Program Digital Security Officer

ABOUT INTERNEWS

Internews is an international non-profit organization dedicated to giving people the news and information they need, the ability to connect, and the means to make their voices heard. Since its formation in 1982, Internews has worked in more than 100 countries worldwide. Working in Sub-Saharan Africa since 1998, Internews currently has offices and projects throughout the region with its regional office in Nairobi.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Internews is seeking a Program Digital Security Officer for a two-year project in Ethiopia. The Free Voice project aims to remove restrictions to Freedom of Expression and reduce the impact of online and physical attacks on media actors in Ethiopia. The Program Digital Security Officer provides technical support to project partners and is actively involved in the planning and delivery of the project’s digital safety and security component. This position will work under the supervision of the Project Director and in close collaboration with Internews HQ Global Technology Solutions and Services (TSS) Team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work in close collaboration with the Internews HQ Global Technology Solutions and Services (TSS) team to conduct digital security-based assessments for media organizations in Ethiopia.
• Serve as a digital safety and security expert in the Ethiopian context, specifically with regard to journalists and other at-risk communities.
• Keep informed of current or emerging threats and mitigation techniques as they apply to media actors in Ethiopia and share this information with the TSS team.
• Respond to incidents and mentor trainers, journalists, and CSOs as they provide rapid response to communities and organization in Ethiopia, including coordination with regional and global cyber safety response mechanisms.

Training & Mentorship:

• Support the development and implementation of digital safety and security awareness-raising engagements for journalists and CSOs in Ethiopia.
• Act as a primary liaison and point of contact for training participants and project partners on all the digital safety and security components.
• Provide training to and serve as a mentor for selected trainees, ensuring knowledge and implementation of tailored digital safety practices.

Facilitation & Skill-Building:

• Co-organize and co-facilitate skill-building workshops for journalists and CSOs.
• Provide support and technical expertise during other in-person events, including curriculum development sprints.
• Lead virtual and in-person training sessions for participants, based on the training agenda, using participant-led learning processes and incorporating adult-learning methodologies and best practices.

Curriculum Development & Localization:

• Collaobrate with the project team and partners to identify skill gaps, needs, and existing resources.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance during the development of new digital safety resources and localization of existing resources (including guides, toolkits, etc., to be produced in Amharic).
• Strategically shape new training resources developed under the project to ensure they are scalable and relevant at the global level.

Administration:

• Contribute to the writing and compiling of program reporting, including quarterly reports and other project-related reports.
• Provide technical support to Internews subgrant partners implementing digital literacy, safety, and hygeine activities.
• Help track project metrics that serve to measure the success of safety practices.
• Draft project-specific content for internal and external communications, including blog posts and programmatic highlights.
• Completing other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & ABILITIES

We’re seeking a candidate who brings strong technical competencies to the team, along with a collaborative attitude and empathy-driven security mindset. We are seeking a team member who excels at balancing their daily responsibilities with longer-term project work. The successful candidate has a strong interest in digital security broadly, with a willingness to grow and learn.

Required:

• Understand and demonstrate commitment to upholding Internews’ Core Values.
• Experience as a digital safety trainer, including experience developing a training curriculum.
• Experience working on digital safety and journalist safety; preference for experience in threat modeling for different populations and operating environments.
• Experience working on programs countering Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence.
• Experience with the selection and use of digital safety-related software (including secure communication tools) and equipment for individuals or organizations.
• Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills.
• Professional-level fluency in English. Fluency in Amharic is an advantage and will be considered a plus.
• Ability to multi-task and proven organizational skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Experience with administrative systems of international NGOs preferred.
• Team player.
• Must be self-reliant, thoughtful, a good problem-solver, good-humored, and flexible.
• Ability to travel within and spend extended time in the field, with limited facilities, often under harsh conditions.