ABOUT WITNESS

WITNESS is a global organization that helps people everywhere harness the power of video and technology to tell their stories, document the truth, and defend human rights. With growing threats to human rights and its defenders, along with the proliferation of manipulated media, how can we ensure that critical voices are heard, amplified, and protected? How do we establish the authenticity of video when the truth is constantly in question? In this volatile landscape, WITNESS deploys its global team of over 50 people, spread across five continents, to ensure that technology works for, not against, human rights.

Through our research, expertise, and cross-regional networks, WITNESS is well positioned to anticipate and intervene on the threats and opportunities new technologies present. A vanguard at the intersection of authenticity, trust, and synthetic media, WITNESS shapes the thoughtful design, development, and deployment of technologies, policies, and practices that enhance, rather than undermine, audiovisual witnessing, with a particular focus on the impact of deceptive Artificial Intelligence.

Our leadership in this space builds on collaborative global consultation and convening work that successfully anticipated the threats to the trust basis of audio-visual media over ten years ago. Through our Technology Threats & Opportunities (TTO) program, we track the impact of deepfakes and generative AI on human rights, rights defenders and the trustworthiness of video and our information landscape as a whole. We respond with critical advocacy and direct interventions such as creating and influencing technical standards to preserve media authenticity and pioneering the first global deepfakes rapid response mechanism. We amplify the urgent human rights implications of emerging technologies to tech giants, advocating that companies center human rights concerns within their development and deployment processes, as well as to policy makers. Our approach is rooted in lived experience, harm reduction, and systemic change.

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE

We are seeking an experienced Policy & Advocacy Manager to play a significant role in our efforts to shape policies and practices around audiovisual AI to uphold human rights. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the intersection between technology and human rights, be well-versed in policy and legislative processes, and possess a strong track record of effective advocacy and stakeholder engagement. This newly created position will provide strategic advocacy advice, policy and trend analysis, to advance WITNESS’ vision of systemic change. The role will support WITNESS' policy, advocacy, and technical interventions directed at technology companies, governments – particularly in the EU, UK, and US (and others, as needed) – and other external stakeholders.

This is a permanent position, based in Brussels, San Francisco, or Washington, DC. It is well-suited for an individual motivated by working on evolving topics related to AI, with the creativity and proactivity to forecast potential harms and identify areas for policy and advocacy intervention for WITNESS.

The projects this role will focus on fall into the following categories:

• Research and analysis to inform internal policymaking, public positioning, and external engagements. This research will cover a wide range of subject areas related to AI policy, from exploring how legislation can help prevent or respond to the harms of audiovisual AI, to understanding the policy nuances to technical approaches like watermarking, fingerprinting and the use of verifiable metadata. The outputs may include internal memoranda, presentations, power mappings, and external products such as policy briefs.
• Effective, globally-grounded advocacy around large-scale, current issues affecting communities and activists using video and technology for human rights. For example, this may involve interventions to ensure the preservation of critical video content that risks being removed and lost from social media platforms.
• Strategies for policy, technical, and legal interventions around emerging threats and opportunities related to audiovisual media and related technology for witnessing. This could include ensuring that human rights-centered approaches are integrated into techniques for validating the origins and manipulation of video content.

Sample projects include:

• Conduct research and/or interviews to draft a memo analyzing the policy and societal implications of a new policy or product at a tech company.
• Write a policy submission for a government body.
• Develop a strategy to help WITNESS communicate and engage with AI policymakers at companies and governments.
• Respond to a request from TTO staff or the Executive Director for targeted analysis on an emerging AI policy issue.
• Support the advocacy strategy for WITNESS' ongoing projects by identifying policy trends and relevant opportunities around AI and other emerging technologies.

You will manage strategic stakeholder engagement to allow us to influence as effectively as possible, identifying key contacts within relevant governments in the EU, UK, US, and beyond, as well as within technology companies, national and international stakeholders, NGOs, and civil society groups. You will also help build strategic coalitions to further our goals.

In this role, you will develop and implement advocacy strategies, including identifying, conducting, and commissioning new research – always ensuring that the lived experiences of the communities we serve are reflected throughout. You will coordinate the design and execution of creative and impactful policy, advocacy, and technical interventions, utilizing methods such as briefings with government officials, meetings with decision-makers, and convening discussions with technology companies.

