Senior Advisor for Indigenous Community Connectivity

About the Internet Society

The Internet Society is a global non-profit organization that works to protect the Internet as a place of opportunity. We connect and empower communities to ensure the Internet remains trustworthy—open, globally connected, secure, and a resource for good in the world. We believe the Internet is for everyone. But it’s more than just a privilege; it’s our responsibility to improve it.

We mobilize technologist, end users, potential users, policymakers, government agencies and institutional and corporate partners to defend and promote the collaborative inter-networking, technical standards, and protocols that grow and strengthen the Internet.

If you believe in the power and possibility of the Internet, be part of our mission.

The Internet Society (ISOC) is committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion, where all individuals are valued for their distinct contributions. Our people are the most valuable strengths we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our staff invests in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and ISOC’s achievements.

About the position

The Internet Society (ISOC) is seeking a Senior Advisor for Indigenous Community Connectivity to join our expert staff. This person will advance the Internet Society’s objectives to close the connectivity gap with a particular focus on community connectivity initiatives in North America.

The ideal candidate is a community champion who is passionate and experienced in mobilizing unconnected and under-served communities to implement bottom-up connectivity solutions to bridge the digital divide. The Senior Advisor for Community Connectivity should have an in depth understanding of the unique connectivity challenges that Indigenous communities face. Therefore, the position requires substantial knowledge of the Internet technologies, access policies and the regulatory environment, to support communities to build their own complementary connectivity solutions. To be successful, this candidate will be a team player, a self-starter, a creative thinker and can build strong ties with Indigenous communities in North America.

This position will join the Internet Society’s global team of project expert staff in the Office of Resource and Skill Management and will be assigned to work on ISOC’s Internet Projects to Grow and Strengthen the Internet worldwide.

This is a 2 year term position with a possibility of renewal.

Location

North America- Remote

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Contribute to the execution of ISOC’s Objectives to Grow the Internet in North America through community outreach, policy advocacy, and capacity building.
• Develop and strengthen ties between the Internet Society and partners including Indigenous communities, civil society, private sector, and governments.
• Mobilize partners and community members to advocate and develop materials for policy changes.
• Work directly with communities to identify, develop, and implement bottom-up complementary connectivity solutions. This includes community mobilization, training communities on technical solutions, assisting communities to develop strategic partnerships and relationships, policy advocacy on funding and spectrum allocation, and support.
• Provide information and analyses, both verbally and in writing, to internal leadership as well as policymakers, advocates, chapters, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the Internet Society in a variety of settings, including with governments, regional and international policy and technical fora, civil society and the private sector in a manner that maintains the high standards of the Internet Society.
• Other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications

• An undergraduate/vocational degree and/or at least three years of relevant work experience in broadband policy, Indigenous issues, and/or policy advocacy. Additional educational or work experience is a plus
• Knowledge and experience in addressing the Internet policy and technical challenges faced by under-served communities
• Community organizing and mobilizing experience
• Lived experience or experience working with Indigenous communities
• Self-starter with a collaborative working style
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in additional languages is desired.
• Commitment to the Internet Society’s mission, values and objectives
• Experience working with a Globally distributed workforce and ability to work across time zone
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability interact positively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment
• Travel: Once conditions permit, this person will be expected to travel

Compensation and benefit package for this position will be competitively commensurate with the successful applicant’s qualifications. Applications will be evaluated until the position has been filled. The list of applicants will not be posted publicly and will be reviewed in confidence by members of the evaluation committee.

The Internet Society is an equal opportunity employer, committed to hiring regardless of any protected characteristic, such as race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability status, or military/veteran status. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals.