Advisor - Information Threats

Location: Flexible within Europe; located within 2 hours of CET  

Duration: 12 months, subject to renewal

Commitment: Part-time, approximately 10 days / month, with potential to move into a full-time role in future

Starting date: Immediately

Background

HD’s Digital Conflict Directorate is at the forefront of efforts to mitigate the negative impact of technologies on international peace and security. We are seeking an Advisor to help scale this work, with a focus on supporting our Information Threats team.

Within the Directorate, the Information Threats team has pioneered discreet, locally grounded dialogue with diverse local actors, conflict parties, and social media platforms to address the ways that dynamics in the online information environment can undermine peace processes and fuel conflict, including mis/disinformation, online influence operations, and incitement to violence. This includes, for example, negotiating online restraint through facilitating innovative social media codes of conduct, leading creative convenings with novel actors shaping today’s information environment such as influencers, media actors, and private sector leaders, and supporting diplomats and negotiators to better understand and address the destabilizing effects of disinformation.

As the Information Threats team looks to expand and scale up its work, it seeks an Advisor who can serve as a core contributing member of the team, and support on conceptualizing, implementing, and leading tracks of work in partnership with internal colleagues and external stakeholders.

Role and Scope of Work

The Advisor will lead and implement operational work addressing the impacts of information threats in fragile and conflict settings, using mediation and discreet, outcome-focused diplomacy. Working as a key member of the Information Threats team, the Advisor will be responsible for leading tracks of work, often focused on a specific country context, that address the harmful effects posed by social media, generative AI, and other technologies shaping the information environment. This may include, for example, facilitating dialogues and convenings, identifying creative entry points for addressing digital threats to peace and stability, and engaging with conflict actors to discuss their behaviour in the digital realm. The Advisor will also provide input on the team’s strategic direction and priorities, support fundraising initiatives and donor briefings, and help build and sustain diplomatic networks.

Responsibilities and expected outcomes:

  • Conceptualize, plan, and implement initiatives on information threats in conflict: Lead tracks of work in close collaboration with country teams and external stakeholders.
  • Facilitate dialogues, meetings, and other convenings on information threats in conflict with key interlocutors:  Organize and effectively lead sensitive discussions and convenings, including by advising on strategy, participants, agenda, and structure.
  • Represent HD in global fora: Enhance HD’s visibility and credibility as a neutral, impartial and trusted mediator on digital risks in international fora and strategic engagements.
  • Identify creative entry points for new initiatives: Advise on strategic opportunities to expand the team’s impact and address emerging risks associated with the information environment.
  • Build and sustain diplomatic networks: Cultivate relationships with government officials, multilateral institutions, civil society and private sector actors in support of digital peacebuilding initiatives.
  • Support the programme’s donor engagement and fundraising efforts: Contribute to donor engagement and fundraising by briefing stakeholders and providing input on proposals and reports as necessary.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Education

  • Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in International Relations, Political Science, Security Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, or a related discipline is required.

Experience

  • 7-10 years of experience, with a demonstrated focus on the intersection of digital technology and international peace and security.
  • Deep expertise in how information threats – such as mis/disinformation, online influence operations, and incitement to violence – affect fragile and conflict-affected settings.
  • Proven track record leading engagements related to the risks and impacts associated with digital technologies.
  • Background in conflict mediation, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, or diplomacy.

Competencies and Skills

  • Excellent communication skills, including in constructively translating insights between actors from diverse backgrounds.
  • Exceptional diplomatic, negotiation, and mediation skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills: kindness, humility, and good humour required.
  • Strategic thinker, capable of thinking creatively about emerging risks and identifying innovative approaches.
  • High level of independence, with the ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively.
  • Outstanding judgment.
  • Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in other languages, particularly Arabic, will be a significant asset.

This is a part-time consultant role that is expected to average 10 days per month, with the possibility of moving into a full-time role in the future. It requires significant travel.

If you are interested in this position and meet the above criteria, please send your CV together with an expression of interest (maximum 750 words) outlining your relevant experience. Please also include your proposed financial offer.

All materials should be submitted in a single PDF file to hrgeneva@hdcentre.org by 24 August.

Please indicate “Advisor – Information Threats” in the subject line of your e-mail.

HD promotes equal opportunities in employment.

For more information, please visit: www.hdcentre.org.