Cyber Program Manager

JOB TITLE: Cyber Program Manager

REPORTS TO: Country Director

LOCATION: Skopje, North Macedonia

DATE: Immediately

LEVEL OF EFFORT: Full-Time Employee (40 hours/week)

ORGANIZATION & VALUES

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Critical Infrastructure Digitalization and Resilience (CIDR) program is a five-year regional program managed by DAI for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Bureau for Europe and Eurasia. CIDR assists partner governments and in-country organizations to work with key stakeholders and experts to assess cybersecurity gaps and priorities, make recommendations, and map courses of action to improve the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure and key institutions.

CIDR operates in the Western Balkans, Black Sea Region, and South Caucasus, where countries in recent years have come under more diverse and complex cyberattacks. CIDR is currently providing assistance in Albania, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia, and Serbia. This includes assistance in workforce development, cybersecurity assessment, cybersecurity governance, and information sharing of cyberattacks, threats, and solutions.

Critical Infrastructure Digitalization and Resilience (CIDR) Program in North Macedonia Building off USAID’s previous critical infrastructure cybersecurity investments, the CIDR North Macedonia Program was established in 2021 in order to support the Government of North Macedonia and critical infrastructure entities to strengthen their cybersecurity resilience.

The program is aimed to accelerate the cybersecurity workforce development, to empower organizations to identify and address cybersecurity threats, to strengthen cybersecurity governance and to facilitate the sharing of threat information. CIDR North Macedonia is providing technical, legal and regulatory support to the Government of North Macedonia, by working with Critical Infrastructure regulators and operators from the public and private sector, as well as academic institutions in order to strengthen the national cyber security capacities and to promote cyber security workforce development.

Since the establishment of the Program, CIDR further extended support to the Government of North Macedonia in several aspects, such as the process of digital transformation, establishing a Cyber Pathways for Women Program, and direct support for government institutions to prevent cyber-attacks.

POSITION OVERVIEW

CIDR/MKD seeks a Cybersecurity Program Manager to facilitate the implementation of CIDR/MKD and support the Country Director to establish and implement other related activities in North Macedonia. The Cybersecurity Program Manager will focus primarily on the CIDR activities in North Macedonia working closely with stakeholders in North Macedonia, and regionally as requested.

The Cybersecurity Program Manager will provide strategic guidance to CIDR activities in North Macedonia including activity design, program management, implementation, and relationship-building with stakeholders. He/she will lead and support the ongoing implementation of several CIDR activities in North Macedonia, as well as provide assistance to the Country Director in bringing in new opportunities and establishing new related activities.

The position requires a strong background in cybersecurity policy, cybersecurity capacity building, public administration, and execution of donor-funded activities. Knowledge and experience in cybersecurity and related to ICT are mandatory for applicants for this position. This position also requires excellent communication and coordination skills, experience in working with stakeholders of all levels of seniority and professional backgrounds, and an ability to ensure coherence and consistency of work in a challenging environment. The Cybersecurity Program Manager will work closely with other members of the team throughout the region and the United States.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees the implementation of CIDR MKD activities, under the guidance of the Country Director.
• Works with the Country Director to establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including, but not limited to, government, private sector, academia, civil society, international donors, and other actors across cybersecurity organizations.
• Works with program staff and partners to design and implement program activities in line with CIDR/MKD program objectives.
• Manages and advises staff and consultants, where applicable.
• Facilitates and leads meetings with key critical infrastructure stakeholders.
• Facilitates and lead technical activities together with partners or other staff, as needed, for instance stakeholder mapping, identification of entry points, facilitation of legislation drafting, support to establish cybersecurity emergency response teams (or equivalent), and/or coordinating key national cybersecurity stakeholders.
• Contributes to the development and revision of program reports, workplans, monitoring and evaluation plans, and communications materials.
• Works individually or with partners to stay updated on cybersecurity, including existing and emerging cybersecurity campaigns or tools being used to combat threats.
• Represents CIDR and contributes to regional and international conferences related to cybersecurity.
• Supports the North Macedonia CIDR Country Director in all other tasks asked on his/her behalf.
• Supports the CIDR Program staff in tasks related to regional activities.
• Any other tasks assigned by supervisor.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Travel to other countries may be required, as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in information technology, engineering, cybersecurity, or related field.
• Experience in implementing donor-funded programs.
• Experience with work plan development and implementing cybersecurity activities.
• Good knowledge of key cybersecurity and critical information infrastructure protection notions and policies within the European Union and familiarity with the international policies.
• Experience working effectively with counterparts at various levels of government, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and other key stakeholders.
• Established networks and relationships with governmental and/or private sector entities.
• Experience operating programs in a dynamic working environment with multiple partners and teams.
• Excellent communications skills (written and spoken) in English and local languages including public speaking.
• Ability to present and write concisely and accurately when describing complex issues.
• Ability to work with people of various cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience in the field of cybersecurity, information security, or a related field.
• Proven expertise in policy development and cybersecurity risk management.
• Ability to respond effectively to time sensitive demands and inquiries.
• Excellent organizational skills with a willingness to take initiative and be proactive.

Preferred

• Cybersecurity related certifications or training.
• Proven experience managing a small team.
• Experience working on USAID projects.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS

• The Cyber Program Manager reports to the Country Director.
• The Cyber Program Manager will be responsible for direct oversight of local and international technical consultants and will potentially oversee other local staff, when needed.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.