Policy Counsel - MENA

The Organization and Role

About Access Now 

Access Now is a growing international human rights organization dedicated to defending and extending the digital rights of users at risk around the world, including issues of privacy, security, freedom of expression, and transparency. Our policy, advocacy, technology, and operations teams have staff presences in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East/North Africa (MENA), North America, and South/Southeast Asia, to provide global support to our mission. 

About this role 

The Policy Counsel is deeply involved in aspects of the organisation that pertain to Access Now’s policy initiatives in the MENA Region. The Policy Counsel works closely with its regional teams counterparts of policy analysts/counsels, campaigners, regional leaders, and others around the world to foster an international dialogue, to ensure that legislation and policies around the Region respect and extend human rights in the digital age. The Policy Counsel contributes to Access Now’s strategy to ensure that human rights in the digital age are high on the agenda of the relevant government and policy institutions around the MENA Region in the upcoming years.

The Policy Counsel works closely with the Organization’s various Advocacy teams, and is sometimes filled as Policy Analyst. This role sits within the Advocacy Arm, on the Policy and International Programs Team, and reports through the Regional Policy & Advocacy Manager - MENA. 

What you will do

• Follow regional developments on areas of importance to human rights in the digital age, which can include business & human rights, content regulation and disinformation, cybersecurity, government surveillance, accountability of online platforms and more, depending on prioritisation and planning
• Track and engage on relevant legislation and administrative proceedings, and establish and maintain relationships with regulators and lawmaker
• Craft research and evidence based on legal, policy, and legislative analysis; and develop policy recommendations and strategies on the above policy area
• Write policy briefs, blog posts, public comments, reports and other pertinent documents in support of lobbying and advocacy effort
• Conduct monitoring of relevant digital rights issues in the region, monitoring the release of academic publications and summarizing relevant findings to inform our wor
• Support and identify opportunities for collaboration with partners, policymakers, and stakeholders in a country/region to advance regional community objectives on digital rights
• Coordinate multi stakeholder coalition and public events and before regional policy and governance institution
• Represent Access Now at events, in coalitions, and on partner organizations’ advisory councils
• Advise the MENA regional policy and advocacy leader, and the Director - Policy, International Programs on regional issues and strategy
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop innovative and effective regional advocacy approaches to advance digital rights in the region, including campaigns and media relation
• Collaborate with campaigners on development of materials, and execute comprehensive, substance-driven campaigns
• Research fundraising and partnership opportunities, including innovative collaboration
• Work closely with colleagues to map strategic growth and opportunities for deepening our work in support of communities at serious risk throughout the region, and in response to regional developments that impact the global digital rights landscape

Skills, education, and mindset you will bring

• 3-5 years of experience in regional policy and lawmaking, public policy, advocacy, campaigning, or similar function, increasing levels of responsibility - with previous work that may have spanned areas such as internet freedom, internet governance, human rights, legal education, political communication, internet engineering, and/or new technologie
• Solid understanding of the functioning and internal processes of regional and state regulatory and legislative institutions and mechanism
• Ability to bridge the gap between policy and technology (technical background a plus)
• Excellent communication skills and proven ability to produce well-written policy papers and communications material
• Experience engaging and supporting diverse communities including women, LGBTQI or queer communities
• Global perspective and ability to participate in a team with people from around the world
• Strong organisational skills, and ability to meet and prioritise multiple deadlines in a complex and fluid environment
• Ability to organise and facilitate events, workshops, and small meetings
• Global perspective and ability to participate in a team with people from around the world
• Strong organisational skills, and ability to meet and prioritise multiple deadlines in a complex and fluid environment
• Ability to organise and facilitate events, workshops, and small meetings
• Global perspective and ability to participate in a team with people from around the world
• Thorough understanding of the digital debates of our time and the challenges that new technologies pose to the respect and enjoyment of human rights
• Experience working in civil society, public sector, and/or a regulatory environment preferred
• Fluency in English and Arabic are required, with knowledge of an additional, relevant language preferred
• Bachelor or master degree equivalent in law, to complement appropriate work preparation for the role

The Details

Location

This is a full-time position focused on the MENA Region, with openness to various locations across the region, or for remote placement elsewhere. The successful candidate must possess the right to work in the location in which they will be based. At this time most Access Now Team Members are working through hybrid office arrangements, combining remote at-home work with intermittent use of co-working spaces. 

Given the close working relationship with the MENA Lead based in Germany and the MENA team based in Tunis, applicants must be able to take certain meetings during the Central European Time (CET) time zone working day. Expected working hours will generally be from 9:00 to 17:00 CET, with occasional meetings outside of business hours.

Remuneration

Access Now offers competitive compensation and benefits packages that align with location and regional markets, in line with skills, preparation, and depth of experience. Some examples of anticipated, initial placement within the salary range for this role include:

• between €4,000 and €4,800 EUR gross monthly (Belgium)
• between K300,000 and K500,000 KES gross monthly (Kenya)
• between $2,600 and $3,300 USD gross monthly (Tunisia)
• between £3,400 and £4,100 GBP gross monthly (United Kingdom)

Regardless of location, all Team Members benefit from a strong global culture aligned around:

• Work-life balance...including a generous paid time-off program between 36 and 40 days annually
• Access to supplemental health care insurance policies
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• Extensive workplace flexibility
• Organizational resilience and support for all team members, including paid family leave and employee assistance programs 
  
• Connection to a diverse, global team of passionate, principled professionals
  
• Opportunities to recharge (including one month of paid refresher leave after 4 years)

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

• Résumé/CV (removing all personally identifying information such as age, gender, marital status, address, and photo)
• Thoughtful cover letter outlining your suitability for our role, with particular attention to your experience aligning to the core functions

Our hiring teams review applications submitted through our Career Openings page; email submissions are not accepted. Please note that if you are applying via a link in a 3rd party system (examples: Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Snaphunt, Zip Recruiter), be sure that you are going through the application link in BambooHR so that you are properly uploading a distinct Cover Letter and a separate CV/Resume.

In order for us to communicate with you on the status of your application, please add apps.bamboohr.com to your contacts list, and check spam or junk folders so that you do not miss updates from us.

We are a global human rights organization committed to inclusivity and equity, and seek the most talented team members who bring their true selves, with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences. We are interested in receiving applications from people who consider themselves as under-represented in their talent communities. As an equal opportunity employer, we value and encourage diversity and consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status. Our commitment applies with regard to all aspects of one’s employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination. 

Published 2022-07-16