ABA ROLI Digital Rights and Internet Freedom Expert

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) is recruiting a Digital Rights and Internet Freedom Expert for an anticipated regional program that will engage civil society, legal sector, private sector, and government entities in Southeast Asia. This consultant position is contingent on the availability of funding; applications are being accepted in anticipation of approval for funding.

Job Summary

ABA ROLI is seeking a consultant to fill the role of Digital Rights and Internet Freedom Technical Advisor. In this position, the Advisor will contribute to design and implement program activities promoting internet freedom, digital privacy rights, and to counter digital authoritarianism in Southeast Asia and with the potential to expand program activities in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Digital Rights and Internet Freedom Technical Advisor will provide general management of program activities, identify, and build relationships with relevant stakeholders as well as oversee the development of pro-bono lawyers’ networks in the region, among other duties and responsibilities as outlined below.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists in the creation, fostering, nurturing, and expansion of working relationships with host governments, host country legal leaders, other NGOs, donors, and similarly situated entities to bolster and enhance the opportunity for achieving/exceeding ABA and ROLI plan/program objectives

• Assists the headquarters-based Program Director in liaising with key partners and collaborators and developing new and relevant collaborative partnerships and represents ABA ROLI within assigned region

• In coordination with regional partners and headquarters, leads and is accountable for the development and implementation of needs-driven training, recruitment of workshop faculty, and identification of participants

• Oversees regionally based staff as necessary, including potentially a regionally based Program Officer and coordination of subgrant partners

• Creates and oversees appropriate budgetary tracking and monitoring tools to efficiently review actual to planned budget performance

• Actively participates in and oversees the development of program monitoring and evaluation plans and ensures the effective implementation of M&E systems is based upon such data

• Assists in the creation, fostering, nurturing, and expansion of working relationships with host governments, host country legal leaders, other NGOs, donors, and similarly situated entities to bolster and enhance the opportunity for achieving/exceeding ABA and ROLI plan/program objectives

• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications and Interests:

• Subject matter experts on digital rights (expertise in data privacy and protection is a plus) with 8-10 years of experience in digital technologies and/or digital democracy).

• At least five (5) years’ of program management experience, including granted funded programs (U.S. Government-funded program management a plus).

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; ability to communicate in one additional regional language (Tagalog, Vietnamese, Bahasa Indonesia, Malay, Chinese, Thai, Tamil, or others)

• Ability to work within the region, particularly either in Singapore or Taiwan

Preferred Qualifications and Interests:

• Previous work experience in one or more countries in Asia.

• Familiarity or previous experience in coalition building and counteracting digital authoritarianism.

• Ability to work effectively within a team and individually across an international environment.

• Demonstrated experience in creating, building, and maintaining professional relationships.

• High degree of organization, professionalism, integrity, trustworthiness, and flexibility.

• Ability to use discretion when working with confidential documents and information.

Location

• This position will be based in Southeast Asia or East Asia, with a preference for Singapore or Taiwan.