NHQ:ISD - PREP: GDPC CAP and Early Warning Systems Volunteer

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This position supports the National Headquarters (NHQ) International Services Department (ISD), specifically the Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC). This is a 100% remote (volunteer-from-home) position. The GDPC is seeking a volunteer with expertise in Early Warning Systems and the use of the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) for public alerting. By providing expert advisory and consultative services, the Volunteer will support the GDPC and IFRC in implementing the Alert Hub Initiative, which aims to increase the use of CAP for public alerting paired with actionable messages. In the context of the UN Early Warning for All Initiative (EW4All), the Volunteer will serve as a strategic and technical resource to inform and guide the engagement, coordination and outreach of the GDPC and IFRC in promoting the use of CAP via CAP Editors and the roll out of the IFRC developed Alert Hub as an aggregator of CAP feeds. Responsibilities:

• The CAP and Early Warning Systems Volunteer will work in collaboration with the Manager at the Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC). As a strategic and technical resource focused on leveraging CAP to enhance early warning messaging, the Volunteer works primarily with the GDPC and IFRC Alert Hub team. Key responsibilities and tasks include:
  • Provide strategic and technical advice and assistance to GDPC and the IFRC Alert Hub project team.
  • Inform implementation plans for IFRC's engagement in the Early Warning for All Initiative as it relates to Communication and Dissemination of warnings.
  • Provide technical feedback on the feasibility, modifications needs and roll-out of CAP related tools, i.e. CAP Editor and the IFRC Alert Hub as an aggregator of CAP feeds.
  • Review and inform the further development of CAP implementation criteria optimization and automatization.
  • Share relevant resources, references, trainings on CAP implementation to deepen the knowledge base of the IFRC Alert Hub project team.
  • Assist in identifying emergent opportunities for CAP engagement, partnership and potential support.
  • Support outreach at the national level to strengthen CAP and disaster management linkages in project countries.
  • Provide support to IFRC's Pillar 3 engagement with the EW4All initiative by supporting coordination events and liaising with stakeholders.

• Qualifications Required:
  • Strong knowledge and demonstrated experience utilizing the Common Alerting Protocol data format, including knowledge of requirements of countries with different levels of technological development and connectivity, requirements of 3rd party alert rebroadcasters, specifics of alerting terms, urgency levels, display formats, etc.
  • Familiarity and extensive contacts with major actors in the field of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) for emergency management, including government organizations, NGOs, and the private sector.
  • Knowledge of modern ICT methods and tools, including network architecture, information architecture, and programming.
  • Ability to work in collaboration with a team; sensitivity to different cultures.
  • Resume submission
  • Willingness to comply with current public health and Red Cross policies
  Preferred:
  • Experience working with FEMA
  • Experience and understanding of Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS)
  • Knowledge of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and the humanitarian sector
  • Working in multi-stakeholder settings
  • Second language proficiency is desirable, particularly Spanish, French or Arabic

To apply for this opportunity and register as an American Red Cross volunteer, individuals must reside in the United States or on one of the United States Service to the Armed Forces stations. If you are an individual that does not meet this criteria, but are interested in volunteering with the Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in your country, please visit: https://www.ifrc.org/volunteer-us