Research and Advocacy Specialist- Global Technology Programs At Internews Network

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Research & Advocacy Specialist is a technical expertise role in Internews’ newly created Digital Democracy team. This role will be a core team member to support Internews’ expertise on the role of information in expanding democracy and human rights with an emphasis on technology/internet policy, corporate and platform accountability. The work of the Digital Democracy team is a key strategic pillar for Internews’ organizational priorities, a part of the 2025 Strategic Framework.

LOGISTICS

This is a remote-based position.

All remote candidates will be considered. However, you must have work authorization in your location that does not require sponsorship from Internews. Additionally, there are locations in which Internews is not able to support fully remote work.

Wherever possible, we work to try to find solutions for international hiring that work for both the company and the candidate. This means that some of the particulars around the offer for a role will be dependent on several factors, and that the benefits and salary structure that apply to a position will ultimately be based upon the candidate’s location and where the role is hired. The preference is to fill this position as an internal hire within Internews.

This position has a closing date of 01/10/2022.

OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A CULTURE OF BELONGING

We are an organization of dynamic, mission-driven individuals who are passionate about our core values and about supporting positive change in the world. We pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation and flexibility. We believe that diverse teams are strong teams and work to support an ethic of belonging, dignity, and justice for all people. Our current team includes a mix of genders, parents and non-parents, and people of multiple races, nationalities, ages, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are an EEO employer and encourage candidates of all races, genders, ages, orientations, ethnicities, and national origins to apply, and welcome those with alternative backgrounds and experiences.

DAY-TO-DAY TASKS will include:

• Develop key communications, methodologies, research, evaluation, and data collection to build knowledge base to support integration into broader Internews work;
• Issue spotting and research development on the themes of platform accountability, corporate responsibility, internet governance, and tech public policy;
• Champion private sector responsibility assessments with implementation teams;
• Draft position papers and nurture relationships with local partners and teams;
• Manage research projects and resources to deepen the platform accountability expertise within Internews;
• Support organizational learning on research and data outputs from various platform accountability related assessments within implementation teams;
• Develop stakeholder consortiums to develop external research expertise and consultant relationships as well as build networks for effective advocacy efforts;
• Support Platform Accountability Advisor to develop Local Impact Fund strategy in line with Internews’ Global Change Agenda and strategic priorities;
• Coordinate Local Impact Fund calls for proposals;
• Coordinate dispersal of funds under Local Impact Fund;
• Manage impact data collect and evaluation of Local Impact Fund activities and grants;
• Develop IN’s external positioning on private sector responsibility topics;
• Support business development efforts for accountable institutions work;
• Disseminate and mainstream platform accountability and Digital Democracy team’s work across Internews and to implementation teams;
• Support new strategic partnerships in target platforms/companies and target communities;
• Build strategy for planning, operationalizing, and implementing advocacy strategy around platform accountability research;
• Work with Internews teams and key partner organizations to identify opportunities to build targeted advocacy and build networks/consortiums of advocacy partners;
• In all duties, an understanding of and demonstrated commitment to upholding Internews’ Core Values.

QUALIFICATIONS WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree and Graduate degree in International Development, Public Policy, Technology Governance, and or Human rights;
• A minimum of 6 years programmatic experience with Governmental or Tech Public Policy programs and projects;
• Expertise in building methodologies for civil society organizations and implementing data collection workflows in international programs;
• Experience managing and conducting international research projects on relevant digital rights and policy issues;
• Project management, reporting and proposal writing experience for Governments, public agencies, and private sector companies;
• Ability to explain complex technical subjects in lay language to less technically experienced persons, excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Proven ability to work both independently and as an effective team member;
• Proven ability to prioritize and handle multiple on-going assignments;
• Proficiency in MS Office, Airtable, and Salesforce;
• Strong English language proficiency;
• Fluency in at least one language other than English (French, Arabic, Russia, Mandarin, Spanish, or Portuguese).

Preferred

Note: Candidates who do not have these preferred qualifications, but are interested and willing to learn, are encouraged to apply.

• Technical expertise in developing or supporting international programs on advocacy for platform accountability, internet governance, and tech and human rights issues;
• Proven ability to convene networks and use an interdisciplinary approach to solve problems;
• Experience working for governments, public sector agencies, or intergovernmental agencies;
• Experience working for tech companies or platforms;
• Experience providing technical support and project oversight to individuals or organizations;
• Proven cross-cultural professional and educational experiences and ability to collaborate with individuals from various backgrounds.

This position is being offered and hired by Internews Network. Benefits will be consistent with Internews Network’s offerings and will be reviewed during the hiring process. Additional information can be found on our About Working for Internews page.

Internews Network is an EEO/AAP/OFCCP employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. Internews does not discriminate based on race, gender, gender identity or orientation, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.