UNPAID VOLUNTEER - Technical Officer - Standards Specialist

Digital Technology Institute for Development (DTID)

3d•Remote

About The Position

The Digital Technology Institute for Development (DTID) is an international non-profit institute advancing the responsible use of artificial intelligence, blockchain and emerging digital technologies to support sustainable development and policy implementation. DTID brings together professionals, researchers, technology specialists and other stakeholders to generate research, develop practical solutions, strengthen partnerships and support informed decision-making at the intersection of technology, climate change and sustainable development. DTID is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Technical Officer – Standards Specialist to support the organisation in identifying, interpreting and applying relevant international standards and recognised good-practice frameworks. The successful candidate will contribute to DTID's work on standards relating to quality management, information security, risk management, sustainability, environmental management, governance, data management and emerging technologies. The role will involve conducting research, reviewing relevant standards, supporting standards gap assessments, developing guidance and contributing to the integration of recognised standards into DTID's policies, projects, technical activities and internal processes. This role requires strong analytical capability, attention to detail, sound professional judgement and the ability to translate complex standards into clear and practical organisational requirements.

Requirements

Excellent written and spoken English.
Strong analytical and research skills.
Ability to interpret technical standards, frameworks and complex guidance.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to translate technical standards into practical organisational requirements.
Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Excellent organisational and documentation skills.
Ability to identify gaps, risks and opportunities for improvement.
Ability to prepare clear technical reports, guidance and presentations.
Strong professional communication and stakeholder-management skills.
Ability to communicate technical requirements to technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to work independently and take initiative.
Ability to manage competing priorities and meet agreed deadlines.
Ability to collaborate effectively within a remote and internationally distributed team.
A proactive, reliable and solutions-focused approach to work.
Professional proficiency in English.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge or experience in one or more of the following areas: International standards and recognised good-practice frameworks, Quality-management systems and standards, Information-security management, Risk-management standards and frameworks, Environmental and sustainability-management standards, Governance and compliance frameworks, Data governance and information-management standards, Technology governance and digital-management frameworks, Certification, accreditation and conformity-assessment processes, Standards implementation, gap assessment and continuous improvement.
Knowledge or experience relating to one or more of the following would be particularly advantageous: ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems, ISO/IEC 27001 – Information Security Management Systems, ISO 31000 – Risk Management, ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems, ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems, ISO 22301 – Business Continuity Management Systems, ISO 37001 – Anti-Bribery Management Systems, ISO 37301 – Compliance Management Systems.
Knowledge of standards-setting organisations such as ISO, IEC, ITU, IEEE, BSI or equivalent national and international bodies would also be advantageous.
Candidates are not expected to be specialists in every standards area but should demonstrate a sound understanding of how recognised standards can be applied within organisational, technical or professional environments.
Knowledge or interest in climate change, sustainability, international development, artificial intelligence, blockchain and emerging digital technologies would also be advantageous.
Relevant professional qualifications or specialist training in ISO standards, quality management, auditing, risk management, information security, governance or compliance would be advantageous.
These may include: ISO Lead Auditor or Lead Implementer training, Quality-management certification, Risk-management qualifications, Information-security qualifications, Governance, compliance or assurance certifications.
Equivalent professional experience, specialist training or demonstrated capability may also be considered where appropriate.
Knowledge of an additional international language would be advantageous.
Experience within an international organisation, standards body, certification organisation, consulting environment, think tank, nonprofit organisation, research institution, technology organisation, climate or sustainability-focused organisation would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

Research and interpret relevant international and industry standards applicable to DTID's activities.
Support the application of recognised standards and good practice across DTID policies, projects and technical initiatives.
Conduct standards gap assessments and identify opportunities for improvement.
Develop guidance, checklists, compliance matrices and technical reference materials.
Review policies, procedures and technical documentation for alignment with relevant standards.
Support quality-management, risk-management, information-security, sustainability and governance initiatives.
Monitor developments in international standards and relevant certification frameworks.
Prepare technical reports, briefing papers, presentations and standards-related documentation.
Collaborate with technical, research, policy and operational teams across DTID.
Engage with relevant standards bodies, professional associations and external specialists where appropriate.
Support standards awareness, knowledge-sharing and training activities within DTID.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of DTID's standards, quality and governance practices.

Benefits

Gain practical experience within an international, volunteer-led organisation.
Apply and strengthen knowledge of international standards and quality frameworks.
Contribute to the development of institutional standards, governance and quality-management systems.
Develop experience working within a fully remote and globally distributed team.
Strengthen technical research, governance, risk and quality-management skills.
Contribute to research and publications relating to standards and emerging technologies.
Collaborate with professionals from different countries, sectors and disciplines.
Build international professional networks and long-term professional relationships.
Gain exposure to climate change, sustainability, international development and emerging technologies.
Contribute directly to DTID's mission and institutional development.