Context

Founded in 2021 and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the Simon Institute for Longterm Governance (SI) works to support the governance of emerging technologies and existential risks, building on Herbert Simon's vision of future-proof policymaking processes. Operating at the interface of science and policy, SI synthesizes research and connects thought leaders to decision-makers. 

SI’s work is focused on the multilateral system as a key catalyst for global cooperation, which is necessary for humanity to flourish sustainably. Being embedded in international Geneva and the wider Swiss foreign policy community, SI supports Switzerland in its role as the global hub driving a scientific multilateralism focused on furthering universal values.

The Director of External Affairs will lead our engagement with international organizations, governments and the broader public. This role is travel-intense, as our stakeholders are spread across continents and in-person interaction is key to building trust and bandwidth. Together with the founders and incoming team, you will develop strategies for outreach and communications and likely develop your own team.

The Director of External Affairs is a full-time, in-person position. It is one of 3-4 roles that we expect to hire for until the end of 2022. As such, it will play a key role in defining the organization’s culture and processes as we grow.

What this role will do 

You will lead the development of SI’s capacity to interact with the rest of the world, for example by developing effective framings of key ideas for diverse contexts, socializing solutions, briefing stakeholders or coordinating our communications.

Outreach

• Identify, liaise with, and coordinate action with other policy champions on global catastrophic risk
• Represent SI and present its work at high-level events across the globe
• Maintain a network of policy entrepreneurs inside key institutions to implement recommendations
• Build a network of international experts on emerging tech governance issues for diverse and legitimate input into policy processes

Strategy

• Map the landscape and institutions, stakeholder positions and interests, vocabularies and framings
• Map relevant institutional mandates and processes to understand other actors’ strategies 
• Identify high-impact opportunities for institutional change, legislative change or process support

Relationships

• Develop effective communication approaches to various audiences
• Ensure SI’s public communication is coherent and up to date
• Document and summarize meetings & insights to regularly brief the team on external developments
• Brief key stakeholders and partners on SI’s work
• Organize events to bring together diverse stakeholders to bridge gaps

What we expect

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of experience in diplomatic settings, and continues to be eager to learn and grow. You will have to be willing to move to Geneva, as we do not yet have the capacity for continuous remote work. We expect you to be motivated to stay at the organization for at least 3 years while it grows into a mature organization. As SI is young, you will have to show a lot of initiative and be willing to lean into stress to resolve conflicts. 

Below is an overview of knowledge & skills we expect the ideal candidate to have. These aren’t necessary conditions. As this is our first hiring round, we are not highly confident in our ability to predict the profile of the perfect candidate. We encourage anyone who can handle the responsibilities outlined above to apply.

• Experience in partnership management and public relations
• Basic understanding of existential risks & future generations
• Advanced understanding of the multilateral system and international affairs
• Experience working with stakeholders from low and middle income countries
• Experience in a disarmament, arms control or disaster risk reduction
• Perfect English - written & oral; fluency in French or another UN language desirable
• Experience working in a rapidly evolving environment and leading teams
• Experience speaking and networking at high-profile events

What we offer

• A dynamic environment with an ambitious co-founder team of 7 years
• An opportunity for varied personal development in an impact-focused organization
• An inclusive and feedback-rich culture with plenty of intellectual stimulation
• A network from civil society, to academia, the private sector and governments
• Visa sponsorship for exceptional non-EU candidates