Director of Digital Identity & Brand Protection (Volunteer)

Director of Digital Identity & Brand Protection (Volunteer)

PromiseShield | Digital Identity, Online Impersonation Prevention & Brand Protection

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: PromiseShield

Department: Digital Identity & Brand Protection

Location: Remote — United States

Position Type: Volunteer (Unpaid) | Department Leadership

Commitment: Approximately 5–10 hours per week

Minimum Commitment: 6 months

Reports To: PromiseShield Leadership

Works Closely With: IT Security, Cybersecurity Operations, Privacy, PromiseTrust, PromiseVoice, PromisePublic, PromiseBrands, PromiseGiving, and PromisePrograms

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, education, literacy, social-emotional learning, creative expression, workforce development, advocacy, and community partnerships.

Our mission is to help young people build stability, opportunity, belonging, and hope.

We believe every child deserves a promise kept.

As MAP expands its programs, partnerships, communications, and digital presence, protecting the organization's identity and the trust of the communities we serve becomes increasingly important.

Families, volunteers, donors, and community partners must be able to distinguish authentic MAP communications from impersonation, fraudulent activity, and misleading representations.

Protecting that trust is an essential part of protecting our mission.

About PromiseShield

PromiseShield is MAP's cybersecurity, privacy, digital protection, and information security division.

The division works to safeguard organizational systems, sensitive information, digital operations, and the people who interact with MAP.

Within PromiseShield, the Digital Identity & Brand Protection Department focuses on protecting MAP's identity across online platforms, identifying potential impersonation and fraud, supporting appropriate incident response, and strengthening public confidence in the organization's official digital presence.

The department collaborates with cybersecurity, legal, communications, brand, and program leadership to ensure concerns are assessed accurately and addressed through appropriate channels.

Position Overview

Mentor A Promise is seeking a strategic, detail-oriented, and proactive Director of Digital Identity & Brand Protection to establish and lead a new department within PromiseShield.

This position offers an opportunity to build a critical organizational function from the ground up.

The Director will develop the systems, procedures, reporting mechanisms, and collaborative relationships necessary to identify, assess, document, and respond to digital identity threats affecting MAP.

These may include fraudulent social media accounts, unauthorized use of organizational branding, misleading websites, suspicious fundraising campaigns, phishing-related impersonation, and other deceptive activity involving MAP's identity.

The role requires strong investigative judgment, organizational leadership, ethical decision-making, and an understanding of how online threats can affect nonprofit organizations and vulnerable communities.

The Director will also help MAP strengthen preventive measures, educate team members, and establish clear processes for verifying official accounts and communications.

This is not simply a social media monitoring position.

It is an opportunity to create and lead a digital trust and brand protection function that supports organizational credibility, public safety, donor confidence, and long-term resilience.

Key Responsibilities

Department Leadership & Strategic Development

• Establish the Digital Identity & Brand Protection Department within PromiseShield.
• Develop the department's mission, priorities, operational framework, and annual objectives.
• Create practical policies, procedures, and workflows for identifying and responding to digital identity concerns.
• Develop a phased implementation plan aligned with available volunteer capacity.
• Define departmental roles, responsibilities, escalation pathways, and reporting expectations.
• Recruit, onboard, mentor, and supervise volunteers as the department grows.
• Establish regular department meetings, progress reviews, and leadership updates.
• Identify resource needs, operational gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Promote accountability, sound judgment, and consistent documentation across departmental activities.

Digital Identity Monitoring & Threat Identification

• Establish proportionate monitoring processes for public digital platforms.
• Identify potentially fraudulent or unauthorized accounts using MAP's name, logo, branding, or organizational identity.
• Monitor for suspicious fundraising pages, misleading websites, and deceptive organizational representations.
• Identify patterns involving impersonation, phishing, fraudulent solicitation, or identity misuse.
• Maintain an accurate directory of MAP's official websites, social media accounts, domains, and authorized digital channels.
• Coordinate with account owners to verify whether questionable accounts or communications are legitimate.
• Prioritize monitoring based on risk, available resources, and organizational exposure.
• Distinguish potential impersonation or fraud from legitimate criticism, independent commentary, parody, or unrelated activity.

