The 5Rights Foundation is looking for a tech accountability professional to join our small and high impact team in fighting for a digital world that supports children and young people to flourish.
At 5Rights, we work with policy-makers, regulators, technologists, and NGOs all over the world to advocate for one simple principle: the enormous potential of digital technology will only be realised when it is designed with children and young people in mind.
Having helped craft and pass policy and legislation across 5 continents, we are looking to expand our tech accountability programme by hiring an expert to lead our work supporting the development of innovative technical standards and frameworks, as well as promoting compliance and regulatory enforcement.
If you’re passionate about emerging tech and its regulation for good; if you’re enthusiastic about both getting into the detail and contributing to one of the most lively policy debates of our time; and if you’re committed to working on behalf of the one billion children who are online, we’d love to hear from you.
Experience in research, evidence gathering, litigation or technical standards in the field of tech policy is required, preferably with a child or human rights lens.
We are offering remote working (with part-time co-working space access in London or Brussels) with employee contracts in the UK or Belgium; salary ranges from £43,600-£48,300 (for UK) or EUR 61,500-68,100 (for Belgium) depending on experience.
5Rights Foundation exists to ensure a digital world that will serve children and young people today and for future generations.
We are a small team of senior professionals and experts delivering change in how the digital world works. We have shifted the narrative and the agenda through provocative comms campaigns (e.g. Twisted Toys), pioneering research (e.g. Pathways) and award-winning tools (e.g. Child Online Safety Toolkit). We continue to drive real-life change thanks to an outstanding track-record of delivering legislation (e.g. Californian Age Appropriate Design Code), policy and regulatory frameworks (e.g. UNCRC General comment No. 25), and industry standards (e.g. IEEE 2089).
Reporting to the Executive Director, you will:
Work on the development of technical frameworks, guidelines, standards, certification or audit processes relevant for implementing regulation for children’s rights in the digital environment at international, EU and UK levels. This includes representing 5Rights in technical meetings and working groups, such as at the IEEE and CEN-CENELEC.
Work to promote and support the uptake of these standards by the tech industry, including by working with industry associations, chambers of commerce and tech companies directly.
Lead our work to gather technical evidence on company compliance with regulation for children in the UK and EU.
Identify cases of non-compliance, develop argumentation and engage with companies and regulators for remedy, with legal support as necessary.
Work to promote compliance, by supporting public accountability for non-compliance and positive visibility of best practice.
Lead our work to raise awareness and stimulate action of industry stakeholders, notably advertisers and investors.
Liaise with technologists and experts around the world, exchanging knowledge and staying up to date on the latest developments, research and emerging issues.
Oversee the 5Rights Research Officer, research projects and evidence-gathering programmes.
Draft briefings for Executive Director and policy leads.
Contribute to 5Rights reports, positions, communications and fundraising materials.
Represent 5Rights as an expert at meetings and events.
You’ll be a confident and skilled researcher, a clear, fresh thinker, and an excellent writer. High attention to detail, an eye for nuance, and the ability to digest complex information quickly and communicate it coherently are all musts. A background in technology issues or children’s rights is preferable, but not essential. Most of all, we’re looking for someone who’s thorough, proactive, super smart, and committed to our mission.
ESSENTIAL skills and attributes:
In depth knowledge of the technology regulatory landscape from the perspective of privacy, consumer protection or child rights;
A strong understanding of the tech industry ecosystem and business models.
Experience developing or contributing to tech regulation or technical frameworks.
Strong research credentials and the ability to design and oversee technical evidence gathering for corporate compliance;
A sharp mind and pen for succinct regulatory analysis;
A meticulous eye for detail and proven ability to design and deliver high-quality products, including the ability to craft and manipulate legal language (at least in English);
A keen sense of politics and knack for strategic negotiation and timing;
The imagination and curiosity to put forward new and inventive ways to solve problems without compromising on core goals;
The reliability, patience and relentless focus required to get complex deliverables over the line;
The interpersonal, communication and leadership skills (including humility and self-confidence) to build consensus within groups and lasting positive relationships;
The confidence to engage in adversarial exchanges when necessary;
Strong prioritisation and organisation skills to manage various processes and pieces of work in parallel;
A can-do, action and solution-oriented attitude;
Self-motivation and drive to work independently and cohesively within a remote team;
The commitment, energy and enthusiasm to deliver on 5Rights’ ambitious mission.
Right to work in Belgium or the UK.
DESIRABLE skills and attributes:
Legal or technical expertise.
Experience in a similar role, e.g. working on research, enforcement or technical standards.
Experience working internationally and in culturally-diverse settings;
Ability to work in other languages, such as French or Spanish.
Location: Remote position with employee contract in UK or Belgium. Hybrid working in 5Rights’ London and Brussels co-working office spaces is available.
Salary: £43,600-£48,300 for UK-based candidate, with flexibility depending on experience; EUR 61,500-68,100 for a Belgium-based candidate.
Working hours: Full time, with some accommodation necessary for work across time-zones and international travel.
Statutory pension contribution.
25 days of annual leave.
Work equipment including a laptop and mobile phone will be provided
Starting data: asap.
Reporting line: Executive Director.
5Rights values diversity and we strongly encourage people from under-represented groups to apply for this role. We aim for our recruitment to be inclusive and equitable, and we strive to constantly learn and improve in this regard. Feel free to share your views and suggestions on how we could improve our approach with us via email to admin@5rightsfoundation.com.
Please submit your concise CV and cover letter before 19th May 2024 via our jobs portal.
If you have any queries, please contact applications@5rightsfoundation.com.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a written task as part of our recruitment approach. The task will take 2 hours. First round interviews will be held over Zoom.