The Global Network Initiative (GNI) is a growing alliance of ICT companies, human rights and media freedom organizations, responsible investors and academic experts from around the world all dedicated to promoting user rights across the sector. GNI helps companies respect freedom of expression and privacy rights when faced with government demands to hand over user data, remove content, or restrict communications.
GNI was launched in late 2008 as a multistakeholder initiative committed to the GNI Principles on Freedom of Expression and Privacy, together with Implementation Guidelines for companies. GNI’s accountability focus is complemented by its wide-ranging learning activities and policy initiatives as it deepens its impact among its participants and widens its influence with other stakeholders, especially governments and international institutions.
As it enters its second decade, GNI faces a constantly evolving geopolitical and technological as well as policy and regulatory landscape. Its integrated accountability model, learning forum and advocacy platform has the potential to become even more influential in protecting and advancing freedom of expression and privacy in the ICT sector. Meeting this challenge will depend on extending GNI’s reach to other companies across the sector as well as to new participants and stakeholders, especially in the Global South. Success also requires expanding GNI’s funding to strengthen its capacity and impact.
The next Independent Chair will succeed Mark Stephens CBE after the conclusion of his second three-year term in March 2020. The Independent Chair will be prepared to dedicate at least one-fifth of their time to working closely with the GNI Board, executive director and staff, participants and other stakeholders to strengthen GNI as a global standard and force for freedom of expression and the right to privacy across the ICT sector. The role focuses both internally and externally to advance this mission:
Internally, the Independent Chair will guide the GNI Board’s discussions, deliberations and decisions while listening to and facilitating participation by all members. They will balance diverse constituencies and perspectives with the goal of forging consensus and encouraging action. The Chair should reflect and reinforce GNI’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, especially as the organization seeks to extend its reach to Global South countries. The Chair will also play a critical role as the Board addresses the strategic challenges and opportunities GNI faces in its second decade.
Externally, the Independent Chair, together with the Executive Director, is the primary face and voice of GNI with governments, international institutions, and other stakeholders and audiences. The Chair will demonstrate a command of GNI’s issues and objectives related to freedom of expression and privacy rights in the ICT sector, in order to represent GNI effectively at select major public events and private meetings. The Chair, whatever their geographical background, will promote GNI’s diversity as they represent this increasingly global multistakeholder initiative. The Chair will also engage directly in high-level efforts to expand GNI’s funding base and to encourage new companies to become members.
The Independent Chair will be prepared through experience and expertise to fulfill these responsibilities and to apply these capabilities:
Interested candidates should contact GNI at [email protected].