The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, with 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. IFRC uses the Triple R – response, resilience and respect – to deliver on Strategy 2030. IFRC responds to disasters and crises, ensuring timely, coordinated and locally led humanitarian action. IFRC supports its members in building community resilience in the areas of climate and environment, health and wellbeing, and migration and displacement. IFRC promotes respect for our fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, including in our work on values, power and inclusion. The IFRC focuses throughout on our core mandate – our raison d’être – of strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, National Society development, and accountability.
IFRC is led by its Secretary General and has its Headquarters in Geneva and five regional offices in Africa (Nairobi); the Americas (Panama); Asia Pacific (Kuala Lumpur); Europe (Budapest); and MENA (Beirut) as well as representation offices, service centres and delegations across the globe.
IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.
IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.
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 government, 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. And Digitally Transforming the IFRC and its 191 members is a complex process which requires collaborative action and support across the membership. Therefore, the 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.
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The incumbent report into the AI and Data management unit (“AI & Data unit”), that is accountable to the Director of the DTD. The other units and teams reporting to the DT Director include the Enterprise Architecture, Strategy & Planning unit, the Digital development and management unit, the Infrastructure & Security Team and the Global Service Desk and Endpoint Management team. Under the leadership of the Director, these units and teams serve as members of the global DTD management team, along with the CISO and Regional DT managers.
The AI & Data unit is responsible to deliver greater value from IFRC’s data, and ensures the development and implementation of IFRCs data and AI governance and strategy, in close collaboration with the IFRC’s Data Protection Office and through indirect management of data professionals in other departments. The unit oversees all data operations, data product lifecycles and manages the organisation’s data platform, as well as the coordination and support to AI initiatives.
The Senior AI Cloud and Security Officer will also interact with internal and external AI and data experts, private sector, academia, external suppliers, vendors and consultants who are sourced to deliver AI-related activities.
Job Purpose
The Senior AI Cloud and Security Officer is responsible to design, deploy, and monitor AI systems that adhere to organizational policies and global best practices and is delivery by working closely with cross-functional teams. This includes managing Microsoft Purview’s Data Security Posture Management (DSPM), securing AI/ML data pipelines, and enhancing the organization’s cloud security posture.
AI Platform Management
- Oversee organizational AI platforms for development, testing, and production environments.
- Implement best practices for AI lifecycle management, including model deployment, monitoring, and retirement.
Security & Compliance
- Review AI applications to ensure compliance with organizational policies, ethical AI principles, and regulatory requirements.
- Lead risk assessments and mitigation strategies for AI/ML systems and sensitive data.
- Contribute to threat-modeling and incident response planning for AI-related risks.
Data governance
- Establish and maintain data lineage tracking for AI models to ensure transparency and compliance.
- Collaborate with data scientists, developers, and compliance teams to enforce secure data governance.
Automation & Integration
- Design and implement automated DSPM workflows using Microsoft Purview and Azure-native tools.
- Develop and maintain security automation scripts and integrations (e.g., PowerShell, Python, Logic Apps).
Cloud security
- Monitor and optimize Azure security controls including Defender for Cloud, Sentinel, and Key Vault.
- Ensure proper configuration of identity and access management for AI workloads.
Innovation & Advisory
- Stay updated on emerging AI security trends, frameworks, and regulatory changes.
- Advise leadership on strategic AI security initiatives and risk posture improvements.
- Act as a main point of reference to support staff of all levels in understanding current practices and systems.
Duties applicable to all staff
- Work actively towards the achievement of IFRC’s goals.
- Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
- Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.
Required
- Degree in in computer science, information security, data science, or related field.
- Certifications for Azure Security Engineer, Certified Information Systems Security Professional – CISSP or similar (highly desirable).
Required
- 7+ years of experience in AI/ML development and deployment.
- 5+ years in cloud security and data governance roles, preferably in large-scale or global organizations.
- Demonstrated experience in implementing AI security frameworks and compliance standards.
- Expertise in AI model lifecycle management and MLOps.
- Experience with generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and prompt engineering.
Preferred
- Experience with Microsoft Azure environments and Microsoft Purview.
Required
- Expert-level proficiency in Azure environments.
- Technical Excellence: Deep knowledge of secure coding practices and vulnerability management.
- Proficiency in automation and orchestration tools for security workflows.
- Problem-Solving: Ability to break down complex challenges into solvable problems
- Communication: Skill in translating technical findings to non-technical stakeholders.
- Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across data science, engineering, and business teams.
- Continuous Learning: Drive to stay current with rapid cloud security and AI field evolution.
- Attention to Detail: Precision in code quality, data validation, and model documentation.
Preferred
- Understanding of humanitarian context, operational challenges, and impact measurement.
- Familiarity with agile development practices and iterative model improvement.
Languages
Required
- Fluent spoken and written English.
Preferred
- Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).
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.
Application Instruction
Please submit your application in English only.
