ICANN Nominating Committee Invitation for 2024 Candidates

Contents

Overall Criteria

Qualifications Sought

Mission, Commitments and Core Values

The NomCom Process and Background

Selecting References

Due diligence and third-party references

Conflicts of Interest

The Nominating Committee (NomCom) for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) invites interested individuals to submit applications for key leadership positions within ICANN. Selected individuals will have a unique opportunity to work with accomplished colleagues from around the globe to help shape the Internet's technical coordination and policy development. The deadline to submit applications is 15 March 2024 at 23:59 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Overall Criteria

The NomCom solicits advice from the ICANN Board, and relevant ICANN Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees, on desirable skill sets for incoming leaders. The advice is used by the NomCom to inform the Committee's search and selection activities. (See the Board and Community Recommendations to NomCom.)

Given ICANN's mission, commitments, and core values, selectees engage in discussions on the technical functions coordinated by ICANN and their impact on the global operation of the Internet, such as its stability and integrity, and their effect on the users of the Internet. Selectees interact in a diverse environment, involving the ICANN Board, ICANN Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees, as well as the broader Internet community, by means of a continuous, transparent, and informed dialogue, as it corresponds to the ICANN multistakeholder model.

Selectees will be part of groups that function in a collegial and cooperative manner, but in which individuals must also be prepared for intense debate in which tolerance and reasoning are necessary to accommodate and synthesize conflicting views. Careful consideration of the issues, depth of study of the precedents and environment, and the ability to deal clearly with conflict, including potential conflicts of interest, are predictors of successful contributions to ICANN.

Qualifications Sought

The NomCom seeks individuals who have demonstrated the maturity, experience, knowledge, and skills to handle the tasks and make the judgments involved in fulfilling these important leadership roles.

The NomCom seeks persons of the highest integrity and capability with experience and talents for problem solving, policy development, and decision-making involving diverse perspectives regarding how best to accomplish the mission and responsibilities of ICANN. Those selected through the NomCom process will also be expected to place the public interest of the global Internet ahead of any particular interests. In the NomCom's selections, such qualifications are more significant than deep involvement in the technical aspects of the Internet.

The NomCom selectees are expected to be knowledgeable, or committed to becoming knowledgeable, about the environment in which ICANN operates and the technical functions for which it is responsible, but strong technical knowledge of the Internet is not the determining factor in the NomCom's selections.

ICANN's Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees have selection processes designed to ensure that the needed technical expertise and knowledge of the stakeholders who participate in those bodies is present in the ICANN leadership. Together, the NomCom and these complementary selection processes yield, in the aggregate, the full range of skills and experience needed for the organization.

The NomCom will apply the criteria and terms of eligibility defined in the ICANN Bylaws to develop a pool of qualified candidates. In selecting from this candidate pool, the NomCom will also take into account additional considerations related to the specific roles to be filled and will support implementation of ICANN's mission, core values, and commitments, including its commitment to seek and support broad functional, geographic, and cultural diversity at all levels of policy development and decision-making. The NomCom encourages wide participation in this process and is grateful for the valuable input it will receive from those who nominate themselves or others for the positions available.

The NomCom welcomes and encourages applications from all members of the global Internet community. Although candidates should be able to both work and communicate well in English, there is no requirement that English be the candidate's first language.

Mission, Commitments, and Core Values

In making its selections, the NomCom will look for persons who can help ICANN satisfy its Mission, Commitments, and Core Values, as stated in its Bylaws at Article 1, Sections 1.1 and 1.2.

Section 1.1. MISSION

1. The mission of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ("ICANN") is to ensure the stable and secure operation of the Internet's unique identifier systems as described in this Section 1.1(a) (the "Mission"). Specifically, ICANN:
   1. Coordinates the allocation and assignment of names in the root zone of the Domain Name System ("DNS") and coordinates the development and implementation of policies concerning the registration of second-level domain names in generic top-level domains ("gTLDs"). In this role, ICANN's scope is to coordinate the development and implementation of policies:
      • For which uniform or coordinated resolution is reasonably necessary to facilitate the openness, interoperability, resilience, security and/or stability of the DNS including, with respect to gTLD registrars and registries, policies in the areas described in Annex G-1 and Annex G-2; and
      • That are developed through a bottom-up consensus-based multistakeholder process and designed to ensure the stable and secure operation of the Internet's unique names systems.

      The issues, policies, procedures, and principles addressed in Annex G-1 and Annex G-2 with respect to gTLD registrars and registries shall be deemed to be within ICANN's Mission.

