Job: Burma Internet Freedom Project Manager

Submitted by krmaher on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 10:52

Terms of Reference

NDI seeks a project manager for a three-month pilot project focusing on the 2010 Burmese elections. The project manager will assist Thailand-based pro-democracy organizations collect information about rights abuses occurring in the electoral context, as well as help them use that information to support international advocacy efforts. The ideal candidate would have demonstrable expertise in advocacy messaging and communications, rights abuse documentation, and experience in deploying Web 2.0-style publishing tools. Expertise in internet and mobile network security would be ideal. Previous experience working in a non-Western environment is highly desirable – particularly in a South East Asian or Burmese context – as is familiarity with the unique challenges of operating in closed societies.

The project manager will be based in Thailand and work directly with Burmese human rights and advocacy groups to assist in strategic information collection, transmission, and publishing; they may also advise on opportunities for improved security practices. The operating environment is characterized by a large and sometimes fractured activist community, potential personal security concerns for partners inside Burma, limited human and financial resources and infrastructure, and a short timeframe defined by the fixed election date. The position will likely include travel within Thailand; the position will not entail travel to Burma. NDI does not have a Thailand-based Burma office; the project will be supported remotely by NDI regional/international staff. NDI has relationships with external computer security experts, software development shops, and web service providers that are available to support this project as necessary.

Although this role will be a short-term intervention, it will operate within the context of NDI’s overall programmatic approach to supporting rights in Burma. Additionally, this project forms part of a larger effort to develop techniques and supporting technologies for citizen activists in repressive environments to document evidence of human rights violations and to advocate for political reform.

Objectives

Out of necessity, anticipated project outcomes will be somewhat dynamic in nature, and specific project plans will be developed by the project manager in consultation with NDI’s Burma country office, as well as NDI headquarters in Washington, DC. Objectives may evolve within the context of time, resources, and emerging political considerations. With acknowledgement of the uncertainties of the operating environment, NDI has identified the following objectives following consultation with NDI partner organizations working in Burma:

Data Collection:

  • Assist groups with data collection strategy including identifying salient issues and developing checklists and training materials

  • Facilitate a process for identifying a few key indicators that would be collected by all groups and which speak to the movements’ main messages

Data Transmission

  • Assist in developing protocols and guides for activists to engage in timely, effective and secure communication

  • Support the development, deployment or dissemination of communications technologies as appropriate

  • Work with local partners to optomize websites for better resiliance, security and optimization for low-bandwidth environments

Aggregation and Analysis

  • Assist groups with data management software, including developing procedures for exporting information for analysis

  • Assist groups in review of long-term strategy for storing documentation of human rights violations

Publishing

  • Assist groups to develop promotion and outreach strategies, including online

  • Assist groups with compelling presentation of stories and information online

  • Support tools to aggregate reports and data from human rights groups

Advocacy

  • Assist with communications strategy and key messages with key organizations, including scenario planning in advance of election day

  • Assist groups in better telling compelling stories through pictures, video and data visualization

  • Look for opportunities to aggregate advocacy information around key messages

Outputs

  • Data-collection strategy and training materials for partner organizations.
  • Communications protocols, including guidelines/materials for activists.
  • Short and long term recommendations for partner organizations data management best practices and procedures.
  • Recommendations for partners on effective data publishing strategies and tools; requirements for specific tool deployment as appropriate.
  • 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 Burma 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.

Knowledge and Skills

  • Experience in working with human rights and advocacy groups; specifically on data collection in limited resource environments, advocacy messaging, and 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; 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 a preferred departure for Thailand the first week of October, with the in-country stay likely concluding at the end of December.

To Apply

To apply, please send an email, along with your resume and a cover letter, to NDItech@ndi.org along with any questions you might have

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 at www.ndi.org.