Research Officer (m/f/d)

Permanent employee, Full-time · Berlin

Background

Form of Employment: Full-time
Starting Date: As soon as possible
Contract Duration: initially 2 years, with the possibility of extension.
Location: Berlin
Application Deadline: 24 August 2025
* Please note that this position may be closed earlier than the deadline if a certain number of applications are received; therefore, early applications are encouraged.

Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is a non-partisan, independent, not-for-profit organisation registered in Berlin. DRI promotes the political participation of citizens, accountability of state bodies, and the development of democratic institutions worldwide.

DRI’s Europe team works on democracy-related issues across the EU, its neighbours and accession countries. Thematically, our work centres on enabling public participation, protecting the rule of law, strengthening local governance, reducing polarisation, and promoting democratic innovation. The team is also closely collaborating with DRI’s digital democracy unit, which deals with issues of political disinformation, hate speech, algorithms, and platform design in the region.

DRI is engaged in several key projects related to the rule of law, human rights and judiciary in Europe. These include work on promoting the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, strengthening strategic litigation on the rule of law and fundamental rights and supporting the accession process of countries wishing to join the EU. We are implementing our flagship ‘re:constitution: Exchange and Analysis on Democracy and the Rule of Law in Europe’ programme, aimed at facilitating a fact-based debate around topical questions on the rule of law across the European Union, by providing timely and relevant analyses aimed at supporting policymakers and journalists in shaping the discourse on the rule of law.

To expand its research and analysis capability, DRI is looking for a full-time Research Officer for our head office in Berlin. This position is subject to the expected approval of funding.
The prospective candidate should have a strong knowledge of EU law and public law in EU Member States, ideally with a particular focus on matters related to the judiciary; strong communication skills (especially in communicating legal issues to a non-specialist audience), good command of social media and experience in engaging with journalists and policymakers. The person should also be a team player, ready to take the initiative and enjoy working in a diverse, multi-cultural setting.

Your work will help us strengthen the public debate on the rule of law in the EU, and you’ll have plenty of chances to contribute to our other projects carried out in Europe, as well as to contribute to pursuing new opportunities and develop new initiatives.

Your tasks

Under the supervision of the Research Coordinator and in close coordination with the relevant programme managers, you will:

Monitor legal and political developments related to the rule of law in Europe, with a particular focus on Western European EU member states, such as topical debates, legal reforms, landmark court cases or administrative proceedings;
Suggest thematic areas for deeper research and reporting;
Draft, review, finalise, and conceptualise diverse project outputs: analytical pieces, explainers, fact sheets, infographics, short videos, etc.;
Work with our Communications Team on shaping project outputs and delivering them to target audiences;
Give interviews to journalists, represent DRI at meetings, seminars and conferences;
Engage with policymakers from EU institutions, international organisations, Member State governments and other authorities;
Work on relevant outputs with external research partners and contributors, including re:constitution programme fellows;
Provide capacity building in the form of training, workshops and other educational activities;
Be ready to travel, in exceptional cases also on weekends;
Contribute to the broader work of the programme team as required.

Your skills and experience

Required:

Advanced law degree, ideally in EU law, public law, constitutional law or a similar field
At least 3 years of legal experience through research or practice
Deep knowledge of the current state of the rule of law in the EU
Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal matters to a non-specialist, non-academic audience
Demonstrated understanding of gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and the ability to mainstream these in project activities and result areas
A proactive approach to tasks, flexible, organised, and self-sufficient
Ability to work in an international multi-cultural setting
Complete professional fluency in English and at least one other official language of the EU

Preferred: (optional)

Prior professional focus on the rule of law or the judiciary
Social media presence or interest in having one
Previous experience of writing for a non-academic audience
Some experience in delivering participatory training/ teaching
Fundraising experience, including with EU-funded research
Quantitative analysis skills and knowledge of relevant tools, such as statistical computing software, databases etc.
Knowledge of French, Spanish, Hungarian or Romanian

What we offer

DRI 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 familiarise yourself with DRI
Regular team events (yearly retreat, BBQ, etc.)
Opportunity to work in a diverse team in the heart of Berlin, where everybody is on first-name terms with each other.
Budget for educational activities and self-growth (750 EUR)

Application Instructions

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application (CV, cover letter, and two writing samples) here.

Please provide two writing samples, in English, each no longer than five pages or 3000 words, on topics related to the rule of law in the EU (this can be a fragment of a bigger publication, or a blog post/policy brief/op-ed, etc.)

Closing date for applications: 24 August 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 41.250 – 45.600 € (depending on former relevant experience).

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.

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. .

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About us

Organisation responsible for this vacancy:

Democracy Reporting International gGmbH

Elbestr. 28 / 29 12045 Berlin, Germany

Data processing of personal data in third countries will not take place. We process your data in accordance with the provisions of § 26 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.

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We look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you for your interest in Democracy Reporting International. Please fill out the following short form in order to submit your application.

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