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Technical Engagement Manager - APAC - Job Opportunity at ICANN

Singapore, Singapore
Full-time
Senior
Posted: May 29, 2025
Hybrid
Based on the senior-level requirements, international scope, and Singapore location, the total compensation package likely ranges from SGD 120,000 to SGD 180,000 annually (approximately USD 88,000 to USD 132,000). ICANN, being a well-funded non-profit with global reach, typically offers competitive packages that include benefits, travel allowances, and professional development opportunities that can add 20-30% to the base salary value.

Benefits

Opportunity to work with a globally recognized non-profit organization managing critical Internet infrastructure
International exposure with regular travel opportunities across the Asia-Pacific region
Professional development through involvement in high-level technical forums and stakeholder meetings
Access to cutting-edge Internet governance and technical coordination projects
Collaborative work environment with globally distributed teams
Involvement in shaping Internet policy and technical standards at a regional level

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic technical engagement initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region, directly influencing Internet infrastructure development and policy in one of the world's most dynamic digital markets
Design and deliver comprehensive technical training programs that build regional capacity for Internet governance and DNS operations, creating lasting impact on regional technical capabilities
Manage critical cooperation agreements with peer organizations across APAC, establishing ICANN's technical leadership and fostering collaborative relationships that shape regional Internet development
Drive the implementation of Security, Stability and Resiliency best practices across the region, directly contributing to the robustness of Internet infrastructure serving billions of users
Serve as the primary technical voice of ICANN in regional forums, representing the organization's technical mission and influencing key stakeholder decisions
Monitor and analyze regional technical developments, providing strategic intelligence that informs ICANN's global technical engagement strategy
Coordinate cross-functional initiatives with Global Stakeholder Engagement and Government Engagement teams, ensuring unified ICANN representation across all engagement channels
Develop specialized technical communication materials for legislators and policymakers, bridging the gap between technical complexity and policy requirements

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's Degree required, Master's Degree preferred, Study in Computer Science, IT Management or a related field desired

Experience

Minimum Twelve (12) years working in technology driven organization. A minimum of 3 years of operational experience in Internet services delivery - particularly the DNS. Prior international experience is strongly preferred along with working for a global organization. Previous Experience in Community driven Organization. Experience within an Internet Technical Coordination organization strongly preferred

Required Skills

Good understanding of the Internet Protocol (IPv4 & IPv6) technology and associated services such as DNS, DNSSEC, WHOIS Ability to quickly grasp technical concepts, particularly those related to the operation of the Internet Good understanding of ICANN's Technical ecosystem Be a seasoned facilitator and trainer capable of imparting knowledge and skills to meet ICANN technical capacity building objectives Sound judgment, diplomatic skills, and tact when interacting with various stakeholders Good understanding of ICANN's technical mission and a general understanding of the Internet Governance ecosystem Ability to communicate complex and often controversial information, concepts, policies and positions, both verbally and in writing, to internal and external audiences Good project management skills, ability to effectively manage multiple projects with overlapping tasks Ability to solve complex problems in creative and effective ways Self-motivated, ability to work independently Ability to work in a globally distributed organization and Coordinate project/work with team members using online tools Excellent interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills, including ability to work and interact in a multi-cultural and globally distributed team Setting and meeting tight project deadlines Proficiency in Microsoft Office products Multitasking abilities Fluency, both written and spoken, in English is required Fluent written and spoken language skills in any of the other official United Nations languages is strongly preferred
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing unprecedented digital transformation with countries like Singapore, South Korea, and Australia leading in IPv6 adoption and 5G deployment, creating increased demand for technical expertise in Internet infrastructure management. This trend is driving organizations to seek professionals who can navigate complex technical and regulatory environments across diverse markets. Internet governance is becoming increasingly regionalized as APAC countries assert greater control over their digital sovereignty, requiring technical engagement managers who can balance global standards with local regulatory requirements. This shift is creating new opportunities for professionals who understand both technical protocols and geopolitical dynamics. The growing emphasis on cybersecurity and Internet resilience in the wake of increased cyber threats is elevating the importance of DNS security and stability initiatives. Organizations are prioritizing professionals who can implement and promote security best practices across regional stakeholder communities. The expansion of Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing across APAC markets is creating new challenges for domain name system management and IP address allocation, requiring technical professionals who can educate and guide regional stakeholders through these technological transitions.

Role Significance

The position likely involves managing a small regional team of 2-4 technical specialists while coordinating with larger global teams across multiple time zones. The role requires extensive collaboration with cross-functional teams including Global Stakeholder Engagement, Government Engagement, and the broader CTO office, suggesting a matrix organization structure with both direct reports and dotted-line relationships.
This is a senior-level position with significant autonomy and regional responsibility, reporting directly to the Vice President level and requiring independent decision-making authority. The role carries substantial influence over technical policy implementation across one of the world's most important digital markets, with responsibilities that directly impact Internet infrastructure serving billions of users.