Incident Assessment & Risk Prioritization

• Establish criteria for assessing digital identity incidents.
• Evaluate concerns based on credibility, potential harm, urgency, and affected audiences.
• Identify incidents that may involve financial fraud, child safeguarding, sensitive information, or compromised organizational accounts.
• Determine appropriate internal escalation pathways.
• Coordinate urgent concerns with PromiseShield leadership and relevant departments.
• Document the basis for incident classifications and recommendations.
• Avoid unsupported accusations or premature conclusions.
• Recommend proportionate responses based on verified information.

Evidence Collection & Incident Documentation

• Develop and maintain a secure digital identity incident register.
• Document relevant URLs, screenshots, dates, platform details, and incident descriptions.
• Track assigned owners, actions taken, platform responses, and resolution status.
• Establish consistent documentation standards.
• Preserve relevant evidence using authorized and lawful methods.
• Minimize unnecessary collection or retention of personal information.
• Restrict access to sensitive incident materials.
• Maintain organized records that support continuity, accountability, and appropriate escalation.

Platform Reporting & Resolution Management

• Develop procedures for reporting impersonation, fraud, misleading representations, and other applicable violations.
• Prepare accurate, evidence-based reports for relevant digital platforms.
• Submit reports when authorized or coordinate submissions through designated organizational representatives.
• Track platform responses, requests for additional information, and outstanding cases.
• Coordinate follow-up actions and permitted appeals when appropriate.
• Maintain records of successful resolutions and unresolved incidents.
• Refer intellectual property disputes, legal notices, and potential litigation to PromiseTrust.
• Avoid unauthorized contact, confrontation, or engagement with suspected impersonators.

Brand Identity Verification & Prevention

• Establish processes for verifying MAP's official digital presence.
• Maintain coordination with authorized account managers and platform administrators.
• Recommend improvements to account ownership documentation and verification practices.
• Identify inconsistencies in organizational branding that may create confusion.
• Collaborate with PromiseBrands and PromiseVoice on accurate representation of MAP's identity.
• Support procedures for approving new organizational accounts and digital channels.
• Recommend appropriate account verification and identity protection measures.
• Help reduce opportunities for unauthorized individuals to misrepresent the organization.

Fraud Prevention & Community Protection

• Develop guidance for recognizing suspicious fundraising requests and misleading communications.
• Collaborate with PromiseGiving to protect donor-facing communications and fundraising channels.
• Support procedures for verifying legitimate donation pages and campaigns.
• Identify concerns that could affect families, youth, volunteers, donors, or partners.
• Coordinate with relevant leadership when potentially harmful activity is identified.
• Recommend appropriate public education or preventive communication.
• Ensure community-facing guidance is accessible, accurate, and approved before distribution.

Cybersecurity & Digital Threat Coordination

• Collaborate with IT Security and Cybersecurity Operations on phishing, malicious links, suspicious account activity, and potential compromises.
• Escalate technical threats to the appropriate cybersecurity professionals.
• Support coordination when digital impersonation overlaps with account security or data protection concerns.
• Share relevant findings through approved internal channels.
• Contribute to incident reviews and prevention recommendations.
• Maintain clear boundaries between brand protection investigations and technical cybersecurity operations.

Public Communications & Reputation Coordination

• Collaborate with PromiseVoice on approved communications concerning confirmed impersonation or fraudulent activity.
• Coordinate with PromisePublic when external affairs or community-facing guidance is appropriate.
• Help ensure public notices accurately identify verified concerns without unnecessary alarm.
• Support consistent messaging about MAP's official communication channels.
• Distinguish legitimate criticism or negative commentary from deceptive activity.
• Protect freedom of expression and avoid using brand protection processes to suppress lawful criticism.
• Obtain required leadership approval before public statements or external commitments.

Digital Safety Education & Awareness

• Develop practical guidance for staff and volunteers on identifying suspicious accounts and communications.
• Establish a clear internal reporting process for potential digital identity concerns.
• Create educational resources explaining how to verify official MAP accounts.
• Train team members on basic evidence preservation and escalation procedures.
• Encourage prompt reporting without unnecessary speculation or confrontation.
• Support awareness initiatives that strengthen organizational digital safety.
• Help create a culture of vigilance, professionalism, and responsible online engagement.

Cross-Divisional Collaboration

• Partner with PromiseShield leadership on digital protection strategy and incident coordination.
• Work with IT Security and Cybersecurity Operations on technical threats and compromised accounts.
• Collaborate with PromiseTrust on intellectual property, legal risk, and enforcement questions.
• Coordinate with PromiseVoice on official channels, communications, and reputation-related concerns.
• Partner with PromisePublic on approved external notices and public education.
• Work with PromiseBrands on brand identity, authorized visual assets, and trademark-related concerns.
• Collaborate with PromiseGiving on fraudulent donation pages and donor protection.
• Coordinate with PromisePrograms when incidents may affect youth, families, or program partners.
• Engage PromiseGovernance when organizational accountability or policy oversight is required.

Leadership Responsibilities

The Director will provide operational leadership across the following functions.

Digital Identity Protection

Responsible for:

• Official account inventories
• Digital identity verification
• Online impersonation monitoring
• Unauthorized identity use assessments
• Preventive protection procedures

Incident Response & Documentation

Responsible for:

• Incident intake
• Risk assessment
• Evidence documentation
• Escalation coordination
• Resolution tracking

Platform Reporting & Follow-Up

Responsible for:

• Platform impersonation reports
• Fraud-related reporting coordination
• Case status tracking
• Platform follow-up
• Resolution documentation

Prevention & Awareness

Responsible for:

• Digital identity awareness
• Team education
• Official channel verification guidance
• Internal reporting procedures
• Prevention recommendations

Department Operations & Development

Responsible for:

• Department strategy
• Volunteer leadership
• Operational procedures
• Performance tracking
• Leadership reporting
• Continuous improvement

Potential Department Structure

As the department develops, the Director may help recruit and supervise positions such as:

• Digital Identity & Brand Protection Manager
• Online Impersonation & Fraud Prevention Specialist
• Digital Brand Protection Analyst
• Digital Threat Monitoring Analyst
• Platform Reporting & Resolution Coordinator
• Digital Identity Verification Specialist
• Digital Safety & Awareness Coordinator
• Digital Brand Protection Research Assistant

The department's structure will develop according to organizational priorities, available resources, and demonstrated operational needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in digital brand protection, online trust and safety, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, digital investigations, platform operations, or related fields.
• Strong analytical, research, and investigative skills.
• Familiarity with social media platforms and reporting mechanisms.
• Understanding of common online impersonation, phishing, and fraud tactics.
• Experience documenting incidents and maintaining accurate operational records.
• Ability to assess incomplete or conflicting information objectively.
• Strong written communication and organizational skills.
• Experience leading teams, coordinating volunteers, or managing projects.
• Sound judgment when handling sensitive or potentially reputationally harmful matters.
• Ability to collaborate with cybersecurity, legal, communications, and operational teams.
• Commitment to confidentiality, privacy, child safeguarding, and ethical investigative practices.
• Passion for MAP's mission and the communities we serve.

Preferred Experience

• Experience establishing a new department, team, or operational process.
• Familiarity with nonprofit digital communications or fundraising platforms.
• Experience coordinating platform impersonation reports or fraud complaints.
• Knowledge of digital identity verification and account ownership practices.
• Experience with incident management, risk assessment, or threat intelligence.
• Familiarity with intellectual property considerations involving online identity misuse.
• Experience creating training materials or digital safety guidance.

Equivalent practical experience is welcome. A specific degree or certification is not required.

First 90-Day Priorities

Days 1–30: Assessment & Foundation

• Meet with PromiseShield leadership and relevant departmental stakeholders.
• Inventory MAP's known official social media accounts, domains, and digital channels.
• Identify authorized account owners and existing verification procedures.
• Review known digital identity concerns and organizational exposure.
• Draft the department's initial operating framework.
• Establish a preliminary incident intake and documentation process.

