[Hiring] Technical Officer - Standards Specialist @Digital Technology Institute for Development (DTID)

Role Description

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
• 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.

Qualifications

• 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

Requirements

• 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.
• Knowledge or interest in climate change, sustainability, international development, artificial intelligence, blockchain and emerging digital technologies would also be advantageous.

Education and Training

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree, diploma or equivalent qualification in:
• Engineering
• Information Technology
• Quality Management
• Business Management
• Risk Management
• Environmental Management
• Sustainability
• Governance
• Compliance
• Another relevant discipline
• Relevant professional qualifications or specialist training in ISO standards, quality management, auditing, risk management, information security, governance or compliance would be advantageous.
• Professional proficiency in English.
• Knowledge of an additional international language would be advantageous.

Experience

• Professional experience working with international standards, quality systems, governance, compliance, risk or assurance frameworks
• Experience interpreting or applying ISO or comparable standards
• Experience supporting standards assessments, audits, gap analyses or readiness reviews
• Experience developing policies, procedures, frameworks or technical guidance
• Experience contributing to quality, governance, compliance or standards-related initiatives
• Experience working independently and taking responsibility for assigned deliverables
• Experience collaborating across multidisciplinary teams or organisational functions
• Experience communicating technical or standards-related information to different stakeholder groups
• 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.

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

Selection Process

• Application screening
• Written or technical assessment
• Interview and/or technical discussion for shortlisted candidates
• Final selection and onboarding

DTID is committed to identifying talented individuals with both demonstrated expertise and strong potential. As a volunteer-led organisation, DTID recognises that candidates may have acquired their skills through different professional, academic or practical pathways. Applications may therefore be considered on the basis of demonstrated capability, relevant experience, transferable skills and potential.

Important Notice: This is an unpaid volunteer position.