UNPAID VOLUNTEER - Senior COP31 Representative (Türkiye-based)

Digital Technology Institute for Development (DTID) • New York, NY

7d • Onsite

About The Position

DTID is seeking an experienced and well-connected Senior COP31 Representative to support the organisation’s preparation for COP31, represent DTID during the conference, and coordinate structured post-COP follow-up. The role is Türkiye-based and includes attendance at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye. Reporting to the Director-General, the representative will develop a strong understanding of DTID’s work and priorities, represent the organisation in external engagements, build institutional relationships, identify participation opportunities, and provide timely intelligence on relevant developments. The role aims to turn DTID’s COP31 presence into meaningful relationships, speaking opportunities, partnership discussions, and actionable opportunities for the organisation.

The representative will prepare an engagement plan, coordinate priorities with DTID leadership, attend relevant meetings and events, and pursue opportunities for DTID representatives and experts to participate in panels and other events. They will build relationships with relevant stakeholders, brief leadership, coordinate with the Communications Division, maintain records of engagements and commitments, prepare a post-COP report, and lead initial follow-up with priority contacts before transitioning ongoing relationships to the appropriate DTID teams.

This is an unpaid volunteer appointment. DTID describes the role as an opportunity to represent an international institute at a major global climate conference, develop high-level stakeholder-engagement experience and professional networks, and contribute to the organisation’s international engagement and institutional development.

Requirements

• Excellent written and spoken English; professional proficiency in English.
• Strong diplomatic and professional communication skills.
• Confidence representing an organisation in senior-level external meetings.
• Strong networking, relationship-management, and stakeholder-engagement skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with government, multilateral, nonprofit, academic, and private-sector stakeholders.
• Strong judgement and professionalism in complex international environments.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and take responsibility for high-profile external engagements.
• Strong written reporting, briefing, and analytical skills.
• Ability to identify and develop institutional opportunities and manage multiple engagements and competing priorities during a major international conference.
• A proactive, reliable, and solutions-focused approach.
• Knowledge or experience in international climate policy and negotiations, the UNFCCC institutional environment, climate change and sustainability policy, international development and multilateral engagement, international conferences and high-level stakeholder engagement, government and institutional relationship management, or climate diplomacy and international policy developments.
• Candidates should ideally demonstrate senior-level professional experience in climate policy, international affairs, sustainability, international development, or related institutional work.
• Candidates should ideally have experience representing an organisation in senior external engagements, building and maintaining institutional partnerships and stakeholder relationships, preparing senior-level reports and recommendations, and a strong understanding of international climate discussions and the UNFCCC environment.
• Candidates must be available to travel to Antalya, Türkiye, for COP31.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of artificial intelligence, blockchain, emerging digital technologies, and their potential contribution to sustainable development and climate action.
• A Bachelor's or Master's degree, or equivalent qualification, in International Relations, Climate Policy, Environmental Policy, Sustainability, International Development, Public Policy, Political Science, or another relevant discipline; equivalent professional experience and demonstrated capability may also be considered.
• Relevant professional qualifications or specialist training in climate policy, diplomacy, international affairs, or sustainable development.
• Knowledge of Turkish or another international language.
• Previous participation in COP conferences, UN conferences, or comparable international forums.
• Existing professional relationships across relevant climate and international-development institutions.
• Previous participation in UNFCCC Conferences of the Parties or comparable international climate forums is strongly advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop a pre-COP31 engagement plan identifying priority organisations, institutions, delegations, events, and individuals.
• Coordinate with DTID leadership to establish clear COP31 objectives and priorities.
• Represent DTID at relevant meetings, events, panels, receptions, and bilateral discussions.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for DTID representatives and experts to participate in panels, roundtables, interviews, and related events.
• Build and maintain relationships with governments, multilateral organisations, NGOs, research institutions, foundations, and relevant private-sector stakeholders.
• Brief DTID leadership on significant COP31 developments, discussions, and opportunities.
• Coordinate with the Communications Division on announcements, media opportunities, photography, and public communications arising from COP31.
• Maintain structured records of meetings, contacts, commitments, and required follow-up.
• Prepare a post-COP31 report identifying relevant developments, relationships, and opportunities for DTID.
• Lead initial follow-up with priority contacts and transition ongoing relationships to the appropriate DTID teams.

Benefits

• Opportunity to represent an international institute at a major global climate conference.
• Opportunity to strengthen high-level international stakeholder and institutional engagement experience.
• Opportunity to build relationships with governments, multilateral organisations, research institutions, foundations, and private-sector actors.
• Exposure to emerging discussions at the intersection of climate action, sustainable development, and digital technology.
• Opportunity to contribute directly to DTID’s international engagement and institutional development.
• Opportunity to strengthen strategic networking, representation, reporting, and relationship-management skills.
• Opportunity to develop international professional networks and long-term institutional relationships.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed