ICANN|ARCHIVES

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers

Department: Policy Development Support

Manager's title: VP Policy Development Support

Position purpose:

The key purpose of this role is to:

• support the GNSO Council in the development and updating of technical policies related to generic top-level domains, and to
• facilitate co-ordination of policy processes between all of ICANN's Supporting Organisations and Advisory Committees.

Key result areas and KPI's performed:

• Identify the Key Result Areas (KRAs) (the main responsibilities) of the position.
• A weighting out of 100% has also be given to indicate how much of an importance the KRA has in the position.

These KRAs will form the base of the Performance Plan that is to be developed for the incumbent of the position. Each element of the performance plan will have explicitly defined goals attached in terms of time, quality and delivery outcomes.

The Key Result Area for this position is:

• Support the GNSO policy development processes (50%)
• Facilitate coordination of policy processes between supporting organisations and advisory committees (30%)
• Co-ordination with other policy areas, operations and implementation (20%)

Responsibilities:
(These responsibilities should be read in conjunction with the ICANN bylaws)

1. Tasks in relation to the GNSO:
   • Liaise with the Chair and members of the GNSO Council to understand current issues of importance to the Council and provide guidance on all steps and timelines of the policy development processes
   • Under the direction and responsibility of the GNSO Council, assist the Council and eventual Task Forces and/or Sub-committees in their policy development responsibilities including the drafting of reports, and support related activities
   • Attend meetings of the GNSO Council, Task Forces and/or Sub-committees (mostly by teleconference and often outside office hours)
   • Provide other assistance to the chair of the GNSO Council as may be needed to ensure the smooth running of the policy process
2. Policy co-ordination tasks within the ICANN structure
   • Liaise with the Chairs and relevant members of the supporting organisations and advisory committees to understand current issues of importance to the ICANN community
   • Assist in the identification of cross-relations and needs for co-ordination within the overall ICANN structure of Supporting Organisations and Advisory Committees for policy or other issues under consideration in the specific areas
   • Maintain relationships with relevant stakeholders
   • Assist the Supporting Organisations and Advisory Committees as and where requested, and where further ICANN staff support is judged desirable
3. Co-ordination tasks between ICANN Departments
   • Co-ordinate with relevant ICANN staff, aspects of emerging policies as they relate to other ICANN policies, aspects related to implementation (such as feasibility, resource implications, appropriate feed-back mechanisms), aspects related to legal interpretations of ICANN bylaws
   • Assist relevant ICANN staff with the implementation of policy
   • Identify relevant issues that are likely to come before the ICANN Board and prepare briefings for the ICANN Board
   • Brief ICANN management on relevant matters
4. Reporting
   • On all of the above, report to and coordinate with VP Policy Development Support

Skills, experience, knowledge and qualifications:

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in a multi-cultural/language environment
• Excellent English language writing skills
• Strong computer literacy
• Strong internet literacy
• Excellent listening and analytical skills
• Excellent research and analysis skills
• Excellent negotiating skills
• Well developed ability to synthesise a number of diverse view points
• Project management skills
• Multiple language skills an advantage

Personal attributes

• Ability to support diverse stakeholders to move to a common framework and outcome
• Ability to co-operate and work as part of a team
• Tolerance for stress
• Ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks in processes under pressure
• Ability to retain focus on priority tasks
• Adaptability/flexibility
• Ability to review practices to find more efficient and effective ways to work
• Comfort in dealing with multiple cultures and time zones that are part of an international organisation
• A high level of interest and /or experience in the IT sector

Experience/Knowledge

• At least five years experience in developing policy in an environment with conflicting stakeholder views
• Experience in liaising with senior managers in large corporations and with senior government officials
• Experience in dealing with contracts and contract negotiations an advantage
• Experience in working with IT or technology sectors/communities desirable
• Knowledge of the detailed working of the Internet, including basic knowledge of the technical functioning as well as an understanding of the roles of different organisations in the Internet DNS hierarchy

Qualifications

• A bachelors degree or equivalent experience
• Exposure to economic and legal disciplines and considerations an advantage

Key contacts:

Internal

• VP Policy Development Support
• Policy Development Support staff
• Manager Registry Relations
• Manager Registrar Relations
• General Counsel’s Office
• Other policy support officers

External

• Chairs and members of the Supporting Organisations and Advisory Committees
• Members of constituent and stakeholder groups of ICANN

Location/Travel:

ICANN currently has offices in Marina del Rey, California, and Brussels, Belgium. Candidates are required to be available to work in an ICANN location but the decision on which will be taken in consultation with the successful candidate.

The incumbent of this position is expected to attend relevant meetings of the supporting organisations and advisory committees (audio-conferences with participation from all over the world at times convenient to its participants).

The incumbent is also expected to travel to ICANN meetings (currently 3 times a year at different locations around the world), and other relevant meetings around the globe.