The Skoll Global Threats Fund is building a world-class team of individuals dedicated to pooling their talents, networks, and knowledge to finding and promoting innovative solutions to the globe’s most challenging problems. Join us.

OPEN POSITIONS

Director – Global Security

Jeff Skoll launched the Skoll Global Threats Fund in 2009 to tackle the world’s most pressing issues. With Dr. Larry Brilliant as President and CEO, the Skoll Global Threats Fund has a mandate to drive large-scale global change on the most critical issues facing humankind. The organization will identify and support innovative high-impact initiatives to combat climate change, water insecurity, pandemics, nuclear proliferation, and Middle East conflict.  The Skoll Global Threats Fund has headquarters in San Francisco, California.

Position Description 
The Director, Global Security will be the content expert for the Skoll Global Threats Funds on security and defense issues, including nuclear proliferation. The Director, Global Security, will help shape and manage the Fund’s strategy, networks, grantmaking, and policy approaches to engagement in nuclear proliferation and other issues involving security/military perspectives, such as bioterrorism and conflict in the Middle East. She/he will share our belief that emerging and existing global threats share common challenges in areas like risk management, risk communications, policymaking on issues of low probability/high consequence, leadership, and governance. This position will work closely with the other issue specialists at the organization, including the Director, Global Health and Manager, Middle East, as well as the VP for Alliances and Partnerships and the Director of Policy and Communications. This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Chief Operating Officer.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

  • Serve as the Skoll Global Threats Fund’s primary content specialist on security issues, including nuclear proliferation.
  • Oversee the Fund’s Middle East Manager and contribute security input to the Middle East strategy.
  • Build and maintain a world-class network of relationships with key players in the security arena (NGOs, philanthropic, government, private sector).
  • Follow and assess key developments in nuclear proliferation issues globally, including technical developments.
  • Provide input to the strategic planning process, leading strategy development for nuclear proliferation and providing a security lens across all the threats the Fund works on.
  • Research grantmaking opportunities in the nuclear proliferation sphere; conduct due diligence and make grant recommendations; manage grant relationships; assess impact.
  • Help develop initiatives around cross-cutting issues (including, but not limited to, risk literacy, governance, and new coalitions) that affect several global threats
  • Represent the Skoll Global Threats Fund at external security-related meetings.
  • Help shape and manage Fund-supported public campaigns around security issues, including nuclear proliferation.
  • Contribute to internal and key constituent communications on security and nuclear proliferation issues.
  • Coordinate Skoll Global Threats’ founder, CEO, and board interactions having to do with nuclear proliferation and other security issues.
  • Collaborate with other organizations within the larger Skoll “family”, including the Skoll Foundation
  • Work with a cross-functional team to explore project development ideas for the Fund.
  • Help drive organizational efficiencies, impact and overall improvements.

 

Knowledge, skills, and assets

  • 15+ years working in the national security field.
  • Knowledge of nuclear proliferation issues.
  • Knowledge of Middle East issues.
  • Ability to translate from strategic imperatives to tactical realities.
  • Strong personal networks in the international security sphere.
  • Understanding of the policy environment around security issues.
  • Experience in military role strongly preferred.
  • Experience in making, managing and measuring grants preferred.
  • Management experience required.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; desire and ability to work in a collaborative team environment
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills. Comfortable expressing opinions in a setting that encourages a vibrant exchange of ideas.
  • Self-starter with the desire and proven ability to work in a start-up organization with an intense, results-oriented environment.
  • A strongly developed sense of integrity, humility and discretion.
  • Available for international travel.
  • The position is based in the San Francisco headquarters of the Skoll Global Threats Fund.

 

Education and Experience

An advanced degree in a relevant subject is required. At least fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in a national security role. Experience managing strategic and operational relationships with external partners.

Compensation 

A competitive compensation package will be commensurate with background.

Applicants

Please send a cover letter and resume to: mskarenrea@gmail.com. Please specify “Director, Global Security” in the message subject line. We will contact qualified applicants. In your cover letter, please tell us how your specific experiences and accomplishments address our needs and mission. Deadline for submission is March 16, 2012.