Position Overview #
The Civil Society Technology Foundation (CSTF) seeks a dynamic Community Development Manager to build, nurture, and grow our global community of technologists, civil society advocates, and organizations working toward digital self-determination.
As a volunteer-led US 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, CSTF empowers individuals and communities to reclaim control over their digital lives through open-source, self-hosted technologies. Our Community Development Manager will be instrumental in creating pathways for meaningful participation and collaboration within our ecosystem.
About CSTF #
The Civil Society Technology Foundation operates on the principle that digital technology is, in its essence, a common good. We collaborate to remove barriers to creating, sharing, and using software through:
- Open software development - Building tools like our flagship Wild Cloud project
- Educational resources - Creating accessible learning materials for digital autonomy
- Community engagement - Fostering networks of technologists and civil society advocates
Our work is guided by core principles including self-determination by design, transparent governance, contribution-based membership, and the belief that healthy ecosystems win through genuine utility to communities.
Primary Responsibilities #
Community Platform Management #
- Manage and moderate our community forum at forum.civilsociety.dev
- Create welcoming onboarding experiences for new community members
- Facilitate productive discussions around digital self-determination, open-source development, and civil society technology
- Develop community guidelines that reflect CSTF’s principles of transparent governance and consensual participation
Community Growth & Engagement #
- Develop and implement strategies to grow active participation in CSTF communities
- Create programs to recognize and celebrate community contributions across multiple forms (code, documentation, advocacy, education)
- Organize virtual and in-person events, including workshops, meetups, and conferences
- Foster connections between community members with complementary skills and interests
Partnership & Ecosystem Development #
- Build relationships with aligned organizations in the open-source, digital rights, and civil society spaces
- Facilitate partnerships and collaborative projects between CSTF and other community organizations
- Represent CSTF at conferences, events, and in other community spaces
- Create bridges between technical and non-technical community members
Content & Communication #
- Develop community-generated content including success stories, case studies, and member spotlights
- Coordinate community contributions to educational resources and documentation
- Manage community communication channels and ensure information flows effectively
- Support community-driven initiatives and amplify member achievements
Required Qualifications #
- Community Experience: 3+ years of community management or development experience, preferably in technology or civil society contexts
- Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication abilities for diverse audiences
- Facilitation: Proven ability to moderate discussions, resolve conflicts, and facilitate productive collaboration
- Mission Alignment: Deep commitment to digital self-determination, open-source principles, and community empowerment
- Cultural Competency: Experience working with diverse, global communities and understanding of different participation styles
Preferred Qualifications #
- Open Source Background: Experience with open-source communities and development processes
- Technical Understanding: Familiarity with self-hosted infrastructure, federated systems, and digital privacy concepts
- Event Organization: Experience organizing community events, both virtual and in-person
- Civil Society Knowledge: Understanding of civil society organizations, digital rights advocacy, or community organizing
- Multilingual: Ability to communicate in multiple languages to support global community growth
Key Success Metrics #
- Growth in active community participation and member retention
- Increased quality and frequency of community-generated content and contributions
- Successful community-driven initiatives and collaborative projects
- Strong community feedback scores and satisfaction metrics
- Effective onboarding and integration of new community members
- Development of community leadership and distributed governance structures
Community Engagement Strategies #
Contribution Recognition #
- Implement systems to recognize diverse forms of contribution beyond just code
- Create pathways for community members to take on leadership roles
- Celebrate achievements in ways that align with our principle that “contribution defines membership”
Educational Community Building #
- Organize learning circles around digital self-determination topics
- Facilitate peer-to-peer teaching and mentorship programs
- Create study groups for community members exploring self-hosted technologies
Advocacy & Outreach #
- Support community members in becoming advocates for digital rights and technological autonomy
- Coordinate community participation in relevant conferences and events
- Facilitate community input on CSTF policy positions and public statements
Organizational Culture & Values #
This role requires deep alignment with CSTF’s core principles:
- Contribution Defines Membership: Understanding that participation is earned through action and multiple forms of contribution should be valued
- Transparent Governance: All community governance must be visible, accountable, and auditable
- Interoperability via Consent: Standards and collaboration emerge from alignment, not imposition
- Healthy Ecosystems Win: Success measured by genuine utility to communities, not vanity metrics
- Critical Adoption over Blind Use: Helping community members make informed choices about technology trade-offs
Compensation & Structure #
This is a volunteer leadership position with the Civil Society Technology Foundation. As we grow and secure funding, this role may transition to a paid position based on organizational capacity and community development success.
How to Apply #
CSTF is committed to building strong, inclusive communities that reflect the diversity of civil society. We welcome applications from individuals with varied backgrounds who share our vision of technological self-determination.
To express interest in this position:
- Join our community at forum.civilsociety.dev
- Review our principles and mission to ensure alignment
- Introduce yourself in a reply to this forum post (or message the post’s author) to describing:
- Participate in ongoing discussions to demonstrate your community engagement style
We operate with transparent, distributed governance and welcome collaborative input on this role’s development and community strategy.
Contact #
For questions about this position or CSTF’s community development reply to this forum post .
Join us in building vibrant communities where technology serves people through shared ownership, collaborative development, and mutual support for digital self-determination.