   2. Facilitates the coordination of the operation and evolution of the DNS root name server system.
   3. Coordinates the allocation and assignment at the top-most level of Internet Protocol numbers and Autonomous System numbers. In service of its Mission, ICANN (A) provides registration services and open access for global number registries as requested by the Internet Engineering Task Force ("IETF") and the Regional Internet Registries ("RIRs") and (B) facilitates the development of global number registry policies by the affected community and other related tasks as agreed with the RIRs.
   4. Collaborates with other bodies as appropriate to provide registries needed for the functioning of the Internet as specified by Internet protocol standards development organizations. In service of its Mission, ICANN's scope is to provide registration services and open access for registries in the public domain requested by Internet protocol development organizations.
2. ICANN shall not act outside its Mission.
3. ICANN shall not regulate (i.e., impose rules and restrictions on) services that use the Internet's unique identifiers or the content that such services carry or provide, outside the express scope of Section 1.1(a). For the avoidance of doubt, ICANN does not hold any governmentally authorized regulatory authority.
4. For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding the foregoing:
   1. the foregoing prohibitions are not intended to limit ICANN's authority or ability to adopt or implement policies or procedures that take into account the use of domain names as natural-language identifiers;
   2. Notwithstanding any provision of the Bylaws to the contrary, the terms and conditions of the documents listed in subsections (A) through (C) below, and ICANN's performance of its obligations or duties thereunder, may not be challenged by any party in any proceeding against, or process involving, ICANN (including a request for reconsideration or an independent review process pursuant to Article 4) on the basis that such terms and conditions conflict with, or are in violation of, ICANN's Mission or otherwise exceed the scope of ICANN's authority or powers pursuant to these Bylaws ("Bylaws") or ICANN's Articles of Incorporation ("Articles of Incorporation"):
      • all registry agreements and registrar accreditation agreements between ICANN and registry operators or registrars in force on 1 October 2016 [1], including, in each case, any terms or conditions therein that are not contained in the underlying form of registry agreement and registrar accreditation agreement;
      • any registry agreement or registrar accreditation agreement not encompassed by (1) above to the extent its terms do not vary materially from the form of registry agreement or registrar accreditation agreement that existed on 1 October 2016;
      • any renewals of agreements described in subsection (A) pursuant to their terms and conditions for renewal; and
      • ICANN's Five-Year Strategic Plan and Five-Year Operating Plan existing on 10 March 2016.
   3. Section 1.1(d)(ii) does not limit the ability of a party to any agreement described therein to challenge any provision of such agreement on any other basis, including the other party's interpretation of the provision, in any proceeding or process involving ICANN.
   4. ICANN shall have the ability to negotiate, enter into and enforce agreements, including public interest commitments, with any party in service of its Mission.

Section 1.2. COMMITMENTS AND CORE VALUES

In performing its Mission, ICANN will act in a manner that complies with and reflects ICANN's Commitments and respects ICANN's Core Values, each as described below.

1. COMMITMENTS

   In performing its Mission, ICANN must operate in a manner consistent with these Bylaws for the benefit of the Internet community as a whole, carrying out its activities in conformity with relevant principles of international law and international conventions and applicable local law, through open and transparent processes that enable competition and open entry in Internet-related markets. Specifically, ICANN commits to do the following (each, a "Commitment," and collectively, the "Commitments"):

   1. Preserve and enhance the administration of the DNS and the operational stability, reliability, security, global interoperability, resilience, and openness of the DNS and the Internet.
   2. Maintain the capacity and ability to coordinate the DNS at the overall level and work for the maintenance of a single, interoperable Internet.
   3. Respect the creativity, innovation, and flow of information made possible by the Internet by limiting ICANN's activities to matters that are within ICANN's Mission and require or significantly benefit from global coordination;
   4. Employ open, transparent and bottom-up, multistakeholder policy development processes that are led by the private sector (including business stakeholders, civil society, the technical community, academia, and end users), while duly taking into account the public policy advice of governments and public authorities. These processes shall (A) seek input from the public, for whose benefit ICANN in all events shall act, (B) promote well-informed decisions based on expert advice, and (C) ensure that those entities most affected can assist in the policy development process;
   5. Make decisions by applying documented policies consistently, neutrally, objectively, and fairly, without singling out any particular party for discriminatory treatment (i.e., making an unjustified prejudicial distinction between or among different parties); and
   6. Remain accountable to the Internet community through mechanisms defined in these Bylaws that enhance ICANN's effectiveness.

2. CORE VALUES

   In performing its Mission, the following "Core Values" should guide the decisions and actions of ICANN:

