Information Security Specialist

Counterpart Brand; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Counterpart International is seeking an Information Security Specialist for an 'Internet Freedom' project to support civil society organizations, human rights activists, and independent media in Africa. This full-time role is based in Africa and involves mentoring partners on information security practices.

You will assess organizations, develop strategies, train staff, and stay current on encryption, censorship circumvention, patch management, and secure hosting.

Qualifications

• Existing, trust-based relationships with civil society organizations, human rights groups, and independent media.
• At least 3 years' experience in information security and digital security.
• Bachelor's degree in Information or Computing sciences.
• Fluency in English (oral and written).

Responsibilities

• Conduct organizational assessment and provide guidance on information security.
• Develop country strategy and action plan with leadership.
• Ensure partners learn and apply information security practices.
• Disseminate knowledge on information security and new technologies.
• Train local counterparts in information security.
• Stay current on new technologies and trends.
• Write quarterly program activity reports.
• Attend conferences, trainings, and events.
• Develop Training of Trainers cadres within CSO networks.
• Support annual global conference and staff retreat.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Information security

Digital security

English fluency

Interpersonal skills

Training experience

Open source tools

Encryption knowledge

Data privacy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information or Computing sciences

Tools

Security tools

Encryption tools

Job description

Arlington
2345 Crystal Dr Ste 301
Arlington, VA 22202, USA

Arlington
2345 Crystal Dr Ste 301
Arlington, VA 22202, USA

Counterpart International is currently seeking Information Security Specialist for an "Internet Freedom" project focused on supporting civil society organizations, human rights activists, and independent media in Africa. This is a full time position based in Africa. The Information Security Specialist will provide dedicated support and mentoring to organizations and activists helping them address their information security needs. Applicants should have preexisting relationships or experience with trusted parties working for such organizations such that he/she could provide immediate assistance to those in need. Applicants should have a strong technical background in information technology and a firm understanding of internet security issues, including familiarity with methods of encryption for data during storage and transmission, circumvention of censorship, patch management, business continuity principles, social media security/privacy, mobile device security, and secure web hosting. This position will report to the Deputy Chief of Part (DCOP).

Primary Responsibilities:

The primary responsiblities for this position are:

• Conduct organizational assessment, provide guidance, training, mentoring, and support on information security issues and topics to local partners.
• In partnership with the Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party, develop a country strategy and action plan based upon the program’s annual work plan.
• Ensure that partners learn, internalize, use, and propagate appropriate information security practices.
• Disseminate knowledge on information security and potential uses of new technologies.
• Train local counterparts about information security.
• Stay-up-to-date on new technologies and emerging trends and issues related to information security.
• Write quarterly reports on the activities and the program implementation in the region.
• Participate in conferences, trainings, and other events as needed.
• Develop Training of Trainers cadre within CSO community.
• Attend and actively participate in the annual global conference and annual staff retreat.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Existing, trust-based relationships with a wide array of stakeholders working for civil society organizations, human rights organizations, and independent media.
• At least 3 years' experience in information security, digital security principles, and safe computing practices.
• Bachelor's degree in Information or Computing sciences.
• Fluency in oral and written English.
• Solid understanding of internet's building blocks (DNS, SSL, IP, etc.).
• Strong interpersonal skills as well as experience developing solid professional relationships.
• Broad training experience.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of time to support local partners in approved countries.
• Familiar with both commercial and open source digital security tools.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple activities.

Preferred:

• Fluency in Portuguese, French and other regional languages.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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