IFRC Strategy 2030: Call for Foresight Research

 

As we approach the mid-point of our Global IFRC Strategy 2030 (S2030), it is time to reflect on what we’ve achieved so far, and what we must prioritise over the next five years. 

S2030 was launched in January 2020. It represents the collective ambitions of 191 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies (NS), supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The strategy is a vision for adaptation, change and hope in the world’s largest humanitarian network. 

Call for contributors 

The IFRC Solferino Academy is leading a key workstream for the Participatory Midterm Review and Forecast. This project is rooted in four critical questions: 

1. Did S2030 influence NS strategic priorities and resource allocation? 
2. How have NS changed since the launch of S2030 and which factors – internal and external – influenced their progress? 
3. Is S2030 still well aligned with emerging challenges and opportunities in the external environment? 
4. Which transformation approaches and external issues should we prioritise over the next five years? 

We are seeking freelance strategic foresight practitioners to contribute to research into possible futures for the changing external context (question 3). This work will also help shape the recommendations made in response to question 4. 

We are seeking freelance researchers to work with the IFRC’s Global Lead for Strategic Foresight to deliver: 

• Desk research in to the 5 Challenges detailed in S2030. We want to understand how these challenges might develop over time, and if these are still the most pressing focus for our humanitarian work. 
• Desk research into the 7 Transformation detailed in S2030: We want to understand emerging trends and weak signals in these domains, to understand what challenges and opportunities we may face. 
• Interviews with domain experts: We want to engage with diverse perspectives, positions and skill sets to add depth and nuance to our foresight work. 
• Write up of findings and insights: We want clear, insightful and challenging analysis of the research and evidence to contribute to our understanding of possible futures. 
• Potential additions: Participation in foresight workshops: We want to engage with our network of staff, volunteers and communities to understand their hopes, fears and aspirations for the future. 
• Identification of diverse experts who may be interested in writing for the IFRC network and/or speaking on panels and other digital communications formats. 

This is a global project. As such, we particularly welcome pitches from people with deep expertise in specific global regions (MENA, Africa, Asia Pacific and South and Central America). We are seeking people able to work in both English and at least one of the core languages of the IFRC; French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Mandarin, particularly because we want to be able to source insights in these languages and to represent globally diverse insights and views. 

This work can be done remotely, with support from the global IFRC Solferino Team. There will be no travel required. All work needs to be completed and signed off by the Global Lead for Strategic Foresight by Monday 17 June 2024. 

We will appoint up to four freelance researchers, with a maximum budget of 3,500 CHF per contributor. 

Apply 

We welcome your interest in this opportunity. Please send your CV or a brief introduction to your work to Ben Holt (solferino.academ[email protected]). Please outline how you would meet the brief within the budget and time constraints. 

If you have any questions or would like a call before submitting your pitch, please don’t hesitate to ask. 

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