Key Projects

Implementation of DNSSEC adoption initiatives across APAC countries, working with national registries and ISPs to enhance DNS security Development and delivery of IPv6 transition training programs for government technical teams and regulatory bodies Coordination of regional Internet resilience exercises and incident response planning with critical infrastructure operators Management of technical capacity building programs for emerging markets in Southeast Asia and Pacific Island nations Leadership of multi-stakeholder technical working groups addressing region-specific Internet governance challenges

Success Factors

Deep technical credibility combined with exceptional diplomatic skills to navigate the complex political and cultural landscape of APAC countries, where relationship building and face-to-face engagement are crucial for establishing trust and influence with diverse stakeholder communities. Ability to translate highly technical concepts into accessible language for government officials, regulators, and business leaders who may lack technical backgrounds but make critical decisions affecting Internet infrastructure and policy development. Cultural intelligence and language capabilities to work effectively across the diverse APAC region, understanding local business practices, regulatory environments, and communication styles that vary significantly between countries like Japan, India, Australia, and emerging Southeast Asian markets. Project management excellence to coordinate complex, multi-country initiatives with varying timelines, stakeholder priorities, and regulatory requirements while maintaining alignment with ICANN's global technical strategy and standards. Strategic thinking ability to identify emerging technical trends and policy developments that could impact Internet stability and security, providing early warning and guidance to both regional stakeholders and ICANN's global leadership team.

Market Demand

High demand exists for this specialized role due to the unique combination of technical expertise, regional knowledge, and stakeholder management skills required. The Internet governance field has a limited talent pool, and professionals with both deep technical DNS/DNSSEC knowledge and APAC regional experience are particularly scarce, creating strong job security and growth opportunities.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

DNS and DNSSEC expertise is absolutely essential as these technologies form the core of Internet naming systems, and the ability to explain, troubleshoot, and implement these protocols is fundamental to credibly representing ICANN's technical mission and providing valuable guidance to regional stakeholders. Stakeholder management and diplomatic communication skills are crucial given the sensitive nature of Internet governance discussions and the need to build consensus among diverse groups with potentially conflicting interests, cultural backgrounds, and technical sophistication levels. Cross-cultural communication abilities are vital for success in the APAC region where business practices, communication styles, and regulatory approaches vary dramatically between countries, requiring adaptability and cultural sensitivity to build effective working relationships. Project management capabilities are critical due to the complex, multi-stakeholder nature of technical engagement initiatives that often involve coordinating activities across multiple countries, organizations, and technical communities with varying priorities and timelines.

Beneficial Skills

IPv6 implementation experience is increasingly valuable as APAC countries continue transitioning from IPv4 to IPv6 addressing, creating opportunities to provide technical guidance and training on deployment best practices and transition strategies. Cybersecurity and Internet resilience knowledge enhances effectiveness in addressing growing regional concerns about DNS security, DDoS mitigation, and critical infrastructure protection that are top priorities for government and industry stakeholders. Regulatory and policy analysis skills help navigate the evolving Internet governance landscape in APAC where countries are developing new digital sovereignty frameworks and data localization requirements that impact DNS operations. Emerging technology awareness in areas like IoT, 5G, and edge computing enables more strategic conversations with stakeholders about future Internet infrastructure needs and technical coordination requirements.

Unique Aspects

This role offers the rare opportunity to directly influence Internet infrastructure policy and technical standards across the world's most dynamic digital region, working at the intersection of technology, policy, and international relations in ways that few other positions can provide.
The position provides access to high-level government officials, technology executives, and international organization leaders across APAC countries, offering exceptional networking opportunities and exposure to diverse perspectives on Internet governance and digital policy.
The role involves working on cutting-edge technical challenges related to Internet scalability, security, and resilience that directly impact billions of users, providing the satisfaction of contributing to critical global infrastructure that enables modern digital society.
The combination of technical depth required (DNS, DNSSEC, IPv6) with broad regional engagement responsibilities creates a unique professional profile that is highly valued in the limited Internet governance community and opens doors to executive opportunities across multiple sectors.
The position offers extensive international travel and cultural exposure across the diverse APAC region, providing personal and professional growth opportunities while working on globally significant technical initiatives.

Career Growth

Career progression to executive levels typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing individuals in this role, given the specialized nature of the field and the accelerating importance of Internet governance expertise in both private sector and government organizations across the region.

Potential Next Roles

Vice President of Technical Engagement or Regional Vice President roles within ICANN, leveraging demonstrated success in managing complex regional technical initiatives and stakeholder relationships Chief Technology Officer positions at national Internet registries, regional Internet registries (like APNIC), or major telecommunications companies with significant Internet infrastructure responsibilities Senior Director roles at technology policy organizations, international standards bodies, or government agencies focused on cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection Executive positions at major cloud service providers or content delivery networks expanding their APAC operations and requiring expertise in regional Internet governance and technical coordination

Company Overview

ICANN

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is a globally recognized non-profit organization responsible for coordinating the Internet's system of unique identifiers, including domain names, IP addresses, and protocol parameters. Established in 1998, ICANN plays a critical role in maintaining the stability, security, and interoperability of the Internet's infrastructure, working with a global community of stakeholders including governments, businesses, civil society, and technical experts.

ICANN holds a unique and essential position in the global Internet ecosystem as the sole organization responsible for coordinating Internet naming and numbering systems. With an annual budget exceeding $135 million and operations spanning six continents, ICANN is widely recognized as the authoritative body for Internet governance technical coordination, working closely with organizations like the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and regional Internet registries.
ICANN maintains a strong and growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region through its Singapore office, which serves as the hub for engagement with over 40 countries and territories. The organization has been expanding its APAC operations significantly in recent years, recognizing the region's importance as home to more than 60% of the world's Internet users and some of the most innovative digital economies globally.
ICANN operates as a consensus-driven, multi-stakeholder organization that values transparency, international collaboration, and technical excellence. The work environment emphasizes cross-cultural communication, data-driven decision making, and collaborative problem-solving, with employees typically working across multiple time zones and participating in global policy development processes that can span months or years.
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