Senior Director, Global Internet & Technology Initiatives - Internews - Remote/Washington, D.C., United States
Technology is central to Internews' mission and is a core part of how we perceive the world and solve problems within it. The Senior Director (SD) of Global Internet & Technology Initiatives (GITI) serves as Internews' global expert on the role of technology in expanding democracy and human rights and countering digital authoritarianism, specifically on all aspects of information access, the evolution of AI, internet governance, tech sector accountability and the intersection of these issues in communities around the world. The Senior Director is also the leader of a team of diverse technology and internet freedom professionals.
The Senior Director supervises the program directors and managers within their department, who in turn are responsible for the overall management of their respective portfolios and/or projects which comprises a team of more than 50 talented individuals. The Senior Director is responsible for outreach, partnerships, and fundraising necessary to advance departmental and organizational goals. The Senior Director will engage regularly with programs funded by the US Government, European Union, and other mechanisms, and will support expansion efforts to relevant public or private sectors.
GITI currently consists of three sub-teams - Internet Freedom & Resilience programs, Global Technology Hub services, and the Greater Internet Freedom project - overseeing cross-cutting domains of expertise in areas of information security, digital safety and privacy, censorship circumvention, internet policy projects, social media platform engagement, and direct service and support to media and civil society.
DAY-TO-DAY TASKS will include:
Organizational Leadership and Corporate Responsibilities
- The Senior Director is a member of Internews' senior management group. This role engages regularly with senior staff, advises on issues that affect the overall organization, and participates in strategic, annual planning and organizational development activities.
- The SD is expected to deliver results across both Internews US and Internews Europe.
- The SD is expected to serve as a spokesperson for programs, Internews, and its strategy and mission when participating in public events.
- Develop organizational strategy for the role, approach, impact, and learning for Global Internet & Technology Initiatives programs that supports the overall Internews Strategy.
- Annually craft departmental work plans and budgets in collaboration with section leads that effectively advance this strategy within available resources.
- Strategically grow a portfolio of global technology projects, with an eye towards innovation, impact, and organizational learning.
- Work with program portfolio directors and managers to ensure all global technology projects meet their goals and targets, are compliant, and produce timely and high-quality programmatic and financial reports.
- Work with the Global Business Management team and program directors/managers to regularly review portfolio progress for program impact, and to ensure that projects across the portfolio are compliant with overall finance and administrative policies of Internews.
- Work with program directors/managers to adjust/improve program implementation, as necessary.
QUALIFICATIONS WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Required
- At least 12 years of progressively senior experience in a relevant sector or industry, including at least 7 years' experience of managing in international non-profit organizations.
- A background in technology, internet freedom, media programs (management, online/digital, policy) and/or experience with innovative digital communication platforms.
- Demonstrated expertise and in-depth knowledge of technology broadly, including internet freedom, digital rights, digital security and AI policy, ethics, and legal considerations.
- Extensive experience with internal development grants management, donor and international partner relations. Experience working with the U.S. Agency for International Development, the European Commission, other donor agencies and private development organizations is strongly encouraged.
- Experience working with multi-stakeholder groups, working groups, and coalitions at the international level devoted to policy and problem solving in relevant sectors.
- Experience in non-profit business development; researching development and funding opportunities, leading proposal teams on relevant internet freedom and technology policy inputs.
- Track record of planning, goal setting, and achieving major results to deadlines. Proven capabilities in monitoring and evaluation processes for development programs and technology products, as relevant, preferred.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of an international and diverse team in a flexible, dynamic environment across multiple time zones and working divisions at Internews.
- Native / bilingual fluency in English essential for this role; professional proficiency in additional languages strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills including diplomacy, tact, and the ability to negotiate in international and local contexts.
- Experience living and working overseas; international work experience on applied internet freedom, technology, media and policy programs strongly preferred.
- Excellent communication skills: speaking, presenting, writing, and listening.
- Ability to work both independently and as an effective team member.
- Proven ability to prioritize and handle multiple ongoing assignments to deadline.
- Ability and willingness to travel extensively as needed in support of programs and initiatives.