Head of Technology - R&D

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and, at the same time, promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Purpose

The Technology Adviser anticipates organizational and environmental challenges related to technology and provides high-level expertise and advice to management of the Office of Digital Transformation and Data (DTD) on the level of maturity, opportunities, challenges, risks and impact of emerging technologies, and on technology partners or vendors in the projects s/he oversees. His/her activities are linked to global organizational projects, where s/he solves complex problems related to technical/technological aspects.

Accountabilities & functional responsibilities

• Coordinates all technical/technological aspects related to the planning, build-up and testing of key emerging technologies enabling the ICRC’s digital transformation (Strategic Objective 5 of the Institutional Strategy) and data capabilities in line with the Information Environment Strategy (IES) v.2.
• Leads the technology watch related to the above aspects and advises DTD management on the level of maturity, as well as the opportunities, challenges, risks and impact of new technologies, and on technology partners or vendors.
• Follows innovative/transformative projects with an information and communication technology (ICT) component as required.
• Enables the strategic management of resources required for the technical/technological aspects of projects, including the budget.
• Defines and validates the ICT foundations of the project, in coordination with relevant internal stakeholders and in line with ICRC data security, data protection, information management and ICT architecture standards. Also defines/validates the appropriate approach and methodology for efficiently carrying out the project.
• Defines, validates and prioritizes, throughout the project cycle, the key technical requirements of the evolving solution but also the specific technical requirements of each of the solution increments and related testing.
• Ensures that the deliverables meet the quality, technical standards and key requirements (must, should and could have), as required by the solution or specific increments/sprints, and takes any appropriate corrective measures or gives related instructions. Identifies, mobilizes, coordinates and manages the relationship with technical/ICT experts and the specific contributions provided by them internally and externally, through partnerships or a more classical contractual mode, in coordination with relevant internal stakeholders.
• Monitors technological developments and their potential uses for the ICRC and proposes and validates the technologies required to meet the objectives of the specific challenge/project, together with the development team, in line with the instructions of the head of project or leader of a specific challenge team, and in coordination with the ICT Division.
• Contributes to workshops and high-level documents related to projects and partnerships, e.g. prioritized requirement lists, feasibility assessment, delivery plan (or project roadmap), deployment and integration plan.
• Organizes field trips, consultations and surveys to collect technical requirements on the ground, prepare deployments of minimum viable products and draw lessons learned.

Our values

• At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this

Reports to (role)

• Director of Digital Transformation and Data
• Digital Transformation & Data Chief of Staff
• Head of Digital Platform

People management responsibilities

No

Scope & impact

• Geographic remit: global.
• Represents the organization externally as a thought leader in matters related to new technologies.
• Manages the budget of innovative/transformative projects under his/her responsibility.
• Projects and partnerships concerned may be cross-cutting and involve different departments and divisions.

Relationships

• Internally, interacts with senior management, project teams, development teams, partners and other supporting roles, including other DTD Technology Advisers, ICT Managers and staff both at headquarters and in the field, functional services/métiers and the heads of ICT projects/programmes related to the digital transformation of operations.
• Externally, interacts with partner organizations, the private sector and others.

Certifications / Education required

• Advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in computer science or similar field.
• Fluent command of English and French.
• Computer proficiency.

Professional experience required

• Typically 12–15 years’ professional experience.
• ICRC exposure and field experience an asset.
• Sound knowledge of information systems architecture.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and expertise in the management of projects and initiatives related to technology and innovation in the context of humanitarian action.