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 Program Manager (TPM) to oversee the design and implementation of the Program. The TPM will report to the Senior Director of Platforms & Services and manage the Core Mobile Services Aggregator Program.
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 U.S. work authorization.
- Build and maintain a coalition of participating mobile service aggregator businesses, technology vendors, and MNOs
- Guide the program’s Technical Lead to develop work plans and roadmaps to achieve standards agreements and publications of standards
- Guide the Technical Lead’s efforts to select and distribute of grants in support of standards reference implementations
- Provide functional and architecture feedback on developed standards
- Organize and facilitate standards working sessions—both online and in person
- Develop geographic roll-out plan for aggregator nodes to enable replicability and applicability for scaling
- Develop financial incentives for the establishment of aggregator nodes in key markets, working with consultants as needed
- 5+ years experience working with mobile operators in emerging markets or MNO service partners such as VAS providers
- 5+ years experience in program and/or product management; preferably in telecommunications and digital services in developing markets
- 5+ years business development experience; preferably in telecommunications and digital services in developing markets
- A track record of successful deployment of large scale voice, SMS and USSD services
- 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
- Ability to develop and manage work plans and deliver to schedule
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.