progress reports on results against objectives and responsibilities.
• Work in close consultation and develop partnerships with colleagues with data roles across the secretariat in Geneva and in the regions.

 

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

 

Duties applicable to all staff
1. Work actively towards the achievement of the IFRC 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

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.

 

Experience

 

Required

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible postgraduate experience in data platforms engineering.
• Core Expertise in the Microsoft Data Stack, in particular proficiency with Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Lake, and Azure SQL Database.
• Strong knowledge of Azure Cloud architecture and networking principles.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines for data workflows (e.g., using Azure DevOps).
• Proficiency in Python, PowerShell, or similar scripting languages.
• Strong knowledge of data platform technologies, including data ingestion, storage, processing, and analytics.
• Strong experience with ETL tools like SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) and Azure Data Factory.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Azure services such as Azure Data Lake, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Azure Databricks.
• Proficiency in database design, data warehousing, and data integration concepts.
• Proficiency in cloud platforms and technologies, such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Experience with big data technologies, such as Hadoop, Spark, and distributed storage systems.
• Familiarity with data governance, data security, and data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).

Preferred:

• Experience within the RC/RC Movement and/ or international humanitarian or development organisations.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Required

• Strong strategic and conceptual thinking; setting meaningful, long-term vision and strategy, consider long-term potential, propose challenging strategic goals.
• Propensity for embracing change and ambiguity: anticipate emerging conditions and demands, embrace widespread organisational change, navigate complex dynamics, view uncertainty and disruption as an opportunity.
• Ability to drive results, and create culture that fosters proactive action, actively prioritize, set high standards.
• Developing others: Push autonomy and empowerment, view people development as imperative, create culture of accountability.
• Data products development, business value development, data product deployment, and resource mobilisation.
  
• Strong presentation, written and oral communication skills.
• Able to network effectively and influence and inspire others including peers, the membership and other stakeholders.
• Focused on quality and standards, results, and accountability.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; proven people’s management skills (staff and consultants), including conflict resolution.
• Proven training, knowledge transfer and supervisory skills as part of the people’s management.
• Proven teamwork and trust-building skills, including development of effective and efficient networks and partnerships within and outside of the organisation.
• Proactive approach to finding creative and constructive solutions to difficult issues.

Preferred

• Data modelling, statistics.
• Knowledge on applying artificial intelligence techniques, such as NLP and machine learning.
• Certifications:
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate.
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert.

LANGUAGES

Required

• Fluent spoken and written English.

Preferred

• 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; Leadership; Empowering others.