Opportunities

The mission of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) is to prevent terrorists and violent extremists from exploiting digital platforms. The Forum was set up by its four founding member companies—Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter and YouTube — and focuses on knowledge sharing, technical collaboration and shared research across its 19 member platforms and wider stakeholder community.

In 2019 GIFCT was established as an independent, non-governmental organization led by an Executive Director and supported by a dedicated technology, counterterrorism and operations team. GIFCT now seeks an Executive Director to continue the upward momentum of the organization, focusing on GIFCT’s core mission, global membership expansion and multi-stakeholder engagement.

The ideal candidate will be expert in leading and managing non-profit, non-governmental or governmental organizations and have the ability to align divergent interests and perspectives from multiple stakeholders. Additional experience of working with or as part of the tech sector is preferred along with an understanding of how terrorists and violent extremists may exploit digital platforms. The candidate should also have experience or understanding of working for an Executive Board or Advisory Council.

The Executive Director will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of GIFCT, which involves facilitating cross-functional alignment with a wide range of stakeholders. The Executive Director will also be responsible for:

• Setting out GIFCT’s vision in a clear strategic plan and managing all aspects of its delivery and operational work
• Serving as the GIFCT representative on the Operating Board alongside the founding companies and Chair of the Independent Advisory Committee
• Fostering collaboration among existing industry members, growing and delivering programs in support of GIFCT’s mission Strategically identifying and recruiting new industry members and expanding fundraising
• Soliciting and incorporating input and feedback from civil society and government advisors, including the GIFCT Independent Advisory Committee
• Engaging academics, foundations and philanthropic organizations to position GIFCT as a global thought leader

Qualifications

• 10+ years in senior leadership roles within national security, technology, non-profit, or start up organizations
• A stellar leadership track record, ideally in the tech industry, government, or civil society and in a position with external stakeholder engagement
• Significant knowledge of or operational experience with technology policy issues and how they interact with human rights standards, counterterrorism, countering violent extremism and cyber security
• Proven track record in operations, communications, and complex stakeholder management
• Experience engaging with boards of directors, senior leaders of technology companies, government officials, civil society and academia in national and international fora
• Bachelors’ degree or equivalent is required, post graduate study welcomed

Additional Qualifications

• Understand the challenges that technology companies of all sizes have in addressing terrorists’ and violent extremists’ exploitation of member platforms
• Capable of integrating divergent needs into a coherent and sustainable organizational program
• Recognize and be able to balance the importance of reducing the harm associated with content and behavior on technology platforms with society’s expectations for privacy, and principles of free expression and other fundamental rights.

If you’re interested in applying, please follow this application link or contact [email protected] with questions.

GIFCT is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

About GIFCT

GIFCT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and tech-led initiative with 22 member tech companies offering unique settings for diverse stakeholders to identify and solve the most complex global challenges at the intersection of terrorism and technology.

• Mission: To prevent terrorists and violent extremists from exploiting digital platforms.
• Vision: A world in which the technology sector marshals its collective creativity and capacity to render terrorists and violent extremists ineffective online.
• Values: In every aspect of our work, we aim to be transparent, inclusive, and respectful of the fundamental and universal human rights that terrorists and violent extremists seek to undermine.

Scope of Work

GIFCT is a non-profit with limited staff and resources that develops technical solutions for tech companies large and small, while further collaborating with counter-terrorism experts, and stakeholders from government, civil society, and academia. As such, we have the standard IT and cybersecurity needs of any small non-profit with the added complexity of systems that connect a large array of stakeholders as well as technical products that are designed to enable information exchange for tech companies at various sizes. To protect our diverse stakeholders and enhance our collective capacity, GIFCT must mature its cybersecurity policies and posture.

The cybersecurity consultant will excel in helping small organizations mature their cybersecurity practices and policies. They will have a proven ability to assess the current posture of an organization and provide advice to develop a cybersecurity strategy encompassing key cybersecurity policies for the organization including risk-informed, repeatable response and recovery plans.

They will drive the evolution of GIFCT’s cybersecurity through:

• Cybersecurity assessment: Work with GIFCT’s team and suppliers to assess GIFCT’s current practices and policies against the NIST core framework, including identifying any gaps or vulnerabilities.
• Recommend Areas for Improvement: Work with GIFCT’s Director of Technology to develop recommendations for improvement in GIFCT’s cybersecurity posture.
• Policy Development: Advise GIFCT’s team on how they can best develop policies to enhance cybersecurity and operational agility. Including response and recovery plans.

Deliverables

• Detailed assessment report, including findings and recommendations for improvement
• Presentation of findings and recommendations to our leadership team

Timeline

Estimated completion 6-12 weeks from award of contract

Budget

The organization has allocated a budget of $20,000 – 30,000 USD, including all expenses and fees, to be commensurate with experience and skill level

Proposal Submission

Interested consultants should submit a proposal that includes the following:

• Company or individual profile, including experience with similar projects
• Description of approach to conducting the cybersecurity assessment and providing recommendations for improvement
• Proposed timeline and work plan
• Budget breakdown, including fees and expenses
• Reference from previous clients who have received similar services

Proposals should be submitted no later than 15 June 2023 to [email protected]

Are you motivated by the mission of preventing terrorists and violent extremists from exploiting digital platforms?

The Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) is seeking a part-time academic year intern to support its technological activities. The successful candidate will be a self-starter, diligent worker, strong team player, and possess a demonstrated interest in the intersection of technology and terrorism/violent extremism.

Position Details:

• Job Type: Part-Time (between 15 to 30 hours per week)
• Compensation: $20-30/hr
• Location: Flexible/Remote. Must be eligible to work in the United States.
• Duration: Fall through Spring Semester – exact dates flexible

Responsibilities:

• Supporting development of components and libraries for GIFCT products
• Supporting with documentation and technical writing for GIFCT products
• Conducting independent research projects on topics such as: trust & safety, emerging technologies and terrorist exploitation of technologies;
• Data cleaning labeling and analysis
• Participating in ad hoc projects; and
• Attending relevant meetings and events;

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated interest in the intersection of terrorism/violent extremism and technology
• Prior coursework in one of the following fields: computer science, data science, data analysis, web development, database administration, technical writing

How to Apply:

To be considered for this position, please submit the following materials to [email protected] by Sunday, August 13th, 2023 in one PDF packet:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• A brief description of a time you have had to make a technical decision and how you approached the choice (2 pages maximum)
• Contact information for one academic reference

Due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we are only able to respond to applicants who are selected for an interview. Thank you for your interest in GIFCT.

About GIFCT:

GIFCT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and tech-led initiative with 22 member tech companies offering unique settings for diverse stakeholders to identify and solve the most complex global challenges at the intersection of terrorism and technology.

• Mission: To prevent terrorists and violent extremists from exploiting digital platforms.
• Vision: A world in which the technology sector marshals its collective creativity and capacity to render terrorists and violent extremists ineffective online.
• Values: In every aspect of our work, we aim to be transparent, inclusive, and respectful of the fundamental and universal human rights that terrorists and violent extremists seek to undermine.