Program Consultant: Eurasia Internet Freedom Project Manager
NDI seeks a Russian-speaking project manager for a three-month pilot project focusing on political organizing and constituent relations management systems (CRM). The project manager will assist pro-democracy associations in the effective use of a secure online organizing system. The ideal candidate would have demonstrable expertise in running political campaigns, training field organizers, political messaging, using CRM systems, and secure communications. Previous experience working in post-Soviet countries is ideal; fluency in Russian is required.
The project manager will be based in NDI’s office in Vilnius, Lithuania and will work directly with regional political and civic organizations. The manager will train and facilitate their work in the collection, organization, and use of information in a secure online data management system. As the software platform is under development, the individual will also play a key role in understanding the partners’ user experience, documenting bugs, and communicating needed improvements to the DC-based team.The partners are experienced organizers with solid technology skills and have been the driving force between crafting the requirements for this system.
The position may include travel within the area. Familiarity with political dynamics in the region is required.
Although this role will be a short-term intervention, it will operate within the context of NDI’s overall programmatic approach to supporting democratic institutions and practices. Additionally, this project forms part of a larger effort to develop techniques and supporting technologies for citizen organizers and activists to organize and advocate for political reform.
Required Skills
Use of Online Organizing Systems
- Work with groups on the concepts behind and effective use of hierarchical online organizing systems
- Assist groups with data collection strategy including demographic information, interests, and past history with the group
- Train in basic targeting
- Assist with effective citizen contact tactics such as phone banks and canvassing
Messaging and Communication Strategies
- Assist with communications strategy and message development, including scenario planning in advance of election day
- Facilitate joint messages across organizations
- Assist groups to develop messaging strategies, including online
- Assist groups with the use of online communication systems such as email and SMS distribution lists
Documenting Human Rights Abuses
- Support partners in aggregation of reports and data on rights abuses
Digital Safety
- Personally practice secure communications and information storage habits
- Train and support users in digital security
- Assist in developing protocols and guides for participants to engage in timely, effective and secure communication
Expected Deliverables
- Training materials on use of data management system
- Information collection strategy for partner organizations
- Messaging and communications strategy for partner organizations
- Organizing system use strategy for partners
- Holistic digital security plan for partners.
- Planning and coordination of training sessions with partners and NDI staff as appropriate.
- Planning and coordination of software development with NDI and external vendors as appropriate.
- Provision of weekly progress reports on all activity to the NDI’s director in Vilnius and NDI headquarters teams.
- Comprehensive administrative records, particularly with regards to budget and accounting.
- Concluding project report, including observations, examples of successful and unsuccessful approaches, and final recommendations.
Experience Required
- Experience in working with field organizing in political or advocacy campaigns
- Experience in strategic communications and messaging in limited resource environments including traditional and new media tools, including video, maps, and data visualization.
- Experience in crisis communications, demonstrable ability to develop top-level messaging and contingency planning, responsiveness and agility in changing and limited information environments.
- Intermediate technical familiarity and comfort with basics of mobile and internet communications and architecture. Software development, database, or network administration skills a significant advantage.
- Ability to develop recommendation documents based on expressed stakeholders needs, as well as adapting existing practices to incorporate standards and processes that are acknowledged as best practices by NDI.
- Proven ability to work in a complex and evolving multi-stakeholder environment, ability to develop and manage trust-based relationships.
- Knowledge of democracy development framework in which NDI operates, and understanding of the constraints of working in a developing-world environment.
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills in both Russian and English; ability to work effectively with non-native English speakers.
Timelines
The time horizon for this phase of the project is 2-4 months in length. Project development and implementation would begin immediately upon finalization of contract, with preferred start date in the region before the end of January.
To Apply
To apply, please send an email, along with your resume and a cover letter, to www.ndi.org
About NDI
NDI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization that has supported democratic institutions and practices in every region of the world for more than two decades. Since its founding in 1983, NDI and its local partners have worked to establish and strengthen political and civic organizations, safeguard elections, and promote citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. Learn more atwww.ndi.org.
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