DIAL Overview:

DIAL is a new, $55 million global alliance to enable the digital ecosystem to deliver greater scale, efficiency and social impact as it creates more inclusive digital economies in emerging markets. Working with partners, DIAL will generate evidence of what works through a series of demonstration projects, distil insights and tools to promote scale-up and replication, and provide mechanisms to encourage knowledge sharing, collaboration and co-investment throughout the ecosystem.          
 

Core Mobile Services Aggregator Program

In emerging markets, many digital services are delivered through core mobile service (CMS) channels—voice, SMS, and USSD. Accessing these services requires relationships and technical integration with mobile network operators (MNOs). Establishing these partnership agreements and delivering the technical integrations can be slow and time-consuming, creating barriers to efficiently and effectively delivering new mobile services at scale.

In this environment, aggregators—companies that establish intermediary relationships and provide integration with multiple MNOs—play a critical role in reducing the barrier to service delivery of new mobile services, providing digital service providers (e.g., NGOs, companies) with a low-friction single-point-of-connection. This enables a faster time to market in any given country.

DIAL's CMS Aggregator Program will reduce the barrier for service providers by stimulating new aggregators to enter the market. We do this by working across digital service providers to aggregate demand for common technical standards and establishing viable business models that benefit all.

DIAL is seeking a Technical Lead to drive the development of a comprehensive set of aggregator service APIs and standards, and to catalyze the adoption of these standards among providers of core mobile service aggregation services. The Technical Lead will report to the Technical Program Manager of the Aggregator Program.

The standards development process will be: driven from a clear understanding of aggregator customer needs, transparent, and open to participation of any and all interested parties.

DIAL is a donor-funded program hosted within the UN Foundation, and is based in the UN Foundation’s Washington, D.C. office. The incumbent will be an employee of the UN Foundation. All candidates must have prior US work authorization.

• Design and implement an inclusive standards process by: convening aggregator businesses, clients of aggregator services, and other interested parties including MNOs and platform developers/vendors; jointly developing functional and technical requirements; researching and adopting applicable existing standards; extending existing standards and developing new ones to fill gaps
• Organize and facilitate standards working sessions—both online and in person
• Manage the standards creation process to timely deliverables (initial standards and revisions)
• Distribute grants to catalyze the development of open source reference implementations of key standards
• Work with the Technical Program Manager to oversee selection and distribution of grants in support of standards implementation in target countries

• A track record of successful design and deployment of large scale voice, SMS and USSD services; experience in emerging markets
• 5+ years software development experience
• 2-3 years managing software vendors
• Extensive experience with core mobile service related protocols such as VoIP protocols, SMPP, and vendor proprietary protocols
• Track record of active participation in standards development—formal and community developed
• Experience with agile software development methodologies, open-source technology and communities, and user-centered design methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse set of stakeholders, with diverse motivations, to achieve consensus, and still deliver actionable outcomes
• Entrepreneurial, with a talent for creative problem solving, perseverance, flexibility and resilience. Able to thrive in environments of ambiguity and enjoys being a thought partner on new ventures.
• Fun, friendly and excited to collaborate with teams
• Ability to work under pressure and handle stress.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and thoughtfully across a diverse set of partners and audiences across multiple geographies and sectors

This is a unique full-time direct-hire opportunity to work at the cutting edge of technology and international development. This team is based in Washington, DC, and applicants should demonstrate a willingness to commit to, and enthusiasm for traveling to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) up to 50% of the time. The team will consider applicants living outside of the DC area who are interested in relocating to join the team, as well as individuals interested in working remotely from high-tech hubs including Seattle, San Francisco, New York City, or Portland. 

For full-time employees we offer an excellent range of benefits, including a choice of two health plans through CareFirst (PPO or HDHP). Dental insurance, vision discount plan, Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Long-Term Care Insurance, Health Club Discounts, Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance Program and Warby Parker discounts.

12 Paid holidays, 4 weeks of vacation, 10 sick days, 3 personal days and 8 weeks of parental leave (mother or father).  Access to the UNFCU Credit Union, 150% match on our 403b retirement plan, Flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts and discounted Zipcar membership.