Program Associate – MENA

The Organization and Role

About Access Now

Access Now defends and extends the digital rights of people and communities at risk. As a grassroots-to-global organization, we partner with local actors to bring a human rights agenda to the use, development, and governance of digital technologies, and to intervene where technologies adversely impact our human rights. By combining direct technical support, strategic advocacy, grassroots grantmaking, and convenings such as RightsCon, we fight for human rights in the digital age.

About this role

The Program Associate aids the MENA Policy and Advocacy Director and regional policy team in strategy setting and the day-to-day execution of our regional plan. The Program Associate helps to conceptualize and operationalise policy programmes in support of regional priorities, assists in coordination across organizational arms for the MENA policy and advocacy team, and assists with stakeholder communications and engagement.

The Program Associate reports through the MENA Advocacy and Policy Director and supports the MENA policy staff and collaborates with members of other teams as necessary.

What you will do

Regional programme coordination, strategy, and team assistance

• Assist members of the MENA policy and advocacy team in day-to-day programmatic operations (including but not limited to internal team coordination, external partner communications, and scheduling) working closely with MENA Advocacy and Policy Director.
• Build outreach and engagement strategies to groups and stakeholders identified by the MENA Advocacy and Policy Director and other regional staff in support of our regional plan.
• Support management and development of our regional policy plan and supporting strategies with the MENA Advocacy and Policy Director.
• Assist with evaluation and regular reporting on our regional policy plan and metrics to other arms of the organization (including our Development team) and external partners as needed.
• Assist the MENA Policy and Advocacy Director with the tracking and documentation of work plans, tasks, partner commitments, stakeholder requests coming to the regional policy team and aid the team in follow up, management of responsibilities.
• Ensure the MENA Director and regional policy team’s preparedness for meetings and other commitments, and assist in supporting next steps, anticipating and tracking tasks against achievable timelines.
• Manage all infrastructural, documentation and administrative matters for the team, and have a proactive approach to anticipating future requirements.
• Work closely with the MENA Advocacy and Policy Director to drive, support and coordinate matters pertaining to the MENA Coalition to Combat Digital Surveillance.

Regional stakeholder engagement and outreach support

• Manage outreach and communications to key policy stakeholders as tasked by the MENA Advocacy and Policy Director and act as the first point of contact for scheduling and logistical needs for the director and regional policy team.
• Manage reactive and proactive requests for regional policy staff regarding research assistance, briefings, and other engagements with policy-makers – including offices of legislators, government agencies, and regulators – in key priority countries in the region.
• Conduct strategic research to identify new stakeholders whom our regional team should engage with in support of our annual plans and programmes.
• Set up and maintain resources for stakeholder relationship management for our regional programme work, including maintaining and updating contact lists.
• Help our civil society allies, partners, and other stakeholders in connecting on requests for specific assistance with other arms of the organization (Helpline, Grants, RightsCon, and others) as needed and help in oversight and management of such assistance.

Workflow, Communications, and Documentation support

• Help document, compile, update, and disseminate our policy reports, external submissions, policy talking point memos, and other regional policy team authored resources to internal and external audiences.
• Drive operational efficiency by enabling channels for increased coordination and information flow with different arms / teams within the organization, including in particular Operations and SecOps (logistical, administrative support and compliance), Grants (regional team support on grantee references and communications) and the Digital Security Helpline.
• Assist the MENA Advocacy and Policy Director, and regional staff, with internal communications.
• As needed, help draft blogs, reports, public statements, communications to partners and policy stakeholders, FAQs, press updates, and other materials in support of regional work.

Skills, education, and mindset you will bring

• Deep understanding of key issues and challenges facing the internet, and its users, in the MENA region.
• Excellent project management skills, including demonstrated proficiency in project management, utilizing tools such as Notion, Trello, G Suite, showcasing a commitment to organized and efficient workflows.
• Ability to navigate and excel in a dynamic work environment, including agile multi-tasking to adeptly manage multiple work streams with flexibility and adaptability.
• Ability to drive processes and timelines to meet deadlines.
• Unwavering attention to detail and high levels of organization, ensuring precision and thoroughness in all tasks.
• Proven capability to drive process improvements, showcasing a proactive approach to refining and optimizing workflows.
• A high degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Substantial experience with cross-border work, ideally in an international setting, showcasing a nuanced understanding of cultural dynamics.
• Excellent communication abilities, able to liaise with many people from various backgrounds.
• Proficient in working across different time zones, including asynchronous communications, highlighting effective collaboration and communication skills in a globally dispersed environment.
• Experience working with policymakers in the public and private sectors in the region is a plus.
• Full proficiency in Arabic and English languages.

The Details

Location

This is a full-time position, with preference for our current office locations. 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 offices and/or co-working spaces.

Remuneration

Access Now offers competitive compensation and benefits packages that align competitively with locations and regions around the world. Location-specific examples of initial placement within the salary range for this role include:

• €3000 EUR gross monthly

Benefits for this specific role are tied to the location, and will vary. 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 2024-10-28