Digital Democracy Working Student (m/f/d)

Intern / Student, Part-time · Berlin

Background

Form of Employment: Part-time (max. 20 hours per week). Ideally the working student will spread these hours out over the course of four days / working week.
Starting Date: 1 February 2026
Application Deadline: 15th December 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: Berlin

Democracy 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’s Digital Democracy team works to protect and promote healthy democratic debate online. Through our offices and projects around the globe, we monitor the effects of social media and other evolving technologies on public discourse; engage with governments, experts, and tech companies for effective regulation; and train citizen groups on how to assess their local digital environment and debates.  Our work touches on issues such as information manipulation, hate speech, coordinated sharing behaviour, platform design, and algorithms. 

DRI is currently recruiting a part-time Digital Democracy Working Student for its Headquarters in Berlin. In collaboration with the Digital Democracy Policy Officer, you will provide support to our digital policy priorities and work packages in EU and globally, including platform accountability and regulation, AI regulation, and other global trends in digital advocacy.

Your tasks

Overall support in monitoring EU policy developments and events relevant to DRI’s advocacy agenda;
Conduct background and desk research on digital policy and regulatory developments in the EU and member States, and in the projects implemented by DRI globally;
Prepare advocacy materials, including short briefs, summaries of policy documents, slide decks, briefing notes, communications materials, etc.
Contribute to drafting sections of DRI policy reports and concept notes;
Assist in planning and executing policy-relevant projects, events and workshops;
Collect data and change stories to inform our MEL framework (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning)
Other relevant duties, as required.

Your skills and experience

Degree-level qualification in international relations, communications sciences, public policy, political science, law and other relevant fields
Student status: enrolled in university in Germany throughout the whole duration of employment
Working permit for Germany, if you are a foreign student
Work experience in an office setting, ideally for an NGO
Previous experience with the tasks outlined for this position
ICT skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
Ability to be flexible, well-organised, and self-sufficient 
Great written and verbal communication skills, with a diplomatic touch
Ability to work as part of a culturally diverse team
Full professional fluency in English

Preferred:

Knowledge of platform community guidelines and EU digital regulation (Digital Services Act, AI Act)
Knowledge of additional languages (German, French) is a distinct asset.

What we offer

DRI offers you: 

Flexible working hours  
Hybrid work model (depending on the role/team)
A contribution to public transport (company ticket with BVG) 
Training for every employee 
Comprehensive onboarding to help you settle easily and familiarize 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.

Application Instructions

If 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: 15 December 2025. The position may be closed before the deadline has been reached, so early applications are encouraged.

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.

Please note that we can only accept applications via this form, not via email.