Head of Humanitarian Trends and Analysis Unit

Job title: Head of Humanitarian Trends and Analysis Unit

About the Role Lead the Humanitarian Trends and Analysis Unit, guiding a global team of analysts to deliver open-source analysis that informs ICRC strategy and decision-making. The role reports to the Head of Strategy and Governance Relations and focuses on scanning the external environment to identify trends and priorities relevant to the ICRC’s operations and reputation.

What You'll Do

• Define the Unit's strategic orientations, objectives and action priorities during the annual planning cycle, and manage the Unit's budget.
• Lead, motivate and manage a diverse global team to deliver high-quality analyses that inform decision-making.
• Present actionable insights to senior leadership and participate in strategic platforms to provide a nuanced understanding of the external environment.
• Promote critical thinking by challenging assumptions and integrating diverse perspectives; proactively flag emerging trends and their implications for ICRC operations and reputation.
• Lead and coordinate with the Director General team, Operations and Policy on multi-perspective analyses capturing diverse viewpoints, particularly from the Global South.
• Oversee delivery of flagship analytical products (On the Radar, Global Trends Report, inputs to the weekly brief, the quarterly report).
• Co-design initiatives that deepen engagement with diverse actors and perspectives, including collaborative research, partnerships with academics, visiting scholar programs and other initiatives.
• Bridge crisis, regional and thematic expertise within the team, linking external trends to internal challenges and opportunities.
• Ensure a holistic, integrated approach to analysis that strengthens organizational foresight and decision-making by leveraging cross-team expertise.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in Operations, the Director General's office, Policy and External Mobilization, delivering tailored, high-quality analytical support that meets common quality standards.
• Coordinate agile analytical support to crisis and emergency mechanisms to ensure timely, effective decision-making.
• Oversee risk and reputational assessments for staff, high-level stakeholders and high-risk suppliers, in collaboration with Logistics, Risk and Assurance, Finance and other teams.
• Oversee the coordination and training of environment-scanning practitioners in delegations, with Communications and Operations.
• Coordinate with other heads of information and data teams to promote a coherent, collaborative analytical approach across the ICRC.
• Ensure continuous professional development, providing training opportunities particularly in AI and other emerging technologies.
• Co-lead the OSI Community of Practice (CoP): foster knowledge-sharing and innovation within the CoP, in collaboration with the Open-Source Information and Verification Manager.
• Establish and maintain a network of analytical specialists in think tanks, peer humanitarian organizations and the Movement; facilitate the exchange of methodologies and explore partnerships to enhance capabilities.
• Actively participate in the IFRC Technical Working Group and engage with analytical teams from the IFRC and National Societies to foster information sharing and strengthen synergies in analytical projects.
• Cultivate partnerships with external information and data service providers to secure access to tools and resources that enhance the team's capabilities.

What We're Looking For

• University degree in global affairs, international relations, political science, open-source intelligence, conflict/security studies or a related analytical field.
• Substantial experience conducting and/or managing research projects in the humanitarian sector, academia, think tanks, government, or the private sector.
• Strong command of methodologies and techniques related to open-source intelligence, strategic analysis, foresight and research.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience leading and managing a global team.
• Strong analytical capacity, adept at synthesising information; proven leadership and management skills; excellent cross-functional coordination.
• Ability to understand, translate and connect the dots between operational challenges facing the ICRC; keen interest in current affairs.
• Excellent written and oral communication.