About the Role

CRDF Global is seeking a hands-on Cybersecurity Architect to help strengthen the cyber resilience of partner governments and critical infrastructure organizations across Central and South America and the Caribbean. This position supports U.S. government-funded cybersecurity and digital resilience programming and serves as a technical lead for current programs and future opportunities. As part of a regional deployment team, the Cybersecurity Architect will conduct rapid diagnostics, cybersecurity assessments, SOC maturity reviews, vulnerability analysis, and remediation planning aligned with NIST CSF 2.0, ISO 27001, EU NIS2, and other recognized standards. The role is well suited for a cybersecurity practitioner who can work independently in field environments and translate technical findings into practical, prioritized roadmaps for senior stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Cybersecurity Assessments & Technical Delivery

• Lead cybersecurity assessments aligned with NIST CSF 2.0, ISO 27001, EU NIS2, and comparable frameworks.
• Conduct hands-on vulnerability scanning and analysis using tools such as Nessus, Qualys, and relevant open-source utilities.
• Evaluate SOC maturity, including log collection, SIEM configuration, alerting, case management, and incident response procedures.
• Assess technical controls such as network segmentation, firewalls, endpoint detection and response, identity and access management, and multifactor authentication.
• Produce clear technical reports with risk ratings, prioritized remediation roadmaps, and actionable implementation plans.
• Support technical hardening, remediation planning, and incident response engagements when required.

Solution Design & Program Support

• Provide technical leadership for the design, planning, and implementation of cybersecurity projects.
• Develop practical frameworks and tools for implementing and evaluating technical solutions.
• Ensure solutions align with applicable technical standards, regulatory requirements, and security guidance.
• Coordinate with CRDF Global’s Digital Resilience team and Office of the CTO to maintain technical and architectural consistency across regional programs.
• Contribute technical input to proposals and new business opportunities.

Partner Engagement & Representation

• Build collaborative relationships with customers, government partners, CERTs, universities, and other organizations.
• Lead executive-level cybersecurity discussions and present technical findings in clear, practical terms.
• Represent CRDF Global in technical meetings, conferences, seminars, and other professional forums.
• Travel internationally for short-term engagements throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean, as needed.

Requirements:

• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in cybersecurity solution design and delivery, security operations, risk assessment, and mitigation projects.
• Experience conducting cybersecurity assessments using NIST CSF or comparable frameworks.
• Experience designing or operating security monitoring, operations, and response capabilities, including identity, endpoint, network, and SIEM solutions.
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity governance and identity, endpoint, and network security controls.
• Ability to brief senior stakeholders and translate technical findings into prioritized remediation and project plans.
• Ability to work independently in resource-constrained or complex operational environments.
• Fluency in spoken and written Spanish and English.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally.
• Relevant industry certification, such as CISSP, CISA, CCSP, CEH, GIAC, or certifications from Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, or Cisco.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading cyber incident response and recovery efforts involving nation-state threat actors.
• Experience with foreign assistance or government-funded programs, particularly in Latin America.
• College degree in cybersecurity or a related field.