This role reports to the Associate Director of our Technology Threats and Opportunities program and does not have direct supervision over other positions.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Research, Analysis, and Writing [45%]

• Support the development and implementation of strategic policy and advocacy plans to promote human rights-centered approaches to audiovisual AI.
• Analyze emerging trends, policies, and practices in AI and technology that impact human rights, identifying opportunities for intervention.
• Collaborate with the TTO team and external parties to produce policy briefs, reports, and recommendations on audiovisual AI and human rights, as well as on other technological changes that may impact the trustworthiness of media.
• Monitor and report on policy developments and the outcomes of advocacy activities to inform organizational strategy and stakeholder communications.
• Provide strategic analysis of the regulatory and policy environment to identify relevant upcoming opportunities.

Advocacy and Communications [45%]

• Engage with policymakers, industry leaders, civil society organizations, and academic experts to advocate for responsible AI development and deployment.
• Represent WITNESS at conferences and meetings with key stakeholders to raise awareness and influence policy decisions.
• Coordinate advocacy campaigns, including drafting position papers, op-eds, and articles to engage the public and policymakers.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with organizations and coalitions working on similar issues to amplify our impact.
• Collaborate with team members to engage in advocacy and organizing efforts with key technology platforms in various settings, including one-on-one meetings, small groups, large groups, and public forums.
• Prepare presentations for meetings and briefings with external stakeholders, particularly technology companies.
• Contribute to social media and media outreach efforts by suggesting strategies to build relationships with members of the media and proactively seeking innovative ways to communicate our core messages.

Admin [10%]

• Help track the impact of our policy and legislative interventions.
• Conduct internal financial and funder reporting as needed.
• Update and maintain Salesforce, contacts, and other relevant organizational records.
• Edit and fact-check public-facing documents.

Please note that this position description serves as a guide to the critical duties and essential functions of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities, qualifications, physical demands, or work environment conditions. Position descriptions are reviewed and updated as needed to align with the evolving needs of WITNESS, at the sole discretion of management.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Advanced degree in Law, Public Policy, International Relations, or a related field, with a focus on technology policy and human rights.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in policy analysis, advocacy, or a related field, with a proven track record of influencing policy or legislative change.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Proficiency in additional languages is a plus.
• Demonstrated success in conducting advocacy that has effectively influenced technology companies and other decision-makers in both public and private sectors.
• Deep understanding of how technology presents unique threats and opportunities across various environments, cultures, and countries.
• Expertise in strategy and policy analysis related to generative AI, audiovisual content, and technology, ideally with a focus on their impact on vulnerable and marginalized communities and human rights defenders.
• In-depth knowledge of the ethical, legal, and social implications of AI and technology on human rights.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information into clear and persuasive policy and advocacy materials.
• Proven leadership and project management skills, with the ability to manage tasks and priorities efficiently, and with a strong commitment to follow-through.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, and civil society representatives.
• Ability to work effectively within a remote team, maintaining a positive attitude under pressure and inspiring others.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Flexibility and adaptability to participate in early morning or late evening calls, accommodating different time zones (primarily CEST, EST, and PST).
• A strong commitment to social justice and alignment with WITNESS’ values and mission, demonstrating a global perspective on human rights.

LOCATION

We are a globally distributed, remote workforce. This is a full-time position based in Brussels, San Francisco, or Washington DC. The successful candidate must have the legal right to work in the location where they will be based. Visa sponsorship or relocation assistance is rare and generally offered only for highly specialized roles. The person in this position should be available for travel of up to 40% of the year, primarily within the EU, UK, and US, with occasional trips to other locations.

COMPENSATION

WITNESS does not negotiate salary on the basis of equitable compensation. Annual salaries are adjusted based on location (see note above regarding Location). Examples of salaries for this role based on location include:

• United States: 83,350 USD
• Belgium: 59,913 EUR (inclusive of 13th month)
• For other countries: finalists will receive confirmation of the salary for that location.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in this role, you must apply via this site (hosted by BambooHR). To complete your application please send your resume/CV and respond to the application questions.

Applications will be accepted through the end of day 19 September 2024. Please note that due to the anticipated volume of applications, we may not be able to respond to each applicant individually or provide feedback on individual applications. Kindly avoid sending duplicate applications via email or other channels.

WITNESS is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We encourage applications from individuals who are members of marginalized and/or underrepresented groups.

WITNESS is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all ages, races, ethnicities, national origins, religions, genders, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, as well as individuals protected by other statuses under federal, state, or local laws, including but not limited to disability, marital, domestic partnership, familial, caregiver, transgender, and military or veteran statuses.