UNPAID VOLUNTEER - Deputy / Assistant Chief of Staff

About DTID

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.

The Role

DTID is seeking an experienced, highly organised and strategically minded Deputy Chief of Staff to support the Director-General’s Office in coordinating institutional priorities, strengthening cross-divisional collaboration and ensuring effective implementation of senior management decisions.

Working closely with the Chief of Staff and Director-General, the Deputy Chief of Staff will help translate strategic priorities into clear actions, monitor implementation across DTID, coordinate complex institutional initiatives and provide senior leadership with timely analysis, briefings and recommendations. The role sits at the intersection of strategy, operations, executive coordination and organisational implementation.

The successful candidate will work closely with Directors, Heads of Division and other senior colleagues to ensure that major projects and priorities remain on track, risks and delays are identified early, and agreed actions are followed through effectively.

The Deputy Chief of Staff may also lead selected organisational initiatives, support senior-level engagements and deputise for the Chief of Staff on specific matters where authorised.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Chief of Staff and Director-General in implementing DTID’s strategic and institutional priorities.
• Lead and coordinate selected cross-divisional projects and organisation-wide initiatives.
• Translate senior management decisions into clear actions, responsibilities, timelines and follow-up arrangements.
• Monitor implementation of agreed priorities and identify delays, risks, dependencies and matters requiring escalation.
• Prepare executive briefings, decision papers, reports, presentations and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Coordinate information and updates from Divisions for the Director-General’s Office.
• Support preparation, coordination and follow-up of Executive Committee and senior leadership meetings.
• Work with Directors and Heads of Division to resolve implementation challenges and strengthen organisational coordination.
• Support institutional planning, performance monitoring and organisational review processes.
• Lead selected organisational improvement, transformation or special projects.
• Conduct research and analysis to support executive decision-making.
• Support senior-level internal and external engagements where required.
• Maintain oversight of assigned action trackers, strategic priorities and institutional commitments.
• Support effective communication between the Director-General’s Office and DTID Divisions.
• Deputise for the Chief of Staff on selected responsibilities and meetings where authorised.
• Handle sensitive organisational and executive information with appropriate discretion and confidentiality.

Skills and Abilities

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong strategic and analytical thinking.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation capability.
• Strong executive judgement and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to understand complex organisational issues quickly and identify practical solutions.
• Excellent written briefing, report-writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate confidently with senior executives and professional stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple teams and workstreams.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail while maintaining a wider strategic perspective.
• Ability to identify organisational risks and determine when escalation is required.
• High standards of discretion, confidentiality and professional integrity.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of significant responsibilities.
• Ability to operate effectively in an internationally distributed and fully remote organisation.
• A proactive, adaptable and solutions-focused approach to work.

General and Specialist Knowledge

Candidates should have knowledge or experience in several of the following areas:

• Strategic planning and implementation.
• Executive management and senior leadership support.
• Organisational operations.
• Programme and project management.
• Organisational development.
• Performance monitoring and reporting.
• Governance and institutional management.
• Business process improvement.
• Risk identification and management.
• Executive reporting and briefing.
• Cross-functional coordination.
• Stakeholder management.
• International development or nonprofit management.
• Knowledge of artificial intelligence, emerging digital technologies, climate change, sustainability, international development or public policy would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint is expected.
• Experience using project-management, workflow, dashboard or data-analysis platforms would also be advantageous.

Education and Training

Candidates should preferably possess:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Strategic Management, International Relations, Public Policy, Economics, International Development, Management, Pr