Unpaid Volunteer - Director of Legal Research

About the role

The Digital Technology Institute for Development (DTID) is an international non-profit advancing the responsible use of AI, blockchain and emerging digital technologies for sustainable development and policy. It seeks an accomplished Director of Legal Research to provide strategic and academic leadership to its legal research activities. The role is home-based and remote, reporting to the Director-General, and is open to experienced legal scholars or academic legal researchers with a strong record of substantive legal research.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the legal research agenda across technology law, climate law, environmental governance and related areas.
• Supervise Legal Research Officers and give academic, technical and strategic guidance on research projects.
• Develop and oversee legal research, publications, policy papers, briefing notes and other outputs.
• Identify priority research questions at the intersection of emerging digital technologies, climate policy and sustainable development.
• Build research and knowledge partnerships with universities, governments, international organisations and others.
• Review and approve research outputs for academic quality, accuracy and policy relevance.
• Translate complex legal research into practical insights for policymakers, legislators and climate negotiators.
• Contribute to conferences, webinars, policy forums, briefings and research proposals, and help plan the institute's research strategy.

Required profile

• PhD in Law or a closely related discipline, or an equivalent advanced qualification with an exceptional record of substantive legal research and publication.
• Significant experience developing and managing academic legal research projects and leading multidisciplinary research.
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications, books, book chapters or research reports.
• Experience supervising researchers, building research collaborations and engaging policymakers and international organisations.
• Substantial expertise in at least one field such as technology law, climate law, international law or digital governance; knowledge of UNFCCC processes is advantageous.

Required skills

• Excellent written and spoken English; proficiency in Microsoft Office and legal research tools is expected.
• Academic legal research, analytical and strategic leadership skills.
• Ability to lead and mentor researchers and to work independently in a remote, internationally distributed setting.