Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian network, uniting 191-member National Societies under a shared mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering. Guided by Strategy 2030, its Triple R framework, and the Agenda for Renewal, the IFRC delivers timely, locally led humanitarian action before, during, and after crises.

The IFRC's Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) approach positions people as active partners in decisions affecting their lives, emphasising participation, transparent two-way communication, and systems to gather, analyse, and act on community data and feedback. Building on a large-scale feedback collection, perception surveys, and qualitative studies expanded significantly during COVID-19, community data now informs cross-cutting priorities including climate change adaptation, early warning and anticipatory action, and migration and displacement.

Building on this foundation, the IFRC CEA team launched the Community Trust Index (CTI)  in 2023 as the flagship evidence-based tool for measuring community trust in the Red Cross and Red Crescent. It employs a mixed-methods design combining quantitative surveys with qualitative instruments across five structured phases: planning, data collection, data analysis, findings and recommendations, and action planning. Piloted across 13 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, and Europe, the CTI is now being scaled globally.

Strategic Alignment

In line with the IFRC Agenda for Renewal, the organisation is accelerating the use of digital transformation and artificial intelligence to strengthen community data systems. This consultancy directly supports that agenda by:

  • Reducing the time between data collection, analysis, and actionable recommendations in both emergency and programmatic contexts.
  • Building analysis capacity through a fit-for-purpose technical toolbox to guarantee a minimum quality standard of CTI implementation.
  • Establishing centralised, automated, and scalable systems that reflect the pace and complexity of humanitarian operations.
  • Embedding community voice more deeply into strategic and operational decision-making at all levels.

This work is directly aligned with the IFRC Strategy 2030, the IFRC CEA Strategy, and the IFRC Agenda for Renewal.

Job Purpose

The IFRC is seeking individuals or teams to design and build an integrated data system that reduces the time from community data collection to actionable insights of the Community Trust Index. The work spans three interconnected areas: data engineering, AI-assisted analysis, and custom visualisation platforms.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The work is organized into three profiles. In practice, these roles work as a unit: Profile 1 builds the infrastructure that Profile 2 analyses, and Profile 3 turns those insights into platforms that teams can use.

Profile 1: Data Engineer

Builds and maintains the technical backbone: databases, pipelines, and data collection systems.

Key responsibilities

  • Assess existing systems (e.g. Kobo Toolbox) and recommend infrastructure architecture.
  • Design a centralised, secure database suitable for low-resource and emergency contexts, including offline-compatible data collection.
  • Build automated pipelines connecting data collection to analysis and visualisation layers.
  • Configure access controls, data ownership, and privacy safeguards.
  • Ensure integrations and interoperability with IFRC and partner systems.
  • Document all systems for knowledge transfer and maintainability.

Profile 2: Data Analyst & AI Specialist

Turns raw data into structured, reproducible insights using AI-assisted quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Key responsibilities

  • Build automated workflows for descriptive analysis: frequencies, trends, and trust scores.
  • Apply NLP and machine learning for qualitative analysis, sentiment detection, and thematic coding.
  • Enable trend monitoring across time, geography, and population groups.
  • Triangulate CTI data with contextual and secondary data sources.
  • Validate and quality-assure AI-generated outputs.
  • Ensure analytical methods are transparent, reproducible, and well-documented.

Profile 3: Data Visualization Developer

Designs and custom platforms and interactive tools that make community insights accessible to diverse audiences.

Key responsibilities

  • Build and maintain dashboards, microsites, and data portals for IFRC and National Societies.
  • Design interactive tools for country-level data use and reporting.
  • Develop automated visual outputs (insight briefs, summary reports) from analytical pipelines.
  • Work closely with the Data Engineer on technical integration and with the Data Analyst on translating outputs into visuals.
  • Ensure platforms are accessible, user-friendly, and compliant with IFRC branding and data protection standards.

Across the three profiles, the consultancy will deliver the following:

1. Centralised and Secure Data Infrastructure

Support the establishment of a centralised, secure database for CTI and related datasets, in collaboration with the IFRC Digital Transformation team, including:

  • Analysing existing systems (e.g. Kobo Toolbox) and recommending optimal architecture.
  • Designing a database suited to low-capacity and emergency contexts, including offline-compatible data collection.
  • Building and maintaining automated pipelines connecting data collection to analysis and visualisation layers.
  • Configuring access controls, data ownership, and privacy safeguards.
  • Supporting application interface integrations and interoperability with IFRC and partner systems.
  • Ensuring system resilience, scalability, and full documentation for knowledge transfer.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

2. Standardised and Simplified Data Collection

Support the standardisation of tools and processes for consistent community data capture, including:

  • Streamlining CTI and CEA survey instruments to reduce burden while maintaining rigour.
  • Integrating mandatory and optional question modules based on National Society profiles and priorities, enabling localisation while preserving index scoring mechanism.
  • Designing visualisation approaches that distinguish contextual adaptations from standardised indicators.
  • Developing standardised coding frameworks and taxonomies for qualitative data.
  • Aligning all tools with humanitarian standards and IFRC reporting requirements.

