Technical Program Manager/ Tbilisi, Georgia, Critical Infrastructure Digitalization and Resilience (CIDR)

JOB TITLE: Technical Program Manager/ Tbilisi, Georgia, Critical Infrastructure Digitalization and Resilience (CIDR)

REPORTS TO: Country Director

LOCATION: Tbilisi, Georgia

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: September 2023–August 2025 (with the possibility of extension)

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 and action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism 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 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.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Critical Infrastructure Digitalization and Resilience (CIDR) is a five-year (October 2021–September 2026) USAID-funded program that supports the Governments of Europe and Eurasia countries (including the Western Balkans, Black Sea region, and South Caucasus) in assisting critical infrastructure entities to incorporate cybersecurity best practices into organizational operations, planning, and procurement; prioritize cybersecurity investment needs; select appropriate mandatory or voluntary standards and corresponding security controls; and establish the basis for region-wide cybersecurity information sharing. Through a regional approach targeting improved policies and legislation, information sharing, workforce development, and capacity-building, the program targets sectors such as banking, energy (electric, natural gas, oil, district heating), water (transmission, distribution), transport, healthcare, and telecommunications.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Critical Infrastructure Digitalization and Resilience activity in Georgia (CIDR/Georgia) is seeking a Technical Program Manager to support the implementation of the CIDR program. The Technical Program Manager will oversee the development and implementation of technical elements of the CIDR effort to develop more cyber-resilient critical infrastructure in Georgia. This will require working closely with government regulators, sector associations, donors, and other stakeholders in applying information-security training and capacity building across the CIDR/Georgia work plan. The Technical Program Manager will also be responsible for providing technical support to enterprise-level assessment and capacity-building efforts. This includes facilitating the procurement of licensed software, cloud, and other services, as well as the training of personnel overseeing the upgraded enterprise networks.

The Technical Program Manager will be an important member of the CIDR team and will play a vital role in determining the gaps in critical infrastructure cybersecurity practices and capacities in order to develop technical recommendations for further support activities. The position requires a strong technical understanding of cybersecurity and broader issues related to ICT, excellent communication and coordination skills, an in-depth understanding of national sociopolitical developments, 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 Technical Program Manager will work closely with other members of the team based in Tbilisi, Georgia, and throughout the region and the United States.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Development: The Technical Program Manager will support CIDR/Georgia’s effort to develop cybersecurity laws, regulations, and best practices impacting critical infrastructure in key sectors across Georgia. This will require overseeing the technical role of consultants and/or partner resources over the policy drafting and training activities associated with strengthening the regulatory environment for select critical infrastructure sectors.

Procurement: The Technical Program Manager will closely monitor the development of the technical specifications and procurement activities associated with strengthening specific enterprises supported by the program. The Technical Program Manager will play an important role in the enterprise scoping activities and work closely with the CIDR team throughout the procurement process and will serve as a primary contact for beneficiaries and engaged vendors.

Workforce Development: The Technical Program Manager will play a leading role in developing the training priorities needed for raising the quality of the cybersecurity workforce in Georgia by upgrading standards and instruction at educational institutions and training at select critical infrastructure. This will include identifying key higher education and critical infrastructure enterprises and facilitating their participation in the program.

Stakeholder Engagement: The Technical Program Manager will engage with stakeholders, including government agencies, industrial associations, donors, and other relevant parties, to ensure buy-in and support for the program. This will include assisting in organizing meetings, workshops, conferences, and other events to communicate the program’s objectives, progress, and challenges.

OTHER TASKS:

• Lead the design of program activities.
• Support the Country Director by overseeing technical aspects of implementation of program activities.
• Provide technical program leadership to implementing partners and key stakeholders.
• Facilitate meetings and events with key national stakeholders.
• Draft or contribute to program reports, work plans, monitoring and evaluation plans, and communications materials.
• Provide management support by overseeing subawardees, consultants, partners, etc.
• Serve as Acting Country Director when the Country Director is unavailable.
• Collaborate closely with CIDR management, home office, and CIDR colleagues located in other countries.
• Conduct technical reviews of all deliverables and communicate feedback as needed.
• Assist the Country Director with other time-sensitive and priority tasks.
• Other tasks as directed.

REPORTING:

The Technical Program Manager will be responsible for providing regular progress reports to the Country Director, CIDR management, Georgia’s national cybersecurity leadership, and USAID. This will involve collecting data, analyzing results, report writing, and making recommendations for improvements.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Technical Program Manager will be responsible for direct oversight of short-term technical consultants and will oversee the implementing partner resources.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

The Technical Program Manager will travel as needed to support regional activities or related CIDR meetings and workshops. Domestic travel within Georgia may also be required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in information technology, engineering, cybersecurity, or social sciences.
• At least five years of experience working in the ICT sector.
• Flexibility and willingness to support various activities in various capacities to ensure success of activities implemented by a small team. This may include administrative and operational duties.
• Two or more years of experience supporting donor-supported ICT programs.
• Experience with technical plan development and implementing work plan activities, ensuring results are achieved or exceeded.
• Familiarity with key cybersecurity and critical information infrastructure protection concepts and policies.
• Experience working effectively with counterparts at various levels of government, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and other key stakeholders.
• Networks and relationships with cybersecurity regulators and entities in Georgia.
• Experience operating programs in a dynamic working environment with multiple partners and teams. Proven experience working on a project team is preferred.
• Strong English language skills, verbal and written.
• Ability to work with people of various cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.
• ICT- and/or cybersecurity-related certifications or training preferred.

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.

How to apply

To apply, please click the below link.

Position Description (taleo.net)