Days 31–60: Procedures & Coordination

• Implement a secure incident register.
• Develop incident assessment and escalation criteria.
• Establish reporting procedures for priority digital platforms.
• Coordinate departmental responsibilities with cybersecurity, communications, and legal leadership.
• Develop initial guidance for internal incident reporting.
• Identify volunteer staffing and resource needs.

Days 61–90: Implementation & Improvement

• Begin proportionate monitoring of priority public platforms.
• Test incident intake, assessment, and reporting workflows.
• Deliver an initial digital identity awareness resource.
• Review unresolved concerns and recommend next steps.
• Present an initial departmental progress report to PromiseShield leadership.
• Establish priorities and milestones for the following quarter.

Measures of Success

• Establishment of a functioning Digital Identity & Brand Protection Department.
• Accurate and regularly maintained inventory of official MAP digital channels.
• Consistent incident intake, assessment, and escalation procedures.
• Complete and reliable incident documentation.
• Timely action within agreed volunteer coverage and response expectations.
• Appropriate follow-up on platform reports and unresolved concerns.
• Improved coordination across cybersecurity, communications, legal, and brand functions.
• Increased awareness of digital impersonation risks among MAP team members.
• Clear reporting to PromiseShield leadership.
• Demonstrated improvement in preventive processes and organizational readiness.

Why This Role Matters

Trust is one of the most valuable assets a nonprofit organization possesses.

Families trust us with their children's learning experiences.

Volunteers trust us with their time and dedication.

Donors trust us to communicate honestly and responsibly.

Partners trust us to represent our mission with integrity.

When an individual creates a fraudulent account, impersonates an organization, or misuses its identity, the consequences can extend beyond reputational harm.

People may receive misleading information, encounter fraudulent solicitations, or become exposed to privacy and security risks.

For an organization serving children and families experiencing housing instability, those risks deserve particular attention.

The Director of Digital Identity & Brand Protection will help MAP build the safeguards, systems, and awareness needed to respond responsibly.

This position is an opportunity to create an important organizational function that protects trust, strengthens digital accountability, and supports the continued growth of our mission.

Volunteer Expectations

• Commit approximately 5–10 hours per week for a minimum of six months.
• Participate in relevant leadership and departmental meetings.
• Maintain timely, professional communication and reliable follow-through.
• Provide regular progress updates to PromiseShield leadership.
• Follow MAP's confidentiality, privacy, cybersecurity, and safeguarding policies.
• Use only authorized tools, accounts, and lawful investigative methods.
• Avoid unauthorized access, covert account intrusion, or independent enforcement actions.
• Restrict sensitive incident information to approved personnel.
• Obtain appropriate authorization before external reporting, public statements, or legal commitments.
• Maintain organized records and support continuity of departmental operations.
• Provide at least two weeks' notice when ending volunteer service whenever possible.

This volunteer role does not require continuous monitoring, around-the-clock availability, or independent emergency response. The Director will establish realistic coverage expectations and escalation arrangements with PromiseShield leadership.

What You'll Gain

• Leadership experience establishing and managing a digital identity protection department.
• Opportunities to develop operational frameworks, incident response procedures, and prevention strategies.
• Experience coordinating across cybersecurity, legal, communications, brand, and nonprofit leadership functions.
• Opportunities to mentor volunteers and develop a multidisciplinary protection team.
• Experience addressing real-world digital identity and trust challenges.
• Exposure to nonprofit governance, organizational risk management, and digital safety operations.
• Potential professional references based on demonstrated contributions.
• Meaningful experience protecting the credibility and integrity of an organization serving children and families experiencing housing instability.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and submit a resume and cover letter.

Please highlight relevant experience involving digital identity protection, trust and safety, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, online investigations, social media platform operations, risk management, or related disciplines.

We are especially interested in candidates who can demonstrate sound judgment, organizational leadership, strong documentation practices, and the ability to build practical systems from the ground up.

Protecting an organization's identity means protecting the trust of the people who believe in its mission.

Help Mentor A Promise build a safer, more accountable digital presence where families, volunteers, donors, and community partners can engage with confidence.

Join PromiseShield and help protect the promise behind our name.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.