Ndi – program Cybersecurity Specialist: Democracy & Technology

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) is seeking a Program Cybersecurity Specialist passionate about improving the global impact of the internet on democracy and politics to join the Democracy and Technology (DemTech) team. The DemTech team seeks to foster a global digital ecosystem in which democratic values are protected, promoted, and can thrive; governments are more transparent and inclusive; and all citizens are empowered to hold their government accountable.

The Program Cybersecurity Specialist will be a leading voice on these issues in the democracy and rights community, help guide the development and implementation of cybersecurity programming across NDI, work directly with at-risk partners around the globe to protect them, and engage with major technology platforms and cybersecurity standard-setting bodies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as a thought leader on cybersecurity impacts and mitigation across the global democracy and rights community as well as within NDI’s global programs
• Design and provide high-level security awareness raising and in-depth training to at-risk activists and organizers as well as NDI staff at a range of experience levels
• Provide in-depth customized risk assessment with NDI partners and clients to determine the likelihood and impact of digital security threats; develop mitigation plans based on results
• Coordinate rapid response for partner-related security incidents
• Engage with external security partners and peer organizations for threat intelligence and information sharing; stay current on global cybersecurity threats and trends; provide aggregate analysis on threat patterns
• Contribute to the planning, design, management, and evaluation of NDI’s cybersecurity-focused programs
• Contribute to global policy conversations and international fora around cybersecurity best practices that support and advance democratic norms and standards
• Advise on security implications of software architecture and hosting implementation
• Serve as primary point of contact and representative to external security partners and organizations; work with major technology firms on partner security-related issues

Required Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree required with coursework in political science, international studies and/or computer science preferred
• A minimum of six (6) years relevant work experience
• Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to communicate knowledge of complex technical topics to non-technical audiences from entry- to senior-level positions

• Demonstrated technical knowledge of information security tools and approaches, e.g. communications, encryption methods, circumvention and anonymization tools, password management tools, two-factor authentication methods, secure data storage technologies, etc.
• Knowledge of risk assessment process and experience conducting risk assessments
• Demonstrated understanding of the application of cybersecurity to human rights, freedom of expression, and privacy issues.
• Familiarity with norms and standards in global cybersecurity policy
• Experience in developing and delivering training related to information security concepts, taking into account different cultural and linguistic contexts.
• Experience designing and implementing programs and interventions for women and marginalized communities in the digital space.
• Technical ability to assist with security event identification incident and response
• Strong written and oral communications skills
• Ability to prioritize between multiple projects, complete them in a timely fashion, and follow up with supervisor on conflicting deadlines and priorities
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally, sometimes to locations which may be remote and difficult to reach.
• Fluency in a language other than English and/or time working overseas a bonus

Find all the details here.