Director, Technology and Democracy

The National Endowment for Democracy

About the organization

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a 501(c)3, bipartisan organization that serves as America’s leading foundation for freedom, providing support for democratic activists, civil society organizations, and independent media throughout the world, as well as the NED core institutes: the National Democratic Institute (ND), the International Republican Institute (IR), the Solidarity Center, and the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). Through nearly $300 million in grants to 1,800 partners in over 100 countries, NED is at the heart of supporting a global infrastructure for democracy.

Duties

Strategy: The Director will be responsible for the development of an institutional strategy to address the rapid and sweeping technological changes that are driving political development in countries around the world. Working in close collaboration with other departments, including NED’s seven regional program teams and peers in the Democracy Support Activities (DSAs) at the International Forum for Democratic Studies (Forum), the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA), and the World Movement for Democracy (WMD), the Director will weave together multiple strands of work to ensure NED’s efforts on technology and democracy are impactful, targeted, and forward-leaning. The Director will be responsible for identifying: areas of engagement where NED is particularly well-placed to have an impact; programming that links together locally-driven priorities with international developments; and tech that is critical to the advancement of NED’s mission. The Director will also lead NED’s effort to develop a coherent approach to technology and democracy across the NED family, including the four core institutes (NDI, IRI, Solidarity Center, and CIPE).

Qualifications

BA in relevant field required; MA or PhD preferred
- 11+ years of professional experience
- Experience with international democracy and human rights programming, either as an implementer or grant-maker
- Deep knowledge of the application and impact of technology on democracy, including artificial intelligence, surveillance, civic tech, big data, social media, cyber-security, internet governance, internet freedom, etc.
- International, field-based experience
- Understanding of related policy issues and political dynamics

Job Specific Requirements:
- Ability to incorporate and synthesize a broad range of highly technical information and translate it into understandable and actionable information for non-tech expert colleagues
- Strong relationships and networks in the field of democracy and technology, including the private sector
- Fluent on trends in emerging technology, digital governance norms, and digital authoritarian practices
- Deep understanding of cyber threats; use of a wide range of social media platforms; and ICT security protocols and tools
- Knowledge of broader IT issues to ensure effective communication with IT and Operational Security departments
- Project and staff management experience
- The position requires regular domestic and international travel
- Authorized to work in the United States

Application instructions

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Equal Opportunity Employment

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