Senior Policy Counsel for Surveillance and Security

New American Foundation - Open Technology Institute
Published
December 12, 2013
Location
Washington, DC
Category
Job Type

Description

The New America Foundation's Open Technology Institute (OTI) seeks a dynamic mid-level lawyer ready to help design and lead innovative policy initiatives to defend Internet freedom and security, with a focus on issues of electronic surveillance and censorship, cybersecurity, and data privacy.  New America Foundation is a s a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institute that invests in new thinkers and new ideas to address the next generation of challenges facing the United States.   OTI’s policy team serves that goal by working in the public interest to formulate and promote policy and regulatory reforms to support open communications networks, platforms and technologies that help foster strong communities. The new senior policy counsel will lead the development of OTI’s growing role in the debate on surveillance and security issues at a critical time, when the latest revelations about the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs have revealed a wide range of new policy threats to and opportunities for the open Internet, both in the US and internationally. The new senior policy counsel will r report to OTI's policy director and  contribute to management  of a team of policy analysts and associates in OTI’s Washington, DC office.

Responsibilities

• Working with the OTI policy director to oversee legal and policy research, writing, and advocacy;
• Assisting the policy director in establishing priorities and projects, developing advocacy and communication strategies, grant/development activities, and management of  policy staff;
• Conducting in-depth legal, policy and legislative analysis and developing policy recommendations;
• Researching and writing policy papers, blog posts, press releases, testimony, agency comments, and legal briefs and memoranda;
• Leading advocacy efforts to represent OTI’s views before policymakers, press, and the public, including providing expert policy assistance to Congress and government agencies;
• Developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with other advocates, academics, technologists, companies and communities, and fostering collaborations with other projects and programs of the New America Foundation;
• Working with OTI’s Technology Team and Field Team to develop innovative strategies at the intersection of policy, technology development, and community engagement; and
• Representing OTI in the media and at policy events, roundtables, and conferences.

Qualifications

This position is designed for a mid-level lawyer with substantial experience in Internet policy who is ready to move into a leadership role. An ideal candidate would have:

• A law degree and 3-7 years of experience in public policy related to communications technology and online rights and liberties;
• Expert knowledge and extensive experience with national security and privacy laws relating to electronic surveillance, wiretapping, and Internet privacy, especially FISA, ECPA, and the Fourth Amendment, along with cybersecurity-related law and policy;
• Familiarity with relevant federal and international policy institutions, including experience working in or with Congress or federal agencies;
• Enthusiastic willingness to work on a wide and ever-changing range of Internet policy issues such as cybersecurity, technology sanctions and export controls, encryption policy, international human rights and Internet governance, broadband policy and net neutrality, and the privacy implications of big data;
• Experience working with technologists and a basic but solid technical understanding of modern communications networks and technologies;
• Extensive experience communicating and advocating on policy issues to policymakers, press, and the public;
• Well-developed pre-existing relationships with key stakeholders, including policymakers, the press, advocacy organizations, foundations, technologists and technology companies, including experience developing collaborations and partnerships with diverse stakeholders and organizations;
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills and demonstrated analytical and problem solving skills, including experience analyzing legislation;
• The ability to multitask and maintain momentum and leadership in a fast-moving environment, in a rapidly changing field, at a fast-growing organization;
• Dedication to open technology, open networks, and open source, and dedication to maximizing the benefits of technology for poor, rural, and other underserved constituencies;
• Documented fundraising expertise.

Application Process

Submit resume, cover letter, three references, and at least one but ideally two writing samples (one for a legal audience and one for a non-legal audience) (each no longer than 15 pages).  Salary is commensurate with experience and is competitive with public interest and government pay scales. Excellent benefits package includes health care and dental coverage, a retirement plan, paid vacation, sick days and parental leave. The New America Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

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