Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 01 Dec 2016
Introduction
The Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response was developed to contribute to the professionalization of the humanitarian sector by establishing quality and accountability standards in key sectors, built on a common foundation of principles and protection. From the beginning, the Handbook has been based on compiled evidence, good practice, and deep consultation to establish consensus on guidance.
This flagship document—and the broad, inclusive process which accompanies it—has allowed Sphere to evolve into a common language across the humanitarian sector and a platform for collaboration with other actors engaging in relief and humanitarian operations over the past two decades.
The Handbook, first issued as a pilot in 1998 and with periodic revisions in 2000, 2004, and 2011, must remain relevant to practitioners and responsive to changing operational environments. Preparations for the next review are now underway with a view to publication on the 20th anniversary of the Handbook in 2018.
The 2018 Handbook process will be led by the Sphere Board, and managed by the Sphere Office. A group of lead authors and thematic experts will be contracted or seconded to the process and convene broad-based consultations within their field. All Sphere country-based focal points (40+) will support consultations in their context as well. Comprehensive oversight and consolidation of these efforts will be done through the Revision Coordination team (coordinator, editor, web editor).
The Digital Platforms Architect (DPA) will be recruited for a period of up to 18 months to support the revision effort (part-time, with an estimated 12 months’ work over 18 months – to be determined). This will include 1 to 2 months prior to the public consultations to be part of detailed planning, inclusion of the concepts and drivers noted below and prepare necessary guidance for the authors and Thematic Experts.
Digital platforms needed
a) Online collaboration tools
The Sphere secretariat, the Revision coordinator and various content contributors across the world need to access, revise, comment, discuss and share timelines, chapter drafts and meeting minutes, supporting documents, articles etc in an orderly, transparent manner.
b) Participation mechanism in support of the worldwide online consultation process
Once the revision process proper has started, up to 8 different chapter drafts will be put online for direct input by thousands of contributors. These consultation channels need to be defined and created as well as systems to organise the input and feedback received in a clear and usable manner. The chapter authors should also be able to capture content that is too detailed for the Handbook proper. Such accompanying content can be published along with the online Handbook (see Figure 1 below).
Sphere also envisages to capture the evidence that supports Handbook content, which will also require a repository structure be ready.
c) Digital publishing platforms (also for exporting the pdf for printing)
While the paper Handbook remains a valued resource, a growing number of users are accessing open source and free versions in electronic format, across all languages. Cloud-based platforms for source materials, updated guidance and learning will complement the paper Handbook, along with tools for smartphone applications, assessment, monitoring, and others to serve today’s and tomorrow’s users.
Another consideration is that the Handbook should be as lean and sharp as possible, while authors will have the possibility to “outsource” certain parts of the revised information to an online Handbook platform.
For the updated information to reach various users through various electronic platforms, the Digital Platforms Architect will develop a range of output platforms ahead of the start of the revision process, to meet the needs of all platforms simultaneously. Platforms can be considered in three groups:
· Ready-to-print high-resolution PDFs or InDesign files
· Low resolution PDF files and offline accessible applications
· Live — with the potential for update in real time — web-based apps and offline apps that auto‐update content when a connection is available.
Well-designed electronic platforms could provide the opportunity to improve both the prominence and ease of access of the universal content, by including content additional to the printed Handbook, in two forms:
· Links to or copies of supporting materials, either Sphere or external
· Additional explanation, for example about how the CHS standard and/or the Protection Principles apply to a sectoral standard, or which cross-cutting issues are especially relevant.
To meet these diverse needs while keeping costs low, it is necessary to provide a very clear structure for a ‘database’ of revised content, that can support the production of each of the various outputs across platforms. Such a structured and organised set of data should also be the source material for translation, rather than the printed Handbook.
One of the drivers of the current Handbook revision is the need to ensure access to the Handbook and related tools across multiple platforms. The revision process, which includes extensive worldwide in-person and online consultations, should already keep in mind and accommodate the final presentation of the developed materials.
Key responsibilities of the Digital Platforms Architect (DPA)
The DPA will be required to carry out the following tasks:
a) In preparation of the drafting and consultation processes:
· Develop the online collaboration tools, the participatory authoring platforms and the digital publishing tools required (working in close coordination with the Revision Coordinator and Content Editor to ensure all editing requirements are well integrated into the planning).
· Work with the Handbook Revision Coordinator and Content Editor on the revision tools and best platform to conduct the revision and support supplementary cloud-based resources.
· Work with the Revision Coordinator and Content Editor on how to separate content into Handbook content and Supporting Documents content, and prepare the online platform accordingly.
· Establish guidance for all contributors to work with the online revision tool: content input, sharing content, managing comments, feeding supporting documents, manage length and content, including guidance on how to separate Handbook content from supplementary, cloud-based resources.
· Develop in close coordination with the Handbook Revision Coordinator and Content Editor production tools, templates, guidelines to improve quality and cohesion across the Handbook.
b) During the drafting process:
· Ensure support to chapter authors and other content contributors as needed.
· Perform other related duties as required.
c) After the drafting process:
· Lead on the formatting of the online Handbook version and of supplementary resources
Required skills and qualifications
· Proven expertise in digital content architecture.
· Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources.
· Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
· Ability to work under tight deadlines.
· Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience.
· Excellent oral and written English skills
Qualifications:
Experience: A minimum of five years’ experience working on digital solutions is required. Good knowledge of humanitarian response and knowledge of the Sphere Handbook. Humanitarian field experience will be an advantage.
Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in information technology, software development, communications or related fields. A first-level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Supervision
The editor is a member of the revision coordination team, reporting directly to the Sphere Director and works closely with the revision coordinator as well as content editor.
How to apply:
Recruitment process
The consultancy will be recruited for up to 12 months of work to take place over a period of 18 months (10 December 2016-May 2018). Individuals and groups of individuals (organizations, consortia, or consultants) are encouraged to apply.
Please provide a CV (for each member in the application), cover letter, and brief overview of any technical/technological approach proposed. All application materials may be sent to recruitment5@icvanetwork.org. (The Sphere Project is hosted in Geneva by ICVA through December 2016.)
Application deadline: 1 December 2016, but applications will be considered as they are received.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Please note that this may be recruited worldwide. However, applicants wishing to work in Switzerland must be registered as independent consultants or be Swiss nationals or holders of a valid Swiss work permit.
