Job Summary As the primary representative of ICANN in the Southern African and Indian Ocean countries, this role is charged with developing and executing the organization's strategic and tactical objectives in the region.
Based out of South Africa, the role requires strong diplomatic, analytic, educational, and outreach-related skills needed to fulfill multiple responsibilities required for the successful delivery of the organization's strategic and operational objectives in the region.
This role is charged with supporting the development and implementation of ICANN regional engagement plans using a data-driven approach. Additionally, the role will coordinate outreach and engagement activities with stakeholders to encourage greater awareness and participation in ICANN work.
The main responsibilities include conducting and supporting engagement activities; information-gathering and knowledge dissemination tasks; project management; and taking on a significant role in the development and implementation of the ICANN regional engagement plans in line with the ICANN Strategic Plan.
The duties will primarily include engagement and project management tasks, besides general coordination and operational support to the ICANN Global Stakeholder Engagement teams in Africa – to include, but not be limited to, the key responsibilities listed below.
Duties and Responsibilities
Stakeholder Engagement and Facilitation Manage, lead, and execute on stakeholder engagement in South Africa, along with countries designated by the team in the Southern Africa & Indian Ocean region, including governments, senior officials, academia, business and legal communities, and non-commercial interests. Help the Global Stakeholder Engagement team in the Africa region develop, implement, and refine the ICANN Africa Regional Engagement Plan in consultation with stakeholders participating in the African Community, in line with the ICANN Strategic Plan. Facilitate engagement in Southern Africa & Indian Ocean countries on the Coalition for Digital Africa program, in collaboration with the Coalition Secretariat and other ICANN org staff. Monitor, identify, and analyze Internet-related developments, public policy issues, and trends, and assess their impact on strategy in the Africa region, translating findings into practical plans. Develop the organization’s work in the region, including internal coordination and external partnerships. Analyze local and regional developments and create reports and communications such as position papers and reports to communicate ICANN's global strategy. Engage in regional and international Internet governance dialogues, including strategy to address issues affecting the organization. Support a disciplined communications and reporting system between the regions and the organization on issues and events relevant to ICANN's responsibilities. Negotiate effectively and influence resolution on issues in an environment with conflicting stakeholder views. Support the Global Stakeholder Engagement team in Africa in the analysis of information and data for the purpose of identifying gaps and trends. Represent ICANN in external engagement and speak at public events. Handle relationship management and communication across different stakeholder groups. Prepare presentations for community engagement, draft reports, and take notes for internal and external use; assist with specific capacity development activities. Perform other duties as assigned or requested.
Project Management / Coordination Manage regional projects implemented as part of ICANN’s Africa regional engagement plan. Develop project plans and trackers, and monitor progress. Plan project team meetings, share meeting minutes, and follow up on action items. Provide project-related reporting, including gathering and aggregating data and identifying trends.
Internal Coordination Coordinate with the regional GSE team on day-to-day operations such as processing sponsorships, administering partnership arrangements, and tracking departmental tasks and deadlines. Work cross-functionally to support the development and implementation of the ICANN regional engagement plans. Gather and analyze information and data to track regional community participation and activities for the purpose of identifying gaps and trends. Take responsibility for the CES regional admin role for the Africa region.
Qualifications and Experience
(Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.) Knowledge of the Internet, Domain Name System, and related Internet governance issues. Good understanding of ICANN’s mission and its multistakeholder model. Excellent engagement and communication skills, with the ability to develop trusted stakeholder relationships. Demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate projects with project team members and partners. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural environment with respect for diversity. Ability to work independently, yet effectively as part of a global team in a globally distributed organization. Demonstrated ability to read, write, and converse in English at a level sufficient to conduct job-related business transactions. French is desirable as an additional language, along with other languages commonly used with stakeholders in the Southern Africa and Indian Ocean sub-region within Africa. Ability to participate in and clearly represent ICANN’s role in public events.
Education and Experience Requirements Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree highly preferred in Public Policy, International Affairs, Law, Business, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. Minimum of 8 years of experience working in a multinational business, intergovernmental, or international organization.
Languages Fluency (written and spoken) in English is required. Fluency (written and spoken) in French is desired (not required).
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed. Comfort level with an international work environment that requires availability at times outside normal business hours. Work is performed in a normal office environment with limited privacy and some exposure to background noise. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and walk, regularly sit, talk or hear, and use hands and arms to reach, handle, or feel. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Work Location: South Africa (list all that could apply) Special Working Conditions: If yes, please explain
