Project Associate, Support for the Women in International Security and Cyberspace (Women in Cyber) Fellowship Network

Job Title: Project Associate, Support for the Women in International Security and Cyberspace (Women in Cyber) Fellowship Network

Location: Location flexible, Pacific strongly preferrable

Start Date: anticipated 1 July 2022

Salary: regionally competitive

The Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE) is seeking a confident, self-motivated, flexible, proactive individual, who is aware of and sensitive to the necessity to enhance gender inclusivity and equality in cyber capacity building initiatives, and is motivated by closing the digital gender gap. The candidate is an experienced administrator who is able to work independently and as part of a multinational team, with strong administrative, communication and policy advice skills.

The Project Associate will be part of the GFCE Pacific Hub’s team and based in the Pacific region, and will be working proactively with the GFCE Secretariat.

Background to the GFCE

Established in 2015, the GFCE is a multi-stakeholder community of more than 150 members and partners consisting of governments, international organisations, companies, academia and project implementers from all regions of the world. Its mission is to strengthen cyber capacity and expertise globally by being a pragmatic, action-orientated and flexible platform for international collaboration.

The GFCE delivers its mission by facilitating coordination to avoid duplication of efforts and blind spots; sharing knowledge to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of projects; serving as a Clearing House to connect requests for assistance with offers of support; and identifying and filling knowledge gaps through a global cyber capacity building (CCB) research agenda.

Context of the GFCE’s role in supporting Women in Cyber fellowship

The GFCE recognises the unique regional characteristics that necessitate a tailored, respectful, demand- and community-driven approach to cyber capacity building. Therefore, the GFCE will establish a Pacific Hub alongside other regional hubs in Africa and Latin America.

As part of the GFCE portfolio in both the region, and internationally, The Women in International Security and Cyberspace Fellowship program aims to ensure equal and effective representation of women diplomats in United Nations cyber negotiations. The program seeks to develop cyber governance capacities, provide access to workshops as well as direct support to fellows for participating in UN processes and contribute to the development of an international peer-to-peer community of women policy makers engaged in UN processes and cyber diplomacy.

As part of the project supported by the Government of Australia, the GFCE supports the WiC fellows from the Pacific Island region attend UN meetings, such as the Open-Ended Working Group and the Ad-Hoc Committee, supports them with networking opportunities and supports them with virtual and ad-hoc training and up-skilling opportunities.

Role of the Project Associate and key responsibilities

Under the leadership of the Director of the GFCE Pacific Hub and in close coordination with staff responsible for WiC fellowship programs in the GFCE Secretariat the project associate will:

  • Arrange flights, transfers and accommodation of Fellows around UN sessions;
  • Provide pre-departure administration, providing Fellows with information on allowances and including the collection and management of information related to visas, COVID vaccinations and insurance requirements;
  • Provide on the ground support in New York to support fellows administratively and logistically, including ensuring Fellows have the necessary access passes to UNHQ and dealing with what would otherwise be considered ‘consular’ issues such as accessing medical care or reporting criminal activity;
  • Post-travel administration and support, include quarantine booking requirements (if required) and managing expense claims;
  • Support to donor country leads as required in designing and arranging training and events, including advice on training providers and programming of events;
  • Arrange supplementary avenues where WiC fellows can discuss further opportunities for co-operation, trust-building and developing cyber diplomacy skills, during attended UN events;
  • Arrange virtual expert sessions between fellows and existing networks supporting participation of women in various cyber fields, in particular UN discussions and cyber diplomacy processes.
 

Candidate profile: qualifications, and skills

  • First-level degree in political science, gender studies, international relations, international development, or public/business administration.
  • A minimum of 5 years of experience in project/ programme administration, with at least 2 years on projects involving gender equality/ inclusivity.
  • Experience with projects/ programmes on cyber security/ cybercrime/ cyber capacity building/ digital development preferred.
  • Proven track-record of supporting women and vulnerable communities, or sensitivity to issues of gender equality and inclusivity.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Ability to manage delivery of products in at least one Pacific language preferred.
  • A willingness and ability to travel to New York to provide on-the-ground support for Women in Cyber fellows.
 

How to apply:

Please send a cover letter of max. 1 page outlining your motivation in applying for the role, addressed to Ms. Marjo Baayen, GFCE Secretariat Director, plus your CV by 8 June 2022 (CET) to contact@thegfce.org. Interviews will be held in March. Please ensure references are included on your CV as a reference check could be part of the selection procedure