Objective 1 Lead, Advancing Digital Democracy

Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, D.C. metro area management consultancy with a 40-year history of delivering results for our clients. Our expertise is in the fields of digital development; monitoring and evaluation; democracy and governance; peace and stability; rule of law and accountability; education; gender and inclusion; strategic communications; and leadership and organizational development. MSI has implemented projects in 90 countries around the world such as Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Ukraine, and works domestically as well. We support clients ranging from the U.S. Government (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Departments of State and Labor, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation) to large bilateral and multilateral donors (e.g., the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program). We also work with national and local governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.

Proposal Summary:

MSI is pursuing the USAID Advancing Digital Democracy program. The purpose of this activity is to foster open, secure, and inclusive digital democracies in which data-driven technologies advance, rather than undermine, democratic values and respect for human rights. It will offer to support and strengthen country-level and global multi-stakeholder coalitions that can identify opportunities for productive engagement, leverage incentive structures, and create shared language for tackling the most pressing issues in the digital age.

The program will provide support for partner-country stakeholders to spur rights-respecting digital innovation while addressing potential adverse impacts of technology and data across the digital ecosystem. The program will operate in politically closed spaces and robust emerging economies and will engage civic and private actors while tailoring support to leverage existing opportunities and address specific needs in particular countries.

• Objective 1: Governments implement legal and regulatory frameworks related to technology data, and information that align with and fulfill their international human rights and democratic commitments.
• Objective 2: Respect for human rights and democratic values are embedded in the development and design of digital technology and data management.
• Objective 3: Civil society and citizens more effectively engage in democracy and human rights issues involving technology.
• Cross Cutting Objectives: (1) Engagement between diverse stakeholders and sectors is fostered and self-sustained; (2) Collaborative CLA feedback loops created and used to adapt the program.

Position Summary:

The Objective One Lead will spearhead the technical direction for strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks relating to technology, data and information which align with and fulfill their obligation to international human rights and democratic commitments. The Objective One Lead will support legal and regulatory implementation within line ministries, the judiciary, and/or legislative bodies by working with local actors and providing targeted capacity building.

Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of technical experts supporting activities increasing alignment of target countries' digital technologies frameworks with respective international human rights and democratic commitments.
• Provide targeted technical assistance supporting executive branch institutions including line ministries, judicial actors and legislative bodies including through support for local actors engaging in reforms of both existing and proposed laws and/or regulations.
• Collaborate with local innovation hubs, local and regional technology companies, venture capitalists and related organizations to foster increased rights-respecting technology investment.
• Work to strengthen institutional oversight mechanisms within government, including support for independent national human rights institutions or ethics committees.
• Identify and engage civil society organizations supporting government reforms in line with project goals and activities.
• Draft new or strengthen frameworks that govern data privacy and protection including those legal and regulatory frameworks improving businesses enabling environments and encouraging responsible conducts and fair competition across digital sectors.
• Support government actors to develop or strengthen safeguards preventing the misuse of technology.
• Build and strengthen links between key stakeholders by fostering dialogue and engagement on issues including but not limited to misuse of technology and regulatory reform.
• Manage the project budget, including expenditures and allocation and/or reallocation of funds as necessary for the accomplishment of project goals.
• Ensure timely delivery of program inputs, deliverables and reports.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, science technology, international relations, political science, economics, law or a related interdisciplinary field with minimum of eight (8) years of experience supporting development activities (USAID-funded activities preferred). Master's degree preferred.
• Experience managing dynamic, flexible teams, preferably on global projects.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships across technical sectors including technology, cybersecurity and digitalization, in both the public and private sectors, to improve democratic practices worldwide.
• Experience in technology law, policy and governance issues related to telecommunications, cybersecurity, digital governance/democracy, digital finance, data ecosystems, and/or emerging technologies in a public or private sector capacity.
• Experience working across government actors which may include line ministries while also identifying and collaborating with civil society actors, private sector and key stakeholders.

At MSI Tetra Tech, health and safety play a vital role in our success. MSI Tetra Tech's employees work together to comply with all applicable health & safety practices and protocols, including health orders and regulations related to COVID-19 that are mandated by local, state and federal authorities.

MSI is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We strive to develop and maintain a culture that honors the perspectives and identities of our employees, our communities and those impacted by our work.

We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.

MSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities/Veterans Employer.

Reasonable Accommodations:

MSI is dedicated to hiring an inclusive workforce. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations during the application process, please visit Tetra Tech's Disability Assistance Page. Our recruitment team looks forward to engaging in an interactive process to provide reasonable accommodations for candidates.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.