Solferino Academy’s global team is seeking volunteers to support our digital communications efforts and virtual events. 

VOLUNTEERS TO SUPPORT DIGITAL EVENTS

The IFRC Solferino Academy’s global team seeks volunteers to support the production of small to large scale virtual meetings and events.

The forced virtualisation of work driven by the COVID 19 pandemics means that teams are shifting from face-to-face to virtual interactions. Not everybody is digital savvy, and teams do not always have adequate resources to dedicate to it. The Solferino Academy’s ability to organise engaging small to large-scale virtual events has drawn attention from the Red Cross and Red Crescent network and we’re regularly being asked to provide technical support to virtual meetings.

We are looking for people motivated to help the Solferino Academy respond to this demand as well as to support the organisation of Solferino Academy events (think tanks, experimental virtual events, etc.), while developing their own skills and gaining experience.

What will the volunteers do:

• Punctually take part in the organisation of virtual meetings or events, provide technical advice before the meeting, and support during the meeting.
• When interpretation services are required: liaise with interpreters and help them overcome technical difficulties before and during the meeting. 
• The volunteers are also invited to share their skills and creative ideas to improve or challenge existing ways of working.
• Volunteers might be asked to participate in training other volunteers.

What are we seeking:

• IT savvy people with a high attention to details, good listening skills and ability to provide timely and reliable technical advice and support.
• Previous experience of organising or supporting virtual meetings / events.
• Fluent in English and a working knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish. 
• Capacity to quickly and confidently connect with new teams and people.
• Interest in designing, documenting and sharing digital event production practices.

What we offer:

• Training on how Solferino Academy manages the technicalities of small and larger virtual events (setting video conference platforms, engagement tools and processes, etc.).
• Chance to support high level IFRC meetings as well as innovative virtual events, contributing to both the business continuity of the IFRC and its exploration of new ways of working.
• Chance to be part of a global, creative team, working as part of the IFRC network and in partnerships with the private sector, academic institutions, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and others who share similar values.

 Note that these are unpaid volunteer positions. From time to time small contract based work may become available that the volunteers would be encouraged to apply for.

How to apply:

 Tell us about yourself, your relevant (virtual) event production experience, technical and language skills and why you want to volunteer with the Solferino Academy by writing to [email protected]. The email should be titled: DIGITAL EVENTS VOLUNTEER.

People from middle and low income national societies are strongly encouraged to apply.

DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS VOLUNTEERS

 We are looking for people interested in committing a few hours a month to help Solferino Academy in capturing, profiling and sharing signals of change, innovation and transformation across the Red Cross and Red Crescent network as well as the wider humanitarian sector.  

What will the digital communications volunteers do:

• Scan through social media channels, websites and other (digital) sources of the Red Cross Red Crescent network to source stories, experiments, ideas and insights about new, innovative approaches, organisational change and transformations.
• Support the Solferino Academy team in curating and converting their findings into high quality digital communications products (like the Tales of Transformation series) to be shared through various channels and networks.
• The volunteers are also invited to share their skills and creative ideas to strengthen, challenge and improve Solferino Academy’s communications and digital engagement efforts.

What are we seeking:

• Good written and oral communication skills in English and at least one other IFRC or widely-spoken language (such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and so on).
• Skills and knowledge of digital communication methods and tools (written communications, editing, social media, graphic design, illustrations, animation, motion graphics, video production, web publishing and so on). 
• Ability to identify ‘signals of change’, future trends and new, innovative approaches to humanitarian and development work.
• Commitment of approximately 8 hours a month for a minimum of three months.

What can we offer:

• Mentoring and support in developing skills and gaining knowledge to drive the change you seek in the world, including new skill sets for humanitarian work, creative problem solving and communication. With each volunteer, we will build an individual talent development plan.
• Access to learning materials, virtual workshops and (online) mentoring about innovation, futures and foresight, creative digital communications and other relevant themes and topics.
• Chance to be part of a global, creative team of experts, working as part of the IFRC network and in partnerships with the private sector, academic institutions, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and others who share similar values.

Note that these are unpaid volunteer positions. However, people volunteering for the Solferino Academy are also encouraged to apply for our paid positions as they come available.  

How to apply:

Tell us about yourself, your communication and language skills and why you want to volunteer with the Solferino Academy by writing to [email protected] before 10 March. Please also add your portfolio and/or work samples in your application. The email should be titled: DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS VOLUNTEER.

People from middle and low income countries are strongly encouraged to apply.