Executive Director

ID2020, the leading multi-stakeholder organization focused on digital ID, seeks a thoughtful, visionary, and accomplished Executive Director (ED) to steward the organization through its next phase of strategic growth. Supported by a talented staff and ID2020’s Board of Directors, the new ED will extend ID2020’s capacity and influence by deepening programmatic success, elevating ID2020’s public profile, attracting new partners and funders, and ensuring staff wellbeing and growth. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead an organization at the forefront of digital rights and global development. ID2020 was founded on the belief that digital ID is an essential component to lifting the world's poorest billion persons out of poverty, and that better digital ID is a vital piece of digital infrastructure worldwide. Since its founding in 2016, ID2020 has convened diverse voices – humanitarians, experts in privacy and civil liberties, technologists, and business leaders – to collectively define principles and set standards for “good” ID. The ID2020 community now includes nearly 30 alliance partners, collectively touching more than one-half of the people on the planet. Their collective efforts have led to the launch of the ID2020 Certification in 2019, which incentivizes the development and adoption of digital ID solutions that are interoperable and privacy-protecting, providing a basis for individuals to access needed goods and services without risk of their data being inappropriately shared or misused. ID2020 programs in Thailand, Indonesia and Bangladesh have tested the viability of these technologies in low-connectivity and low-resource settings. No other organization working on the social implications of digital ID exists with such a diverse community. As the digital ID landscape continues to rapidly evolve, there is growing need for ID2020’s unique role as convener, standards-setter, and advocate for the responsible and inclusive development and deployment of digital ID technologies. Under the leadership of its ED, ID2020 will bring to life its strategic plan and define a path forward that meets these needs. The ED will expand ID2020’s partner community, deepen stakeholder engagement, and galvanize accelerated programmatic progress. This will include identifying emerging use cases for digital ID that will need to be prioritized and discussed in ways that raise sensitivity around inclusion and equity or provide opportunities to close the digital ID gap. The ED will also ensure long-term organizational sustainability and increase capacity for programming and funding, as well as advance public understanding of digital ID by evangelizing a future where digital ID is empowering, safe, and inclusive. Reporting directly to ID2020’s Board Chairman and working closely with the full Board of Directors, the ED will implement the strategic plan in support of its theory of change and harness the talent of ID2020’s staff as they work together to fulfill the organization’s mission. The ED will direct and mentor the staff and will lead by example to foster a culture of collaboration, outcome-based performance and support. Location is flexible and the organization operates virtually. RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Leadership and Board Collaboration Execute on the strategic and organizational objectives set forth in ID2020’s 2022 Strategic Plan and, in future years, lead the process to define strategic and organizational objectives of the organization in collaboration with the Board. Report to the Board on execution of the priorities set forth in the strategic plan. Work with Board leadership to ensure on-going functioning and governance of the Board. Operational Management and Programmatic Expansion Oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the organization and its staff to execute on the strategic and organizational objectives set forth in the Strategic Plan, and to ensure continuity of program delivery in line with the Board’s guidance. Build and strengthen existing relationships and build new relationships with external stakeholders, including partners, funders, and other actors addressing the social implications of digital ID. Identify emergent use cases and ecosystems for decentralized digital ID in order to develop new opportunities for programmatic expansion and ensure a pipeline of strategic projects. Provide strategic oversight and substantive contributions to ID2020 programs. Hire, oversee and lead the ID2020 staff with a style that is flexible, empowering, highly communicative, encourages teamwork, offers mentorship, and supports a high-performance remote work environment. Ensure effective systems to track progress that can be effectively communicated to the Board of Directors, funders, and other constituents. Fundraising and Fiscal Management Ensure fundraising and resource development that supports sustained operations and execution of strategic priorities. Cultivate a strong pipeline of prospects for ID2020 Alliance partnership and maintain close working relationships with partners to ensure the continued commitment (financial and substantive) of partner organizations to the work of ID2020. Ensure proper financial management and budgeting in collaboration with the Board Chair, the Board Treasurer and ID2020’s external accountants. External Relationships and Communication Act as the public face of ID2020. Advance the development and implementation of a public engagement and media strategy to further strengthen ID2020’s public profile and influence. Engage actively with media, policymakers, and external stakeholders, with the support of the communications staff. QUALIFICATIONS The ideal candidate will bring experience leading multi-sectoral partnerships, a depth in tech policy, an understanding of the far-reaching impact that digital ID will have on people and society, and a desire to see that ID-related technologies are used in fair and just ways. Additional qualifications and characteristics include the following: Minimum of seven to ten years’ experience managing at the top levels of an organization. Nonprofit management experience, including successfully partnering with a Board of Directors, and responsibility for the fiscal oversight of an operation. Proven experience in developing and operationalizing strategies to take an organization to a new stage of growth and impact. Skill as an outstanding coach, mentor, and motivator of professionals, with a dedication to hiring, retaining, and developing outstanding and diverse talent. Demonstrated commitment to and fluency with issues of equity and privacy. Knowledge, deep interest, curiosity, and insights about the history, status, and likely trajectory of digital ID. Professional credibility and maturity to effectively engage and build authentic relationships, including the ability to build trust and consensus, and to influence widely diverse stakeholders, spanning multiple sectors. Outstanding communication skills in multiple environments, ranging from internal to external audiences. Demonstrated experience fundraising from a variety of sources including corporations, philanthropies, and public sector sources.