   1. To the extent feasible and appropriate, delegating coordination functions to or recognizing the policy role of, other responsible entities that reflect the interests of affected parties and the roles of bodies internal to ICANN and relevant external expert bodies;
   2. Seeking and supporting broad, informed participation reflecting the functional, geographic, and cultural diversity of the Internet at all levels of policy development and decision-making to ensure that the bottom-up, multistakeholder policy development process is used to ascertain the global public interest and that those processes are accountable and transparent;
   3. Where feasible and appropriate, depending on market mechanisms to promote and sustain a competitive environment in the DNS market;
   4. Introducing and promoting competition in the registration of domain names where practicable and beneficial to the public interest as identified through the bottom-up, multistakeholder policy development process;
   5. Operating with efficiency and excellence, in a fiscally responsible and accountable manner and, where practicable and not inconsistent with ICANN's other obligations under these Bylaws, at a speed that is responsive to the needs of the global Internet community;
   6. While remaining rooted in the private sector (including business stakeholders, civil society, the technical community, academia, and end users), recognizing that governments and public authorities are responsible for public policy and duly taking into account the public policy advice of governments and public authorities;
   7. Striving to achieve a reasonable balance between the interests of different stakeholders, while also avoiding capture; and
   8. Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 27.2, within the scope of its Mission and other Core Values, respecting internationally recognized human rights as required by applicable law. This Core Value does not create and shall not be interpreted to create any obligation on ICANN outside its Mission, or beyond obligations found in applicable law. This Core Value does not obligate ICANN to enforce its human rights obligations, or the human rights obligations of other parties, against other parties.
3. The Commitments and Core Values are intended to apply in the broadest possible range of circumstances. The Commitments reflect ICANN's fundamental compact with the global Internet community and are intended to apply consistently and comprehensively to ICANN's activities. The specific way in which Core Values are applied, individually and collectively, to any given situation may depend on many factors that cannot be fully anticipated or enumerated. Situations may arise in which perfect fidelity to all Core Values simultaneously is not possible. Accordingly, in any situation where one Core Value must be balanced with another, potentially competing Core Value, the result of the balancing must serve a policy developed through the bottom-up multistakeholder process or otherwise best serve ICANN's Mission.

The NomCom Process and Background

For full consideration in the application process, candidate applications must be submitted by 15 March 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). Individuals who do not complete their personalized online application by 15 March 2024 at 23:59 (UTC) will not be considered for selection by the NomCom.

The NomCom will begin its review of candidate information contained in the completed Application shortly after it is received and confirmed to have all the required information.

The NomCom will evaluate Candidates in a fair and consistent manner, considering the application, references, interviews as needed, consultations, and third-party information sources. While doing so, it will adhere to the ICANN Nominating Committee Participation Agreement, which includes procedures regarding confidentiality and conflicts of interest.

To ensure open and frank communication with the NomCom, the Committee pays particular attention in the NomCom procedures to safeguarding confidentiality. Specifically, under the procedures, all NomCom delegates will safeguard all internal NomCom communications concerning candidates and treat them as strictly private, confidential, and for the use only by the NomCom delegates and ICANN staff who support the NomCom.

NomCom delegates will not disclose outside of the Committee the identities of candidates under consideration by the NomCom, nor any discussions about them, unless both the candidate and the NomCom as a whole have given explicit authorization to disclose the information. Nor will the NomCom disclose the identity of those who suggested candidates or whether a specific candidate has been suggested. For more information about the procedures NomCom delegates follow regarding security and confidentiality of information, please refer to the Code of Conduct agreed to by all NomCom delegates and the NomCom Procedures.

Note that because the NomCom will need to check references and consult selected third-party sources on a confidential basis before making its final selections, those wishing to be considered as Candidates are required to confirm this understanding of the confidentiality arrangements when they submit a candidate application form.

When the NomCom has completed its selections, it will publish the identities of the selectees. Statistical information, such as the size and nature of the candidate pool, will be published at the close of the process. No other personally identifiable information will be publicized.

Although the NomCom process differs from an election, the goal is the same: to elicit the Internet community's participation in a thoughtful process leading to the selection of very well-qualified individuals to fulfill the specific roles of their positions.

While considerable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and completeness of this invitation, the NomCom reserves the right to make additions and revisions if necessary. If any changes are made, they will be posted on the 2024 NomCom webpage . The webpage, including announcements and answers to frequently asked questions, will be updated as the Committee's work progresses.

Selecting References

Candidates must obtain prior consent from their references and notify them that they may be contacted to provide a reference as part of the NomCom 2024 selection process. Those agreeing to serve as references should know they will be asked by the NomCom to provide a reference and should understand the purpose of the reference and NomCom process. The NomCom recommends that candidates choose their references carefully, so the NomCom has a broad view of a candidate's experiences and abilities.

• Current NomCom delegates must not be included as references. See the NomCom homepage http://nomcom.icann.org/
• Current ICANN staff must not be included as references.

The NomCom will not consult as a reference anyone who is also a candidate under consideration for the same position. The NomCom encourages candidates to identify this issue for any potential references. Because of our confidentiality commitment, the NomCom will be unable to advise candidates about another person's presence in the candidate pool, therefore, the NomCom will not be able to tell the candidate whether any specific references are unusable. The NomCom will, however, encourage any references who are also applicants to consult with the affected candidates to identify a potential need to submit a replacement reference.

Due Diligence and Third-Party References

ICANN will employ a professional firm to conduct due diligence on selectees. Due diligence will be confidential and conducted according to global industry standards. In some circumstances, the NomCom may ask a third party for additional reference information under a condition of confidentiality.

Conflicts of Interest

Please refer to the ICANN Conflicts of Interest Policy. This document specifically addresses conflicts for ICANN Directors, Officers, and key employees, but should provide guidance for all ICANN leadership positions.