UNPAID VOLUNTEER - COP31 Communications Champion (Türkiye-based)

Role Title: Senior COP31 Representative
Location: Türkiye-based / Attendance at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye
Reporting To: Director-General

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 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 successful candidate will ensure that DTID has a clear and credible institutional presence before, during and immediately after COP31.

The representative will be expected to develop a strong understanding of DTID's work and priorities, represent the organisation confidently in external engagements, develop relevant institutional relationships, identify opportunities for DTID participation and provide timely intelligence on developments relevant to the organisation.

The role goes beyond conference attendance. The Senior COP31 Representative will be responsible for helping convert DTID's presence at COP31 into meaningful institutional relationships, speaking opportunities, partnership discussions and actionable opportunities for the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior COP31 Representative will:

• Develop a pre-COP31 engagement plan identifying priority organisations, institutions, delegations, events and individuals.
• Coordinate with DTID leadership to establish clear objectives and priorities for COP31.
• Represent DTID officially 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 private-sector stakeholders relevant to DTID's work.
• Brief DTID leadership on significant COP31 developments, discussions and opportunities relevant to the organisation.
• Coordinate with the Communications Division on announcements, media opportunities 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.

Skills and Abilities

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong diplomatic and professional communication skills.
• Confidence representing an organisation in senior-level external meetings.
• Strong networking and relationship-management capability.
• Excellent 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 and take initiative.
• Strong written reporting, briefing and analytical skills.
• Ability to identify and develop institutional opportunities.
• Ability to manage multiple engagements and competing priorities during a major international conference.
• A proactive, reliable and solutions-focused approach to work.

General and Specialist Knowledge

Candidates should have knowledge or experience in:

• International climate policy and negotiations.
• The institutional environment surrounding the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• Climate change and sustainability policy.
• International development and multilateral engagement.
• International conferences and high-level stakeholder engagement.
• Government and institutional relationship management.
• Climate diplomacy and international policy developments.

Knowledge of artificial intelligence, blockchain, emerging digital technologies and their potential contribution to sustainable development and climate action would be advantageous.

Education and Training

Candidates should preferably possess:

• 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.

Relevant professional qualifications or specialist training in climate policy, diplomacy, international affairs or sustainable development would be advantageous.

Equivalent professional experience and demonstrated capability may also be considered where appropriate.

• Professional proficiency in English.

Knowledge of Turkish or another international language would be advantageous.

Experience

Candidates should ideally demonstrate:

• Senior-level professional experience in climate policy, international affairs, sustainability, international development or related institutional work.
• Previous participation in COP conferences, UN conferences or comparable international forums.
• Experience representing an organisation in senior external engagements.
• Existing professional relationships across relevant climate and international-development institutions.
• Experience building and maintaining institutional partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
• Strong understanding of international climate discussions and the institutional environment surrounding the UNFCCC.
• Experience preparing senior-level reports, briefings and recommendations.
• Experience working independently and taking responsibility for high-profile external engagements.

Previous participation in UNFCCC Conferences of the Parties or comparable international climate forums would be strongly advantageous.

Candidates must be available to travel to Antalya, Türkiye, for COP31.

What Difference Will You Make?

COP31 provides an important opportunity for DTID to strengthen its international presence, develop strategic relationships and contribute to discussions at the intersection of climate action, sustainable development and emerging digital technologies.

As Senior COP31 Representative, you will help ensure that DTID's participation generates meaningful institutional value before, during and after the conference.

Your contribution will help strengthen DTID's international visibility, strategic relationships, partnership opportunities, speaking engagements and understanding of developments relevant to its work.

Benefits

What Will You Gain from Working with DTID?

This appointment provides opportunities to:

• Represent an international institute at a major global climate conference.
• Strengthen high-level international stakeholder and institutional engagement experience.
• Build relationships with governments, multilateral organisations, research institutions, foundations and private-sector actors.
• Gain exposure to emerging discussions at the intersection of climate action, sustainable development and digital technology.
• Contribute directly to DTID's international engagement and institutional development.
• Strengthen strategic networking, representation, reporting and relationship-management skills.
• Develop international professional networks and long-term institutional relationships.

Selection Process

DTID is committed to identifying talented individuals with both demonstrated expertise and strong potential.

Applications will be considered on the basis of demonstrated capability, relevant experience, institutional networks, stakeholder-management skills and suitability to represent DTID at a major international forum.

The selection process will normally include:

1. Application screening
2. Written or technical assessment
3. Interview and/or technical discussion for shortlisted candidates
4. Final selection and onboarding

Candidates who successfully complete the assessment stage will be invited to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.