Digital Democracy Research Coordinator (m/f/d)

BackgroundForm of Employment: Full-timeStarting Date: As soon as possibleApplication Deadline: 12.12.2025 Please note that this position may be closed earlier than the deadline if a certain number of applications is received therefore early applications are encouraged.Contract Duration: limited to one year, with the possibility of extension.Location: BerlinDemocracy Reporting International (DRI) is a non-partisan, independent, not-for-profit organisation registered in Berlin with several country offices worldwide. DRI promotes political participation of citizens, accountability of state bodies, and the development of democratic institutions worldwide.DRI is currently recruiting a full-time Digital Democracy Research Coordinator for its Headquarters in Berlin. In collaboration with, and under the overall supervision of the Manager of the Digital Democracy programme, you will shape DRI’s work on examining online political discourse, as well as auditing AI technology for its impact on information integrity. In this role, you will collaborate and coordinate with the Manager of the Digital Democracy programme, the Executive Director, and the Digital Democracy Team as well as different teams in DRI HQ in Berlin and DRI Country Offices and beyond. You will design and implement projects and think-tank style research to gain insights and analyse the use of social media and technology for mis/disinformation, hate speech and other digital risks during elections and other salient political events.   Your tasks Act as the technical focal point for DRI’s online monitoring work and, together with theDigital Democracy team, provide colleagues at HQ and country offices with technical supportfor implementing digital democracy activities in their areas; Coordinate research outputs and other associated activities in collaboration with andsupervising other digital democracy researchers Further develop and implement DRI’s actionable research approach to generate evidence forthe enforcement of digital regulation (Digital Services Act, AI Act); Develop and update innovative research methodologies for collecting and analysing socialmedia and other public data and adapt these methods to DRI’s areas of work, such as theauditing of AI tools or electoral monitoring; Keep track of and map emerging technologies, most prominently artificial intelligence, andunderstand its policy implications; Pro-actively design, develop and implement activities to monitor and analyse political onlinediscourse, especially during electoral processes; Analyse findings, provide contextual analysis, draft, and contribute to reports for publicationin line with project timelines; Contribute to fundraising efforts by writing project proposals and concept notes andidentifying and pitching project ideas to donors; Design and facilitate events and workshops on areas relevant to DRI; Participate in conferences, trainings and expert working groups on behalf of DRI, includingbusiness trips outside Germany; Collaborate with programmatic, policy and research colleagues to ensuring adherence toproject implementation requirements, donor deliverables and deadlines; Establish and maintain partnerships with researchers, academia, technology companies, dataanalysts, journalists or other civil society groups working on civic tech initiatives; Other relevant duties, as required.RequiredYour skills and experience Degree-level qualification in political science, or related fields; Four or more years of relevant experience in social media research, digital democracy andelection monitoring; Understanding of issues surrounding online disinformation, polarisation, online hate speech,foreign interference, information integrity, democratic debate and/or related topics; Advanced knowledge of Python for data collection, processing, analysis, and visualisation; Experience and knowledge of political communication and data analysis; Experience and knowledge of methodologies of social media monitoring/listening, includingonline analytical tools and approaches; Experience in data gathering and quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis as well asstructuring investigations; Strong understanding of emerging technologies with a particular focus on the evolution ofgenerative AI and natural language processing and how these technologies can be used (forgood) and abused. Experience in supervising and providing guidance to other colleagues to support project andresearch objectives Complex analytical and critical thinking skills; Strong written and oral communication skills; Ability to work as part of a diverse team; Fluency in written and spoken English; Working permit for GermanyPreferred Data visualisation and mapping skills, including experience with tools such as Tableau, Gephi,Datawrapper, Flourish or Infogram; Strong understanding of LLM agentic workflow integration Knowledge of additional languages will be considered an asset (Germany, French andespecially those of DRI countries of operation).What We OfferDRI offers you: Flexible working hours  Hybrid work model (depending on the role/team)30 days of annual leave A contribution to public transport (company ticket with BVG) Vocational training for every employee Comprehensive onboarding to help you settle easily and familiarize yourself with DRI Regular team events (yearly retreat, BBQ, etc.) Application InstructionsIf you are interested in this position, please submit your application (cover letter and CV) here. This position is subject to funding. Applying for this position by post mail is possible, please find our address details below.Closing date for applications: 12 December 2025. The position may be closed before the deadline has been reached, so early applications are encouraged.In the interest of transparency, the salary band for this position is 47,850 - 52,200 € (depending on former relevant experience).DRI is committed to diversity and treats everybody equally, independent of gender identity, sex, pregnancy, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, age, ability, socio-economic status, political opinion (as long as respectful of democratic principles), or any other status protected by the laws in the locations where we operate.Organisation responsible for this vacancy:Democracy Reporting International gGmbHElbestr. 28 / 2912045 Berlin, GermanyData processing of personal data in third countries will not take place. We process your data in accordance with the provisions of26 German Federal Data Protection Act. More information about processing your personal data: privacy policy .About UsOrganisation responsible for this vacancy:Democracy Reporting International gGmbHElbestr. 28 / 29 12045 Berlin, GermanyData processing of personal data in third countries will not take place. We process your data in accordance with the provisions of26 German Federal Data Protection Act. More information about processing your personal data: Privacy Policy.Please note that a criminal background check will be required toward the final stages of the recruitment process, should we decide to proceed with an offer of employment. The costs will be covered by DRI once the candidate is hired.Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is an international, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization committed to political participation and democratic governance around the world. DRI headquarters (HQ) is located in Berlin; DRI has country offices in Tunisia, Lebanon, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine, and works with local partners in a number of other countries. The working language is English.