Job Summary

This role will be responsible for supporting research and deliverables related to the New gTLD Program: Next Round. This role will lead in the implementation of one or more research projects, as assigned. The role will have a heavy focus on the development of written communications, in particular drafting content related to the New gTLD Program: Next Round but also, research reports, implementation plans, project management documentation, formal correspondence, memos, and briefings. The role will be expected to work cross-functionally to execute various activities and develop subject-matter expertise within the assigned areas.

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

Support projects of diverse scope for ICANN's Global Domains & Strategy function. For the respective projects, the Research Specialist will:

• Contribute to strategic decision-making for new projects and initiatives through proactively preparing background information, research, or other requisite materials.
• Analyze policy or other recommendations (e.g., recommendations from Review Teams) and advice and develop written summaries and reports for internal and external audiences.
• Develop detailed implementation plans for policy or other recommendations and advice
• Conduct policy or advice implementation-related research and analysis, and support implementation of policy or advice.
• Complete research projects requiring collection, analysis, and synthesis of multiple sources of information.
• Serve as subject-matter expert on cross-functional teams, providing input on behalf of the team and/or department and producing requisite materials, briefings, or other documentation
• Design reports to inform senior management of status and assume responsibility for quality and timing of delivery of reports.
• Prepare formal presentations for internal and external ICANN stakeholders, including research and synthesis of multiple sources of complex information, managing inputs from multiple stakeholders.
• Complete project deliverables on time in adherence to project schedule and management direction, prioritizing and escalating issues in a timely manner.
• Coordinate major project elements including but not limited to: issue identification and resolution; establishing rationale for decisions; feasibility and advisability analysis; implementation activities; gathering status and adjusting project schedules as necessary; preparing reports and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Develop process documentation and coordinate process improvement initiatives.

1. Organizing and facilitating cross-functional discussions and guiding groups to decisions and/or consensus on difficult or sensitive topics.
2. Other duties as assigned or requested.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Superior English communication skills (written and verbal).
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Attention to detail for accuracy and quality of communications.
• Experience in writing for a variety of audiences and purposes, which may include business correspondence, research reports, marketing content, process documentation, announcements, and/or blogs.
• Experience in using a CRM tool such as Salesforce.
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection and data analysis.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Google Suite.
• Familiarity with editorial best practices and style guides.
• A strong customer focus.
• A commitment to organizational principles of accountability and transparency.
• A sense of ownership and drive to complete tasks.

With a demonstrated ability to:

• Follow project management and business best practices.
• Identify and work with key stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Work independently with minimal supervision on complex, non-routine issues as well as performing transactional duties in an efficient manner with a high degree of accuracy.
• Apply critical thinking to assess sources and relevance of complex information and inputs.
• Develop accurate written materials based on research and/or interviews with subject-matter experts.
• Effectively report status on projects/processes to management and peers.
• Digest and summarize large amounts of hard-to-find or unfamiliar information in a short amount of time.
• Receive constructive feedback and continuously improve deliverables.
• Adjust writing style to fit different audiences and varying degrees of internal or external visibility.
• Perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex issues and present results to a variety of stakeholders.
• Multi-task with attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
• Meet tight deadlines in fast-paced and high-pressure environment
• Grasp political, societal, legal, and operational implications of complex issues.
• Acquire new knowledge quickly and comprehensively.
• Exercise cross-cultural communications skills, listening and communicating with tact and diplomacy in daily interactions.
• Act as a resource for colleagues with less experience.
• Apply strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Adapt to new technologies, organizational, and procedural changes.
• Work in fast paced cross-cultural team environment, including working with staff members and stakeholders in multiple time zones.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master's Degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a business or nonprofit environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must include at least 5 years of academic, technical or business writing experience.
• Prior experience working for an international organization, strongly preferred
• Experience in any of the following areas preferred: Domain Name Industry, Technical Writing, Research, Data Analysis, Operations, Project Management, Product Management, Implementation Management, Finance, Vendor Management, and Legal.

Languages:

• Fluent written and spoken in English is required; at least one additional language at business competency level is strongly desired.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed in a normal office environment with limited privacy and some exposure to background noise.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and walk.
• The employee regularly is required to sit.
• The employee is frequently required to talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and to reach with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Work location is ICANN office in Los Angeles, with possibility of offsite meetings or travel as relevant to job responsibilities.

Targeted Base Salary Low:$60K + 10% Bonus + Benefits

Targeted Base Salary High:$80K + 10% Bonus + Benefits

Apply at: https://phe.tbe.taleo.net/phe03/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=ICANN&cws=37&rid=2667