3. Automated and Real-Time Data Analysis

Develop automated workflows to turn community data into structured, actionable insights, including:

  • Building pipelines for descriptive analysis: frequencies, trends, and trust scores.
  • Enabling trend monitoring across time, geography, and population groups.
  • Applying AI tools for qualitative analysis, like NLP, sentiment detection, and thematic coding, with human quality assurance at each stage.
  • Producing automated outputs (dashboards, summaries, insight briefs) based on existing templates and analytical notebooks.
  • Supporting in-depth triangulation with contextual data, secondary analysis, and other external data sources.
  • Ensuring all analytical methods are transparent, reproducible, and clearly documented.

4. Digital Platforms and Data Visualisation

Design and build custom platforms for sharing insights across the IFRC network and with partners, including:

  • Building and maintaining dashboards, microsites, and data portals.
  • Designing accessible, user-friendly visualisations tailored to diverse audiences – from field teams to senior leadership.
  • Developing interactive tools for country-level data use and reporting.
  • Generating automated visual outputs (insight briefs, summary reports) directly from analytical pipelines.
  • Ensuring all platforms comply with IFRC standards on branding, data protection, and accessibility.
  • Collaborating with CEA, Digital Transformation, and programme teams to ensure tools respond to operational needs.
  • Producing documentation and guidance materials to support non-technical users across National Societies.

Governance and Coordination

The consultant will report to the IFRC CEA Lead and be technically supervised by the IFRC CEA Research Coordinator and the IM Senior Officer. Monthly progress updates will be submitted, along with a final report at the end of the consultancy period.

The following coordination mechanisms will apply:

  • Regular check-in meetings with the CEA team.
  • Collaboration with IFRC's Digital Transformation team, IM team, and regional CEA focal points.
  • Participation in relevant IFRC working groups or Communities of Practice related to data and community engagement.
  • All deliverables subject to review and formal sign-off by the CEA Unit and relevant IFRC technical leads.

Time allocation

The consultancy is expected to start on 15 May 2026 and conclude on 15 May 2027, for a total of 100 days, over a period of 12 months.

Education

N/A

Experience

N/A

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

  • Database design and systems architecture
    • Required for: Profile 1 Data Engineer
    • Desirable for: Profile 2 Analyst & AI, Profile 3 Viz Developer
  • Cloud infrastructure and application interface integrations
    • Required for: Profile 1 Data Engineer
    • Desirable for: Profile 3 Viz Developer
    • N/A for: Profile 2 Analyst & AI
  • Digital data collection tools in low-resource contexts
    • Required for: Profile 1 Data Engineer
    • Desirable for: Profile 2 Analyst & AI
    • N/A for: Profile 3 Viz Developer
  • AI/ML and NLP for qualitative and quantitative data
    • Required for: Profile 2 Analyst & AI
    • Desirable for: Profile 1 Data Engineer
    • N/A for: Profile 3 Viz Developer
  • Quantitative and qualitative research methods applied to humanitarian sectors
    • Required for: Profile 2 Analyst & AI
    • Desirable for: Profile 1 Data Engineer, Profile 3 Viz Developer
  • Data triangulation and secondary analysis
    • Required for: Profile 2 Analyst & AI
    • Desirable for: Profile 3 Viz Developer
    • N/A for: Profile 1 Data Engineer
  • Custom platform and dashboard development
    • Required for: Profile 3 Viz Developer
    • Desirable for: Profile 1 Data Engineer
    • N/A for: Profile 2 Analyst & AI
  • Data visualization design for non-technical audiences
    • Required for: Profile 3 Viz Developer
    • Desirable for: Profile 2 Analyst & AI
    • N/A for: Profile 1 Data Engineer
  • Community engagement in humanitarian contexts
    • Desirable for: Profile 1 Data Engineer, Profile 2 Analyst & AI, Profile 3 Viz Developer
  • IFRC or Red Cross/Red Crescent familiarity
    • Desirable for: Profile 1 Data Engineer, Profile 2 Analyst & AI, Profile 3 Viz Developer

Competencies, Values and Comments

Application Instructions

  • Please submit your application in English only.
  • Applications are welcome from consultants for one or several profiles. Applicants must clearly indicate which profile(s) they are applying for and demonstrate relevant expertise for each.
  • Please include the following documents in your application:
    • Cover letter, including
      • Technical proposal: methodology, workplan, and which profile(s) are covered by whom
      • Financial proposal: detailed budget breakdown
    • CV(s) or organisational profile: with a clear mapping of personnel to profiles, including
      • Two professional references
    • Two examples of comparable work (tools, platforms, or reports)

Note

The consultant will be contracted by the IFRC, and the standard contractual terms will apply. 

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.