Senior Advisor for Cybersecurity & Disinformation

Job Details

Description

Job Summary

Every employee of IRI is responsible for carrying out the Mission of IRI and demonstrating the Core Values in their day to day operations. The Core Values, which are IRI’s foundational building blocks include:

Excellence– We believe in quality results delivered by investing in people. Freedom– We believe in exploration and experimentation to be agile and responsive. Respect- We believe in trust, empathy and empowering people. Teamwork- We believe in diversity, inclusion and the power of global collaboration. Transparency– We believe in open communication and clear decision-making. Accountability- We believe in personal responsibility as the foundation of success.

The International Republican Institute’s Center for Global Impact is designed to help IRI learn, innovate, and lead in global democratic development programming. Comprised of experts specializing in a range of technical areas and program staff who oversee global and cross-cutting initiatives, the Center leads the Institute’s efforts to contribute to thought leadership, respond to emerging global challenges and trends, facilitate global initiatives, and serve as an incubator for new ideas and cutting-edge approaches.

The Senior Advisor for Cybersecurity & Disinformation will serve as the subject matter expert, provide technical expertise and support for IRI’s cybersecurity and disinformation programming. The Senior Advisor will institutionalize cybersecurity and disinformation programming across the Institute, lead business development efforts, build external relationships and partnerships, and ensure the Center is building and sharing expertise, resources and skills Institute-wide. The Senior Advisor will be part of the Center’s Technology & Democracy team, reporting to the Director for Technology & Democracy. In collaboration with other senior leadership, the Senior Advisor will play a key role in developing strategic partnerships as well as representing and increasing awareness of IRI on assigned topics within the government, think tank, non-profit, and private sector communities. The Senior Advisor will contribute to and lead the Center’s involvement in developing innovative, responsive program approaches and tools for the Institute on cybersecurity and disinformation programming.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities

Internal Engagement & Technical Advice

• Leads and provides strategic direction on IRI’s cybersecurity and disinformation programming, with a focus on threat intelligence, digital authoritarianism, and its effects on civic and political processes globally, specifically:
  • Builds and coordinates an institute-wide approach to cybersecurity that is reflected in all program design in order to embed cybersecurity capacity building across all IRI programming with beneficiaries around the world.
  • Works closely with IRI’s regional programs and Countering Foreign Authoritarian Influence team to ensure that IRI’s programmatic approaches to combating information operations in partner countries are rooted in best practices.
• Oversees and ensures quality of technical expertise and assistance to IRI regional divisions in developing program ideas and activities for emerging projects on topics specifically related to cybersecurity and disinformation.
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with colleagues across the Institute, particularly Regional Division leadership, and reinforce the Center’s inclusive, collaborative approach to staff across the Institute, and provide technical support to Regional Division staff.
• Develop and contribute to the development of program ideas and activities for new proposals and current projects for Center-led and Center-supported new proposals in his/her assigned technical areas of expertise.
• Contribute to the development and promotion of products, resources and tools that are used by staff and donors and partners and used for program development and outreach purposes.
• Provide oversight for the management and implementation of any grants/projects assigned, and assume fiduciary responsibility for assigned program finances including analysis, budget monitoring and projections in full compliance with IRI and funder requirements.
• Maintain an understanding of donor and IRI policies and procedures provides oversight and ensures grant compliance.
• Supervise junior staff as needed.

External Outreach & Thought Leadership

• Publish and/or co-author Op-Ed, blogs, and other written articles to demonstrate IRI’s thought leadership, experiences, approaches and results in his/her assigned technical areas of expertise.
• Provides targeted briefings for USG officials, Members of Congress, technology companies, diplomatic and international stakeholders.
• Measure and analyze funder trends related to cybersecurity and disinformation programming in the DRG sector and lead and support the Institute’s efforts to identify and win new funding from traditional and non-traditional donors and foundations on information integrity programming and initiatives.
• Identify and seek new business development opportunities and develop strong professional relationships with potential donors and partners in his/her assigned technical areas of expertise.
• Proactively engage in outreach and branding opportunities to increase IRI as a thought leader in the democracy and technology community.
• Develop and cultivate strong contacts with key stakeholders in the DRG, international development/foreign policy/think tank community and technology companies particularly on technical or global areas of IRI’s work assigned.
• Identify and seek opportunities for him/herself and other IRI staff to participate in global and thematic events and initiatives including speaking events and global conferences.

Position Requirements

• Graduate degree in political science, international relations or related field required.
• Ten or more years of relevant professional experience in cybersecurity, digital forensics, threat intelligence, disinformation research or programming, international relations or a related field.
• Advanced knowledge of cybersecurity, digital forensics, digital authoritarianism and social media platform approaches to disinformation.
• Demonstrated understanding of the cybersecurity and disinformation landscape and various approaches to counter cyber and disinformation threats.
• Deep experience researching, analyzing cybersecurity and disinformation threat actors and operations, and translating it into effective programmatic approaches and interventions to support a diverse set of democratic actors globally and mitigate their impact in third country contexts.
• Excellent writing, communications, and presentation skills.
• Strong ability to initiate, foster, interact, and maintain relationships with contacts and stakeholders in a diverse and multicultural environment, with sensitivity, respect, discretion, tact, and professionalism.
• Ability to effectively direct or participate in complex negotiations with bilateral and/or multilateral government agencies, technology companies, other funders or relevant audiences.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet regional needs.
• Proven knowledge of USG funding regulations, and familiarity with international NGO interlocutors.
• Experience identifying complex problems and developing creative solutions.
• Willingness to travel to remote and sometime difficult countries.