Job Summary

The Coalition for Digital Africa (“Coalition”) is aimed at the development of local Internet infrastructures to support the growth and sustainability of Africa’s digital economy, and to explore new business models promoting the innovation and digital transformation of Africa. 

The Coalition for Digital Africa Secretariat role, which reports to the VP, Global Stakeholder Engagement, Africa, is responsible for executing the strategic and tactical objectives of the Coalition, communications, and operations of the Coalition.

The position is centered at ICANN's regional office in Nairobi, Kenya. Candidates based in other ICANN locations such as Belgium, Switzerland or Türkiye may also be considered.

The role requires strong project management, diplomatic, analytical, educational and outreach related skills needed to fulfill multiple responsibilities required for the successful delivery of the Coalition's objectives in the region.  

The candidate needs to communicate well on Internet technical/technology issues as an representative of the Coalition for Digital Africa.

https://www.coalitionfordigitalafrica.africa/

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Coalition, including regular communications with participants and project partners.
• Develop and implement operational procedures for the Coalition.
• Plan and execute the Coalition’s engagement activities with Coalition participants and other stakeholders, including governments, and senior officials, the academic, business and legal communities, and non-commercial interests.
• Analyze local and regional developments, and create reports and communications such as position papers and reports to communicate to ICANN org and other Coalition participants.
• Support the development and execution of communications plans for the Coalition and its projects; coordinate updates to the Coalition website.
• Coordinate and support communications across the Coalition’s participants, providing regular reporting on projects and activities.
• Support recruiting and onboarding of new Coalition participants.
• Support a disciplined communications and reporting system between the Coalition’s participants and the organization on issues and events relevant to the Coalition’s mission and objectives.
• Maintain favorable relations with the regional media, shareholders, employees and the general public.
• Strengthen stakeholder engagement and participation, specifically government, business, technical and civil society.
• Work in close collaboration with ICANN org’s cross-functional team supporting the Coalition, including program manager, program coordinator, project managers, and communications and legal liaisons.
• Provide project management support for Coalition-related initiatives in coordination with Coalition participants, including ICANN.
• Manage the budget for the Coalition secretariat operation. 
• Develop and maintain an events’ calendar for the Coalition.
• Schedule meetings, set agendas, distribute minutes, and lead team meetings.
• Develop project management documents based on the project team’s input, prepare project status reports and dashboard, and keep project folders and documents current.
• Escalate issues to the VP, Global Stakeholder Engagement, Africa as needed.
• Other duties as assigned or requested by the VP, Global Stakeholder Engagement, Africa.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):  

• Ability to read and write and converse in at least one of the languages of the region other than English at a level sufficient to conduct job-related business transactions required.
• Knowledge of the Internet, Domain Name System and common related issues required.
• Proven ability to communicate complex and often controversial information, concepts, policies and positions, both verbally and in writing, to internal and external audiences.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to work in a global environment with strong awareness and ability towards engaging with all cultures and interests.
• Ability to work in globally distributed organization.
• Ability to work with highly diverse workforce.
• Able to work independently (self-motivated).
• Must have excellent communication skills.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree required, Study in International Relations, Policy, Law, International Business and/or an appropriate technical fields desired.
• Minimum eight (8) years of experience working in an international legal, governmental and/or multi-stakeholder environment.
• Prior experience with project and program management.
• Prior experience at senior level in government preferred.
• Prior international experience strongly preferred.

Language

• Fluency, both written and spoken, in English is required.
• Fluent written and spoken language skills in any of the other official United Nations languages is strongly preferred.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• Work is performed in a normal office environment with limited privacy and some exposure to background noise.
• Willingness and ability to work remotely including virtual meetings in different time zones, as needed.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee regularly is required to sit. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear; use hands and arms to reach, handle or feel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.  
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

https://www.coalitionfordigitalafrica.africa/