Job opening: Senior Policy & Advocacy Advisor

AlgorithmWatch is the leading civil society organization in the field of social impact of automated decision-making (ADM) and AI-based systems. Our goal is to protect peoples’ rights and strengthen the common good in the face of increased use of algorithmic systems. Learn more about our mission, policy positions, and activities.

• Initial contract for 2 years and 30-40 h per week; extension intended
• 45.000 to 51.000 Euros gross salary (for details see further down)
• Deadline for applications: Monday, 30 August 2021 at 12 noon CEST
• Earliest starting date: 15 September 2021

AlgorithmWatch is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of our hiring and promotion process. We feel that the mission to appropriately govern algorithmic systems benefits from a diversity of perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons and strongly encourage minorities to apply. We hope we have succeeded in designing a recruitment process that will be inclusive. In case you think we are falling short on this aspiration we would appreciate your feedback.

Your Role

As Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor, you co-develop and implement our overall policy and advocacy strategy in close coordination with our Team Lead Policy and Advocacy and our existing policy team, the PR and Outreach team, and the executive management.

The purpose of this role is to strengthen AlgorithmWatch's work on the governance of automated decision-making (ADM) / AI-based systems by platforms, in the workplace and in the public sector. This encompasses a range of instruments, from soft law (impact assessments, transparency reports, standards etc.) to hard law approaches (laws, directives) and campaigns.

You will develop these instruments in collaboration with stakeholders from all groups: civil society, governments, academia, private companies and the technical community. Emphasis will be on participatory methods. You will build and strengthen coalitions with like-minded organizations and develop strategies to collaborate with communities particularly affected by the use of ADM / AI-based systems.

You will design strategies to disseminate and foster adoption of these results and advocate for them vis-à-vis stakeholders, especially governments and parliaments, the administration and the private sector. You identify key forums and processes where policy interventions from AlgorithmWatch and our partners would have a particular impact, and work in a growing team of policy experts to expand these activities.

Who we are looking for

This is a list of aspects we are looking for in candidates. All items on the list are optional and not mandatory, except for experience in policy and advocacy work and fluency in English.

• You have three to five years’ experience undertaking policy and advocacy focused on digital issues, preferably related to so-called Artificial Intelligence / automated decision-making (ADM).
• You bring a strong background in regulation and governance in one or more of these fields: platform governance (DSA/DMA/EU Member States’ laws), the public sector (with a focus on the EU’s AI Act and other regulatory frameworks), workplace and labour issues / labour law (with a focus on the EU’s AI Act and/or Member States’ laws).
• You have very good knowledge of relevant EU and Member States’ institutions and legislative processes, and practical experience in working with policy makers and civil society organizations.
• You have a network of contacts in one or more of these fields.
• Your political judgment and strategic thinking are excellent, and you have proven the ability to develop and carry out innovative advocacy and campaign strategies.
• Your oral and written communication in English and, preferably, German is persuasive, and includes the ability to write and edit a range of different materials: reports, briefing papers, blog posts, and submissions for different audiences.
• You have experience in tracking, measuring and evaluating advocacy and campaign goals.
• You have experience in community outreach
• Your work style is collaborative and you have a self-directed spirit.
• You work effectively and collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
• Your organizational and multitasking skills are solid, with an ability to meet and prioritize multiple deadlines in a complex and fluid environment.
• You are willing to travel for up to three days at a time on a limited number of occasions. Government safety advice will be applied to travel decisions.

What we offer

• You work at one of the most interesting and influential civil society organizations in the field, with a network of diverse and leading civil society partners, academics, and policy makers.
• You enjoy a high level of autonomy and responsibility.
• You work in an organization with a multi-disciplinary and growing team of diverse, dedicated and enthusiastic professionals and an open and appreciative work culture.
• Your work will directly impact the thinking and acting of key stakeholders and policy makers.
• A workplace in the heart of Berlin.
• 28 days of vacation, flexible, family-friendly working hours, full medical coverage (more info) and pension contribution (more info)
• An initial 2-year part-time or full-time contract with 30h – 40h/week
• Between 47.000 and 51.000 Euros gross annual salary (full-time equivalent), commensurate with experience (information about how gross salary and net income in Germany are calculated and how this compares to other countries)
• Training opportunities and well-being support

How to Apply

Deadline: 30 August 2021 (12 noon CEST)

Please address the following documents to the attention of Ms Kerstin Weber-Thum (as a single PDF, via email: jobs@algorithmwatch.org):

• Cover letter (In English, max. one page) outlining your suitability and motivation for the position. It should explicitly reference how your profile matches the different job requirements described above
• Résumé/CV (In English, NO PHOTO, max. 3 pages)
• 2 samples of your work – a policy document, position paper, campaign website, press release or similar – accompanied by a brief explanation of your role in its creation
• We may ask you for additional documents and references in the process

Please note that only duly completed applications (cover letter, CV, work samples) will be considered. Interviews are likely to be scheduled starting the week of 6 September 2021, remotely via video conference. There may be a second round of on-site interviews, safety regulations permitting.

Location is Berlin and regular office presence is generally assumed when the public health situation permits; during high-risk periods we accommodate work from home to full extent. During “regular” periods, we try to best balance individual and organizational needs in arranging work from home. We cannot provide financial support for relocation. Although we invite non-EU citizens to apply, we can offer only limited support for visa or work permit applications (but we will do our best).

Please tell us how you became aware of our job post.

We will confirm your application via email and will contact only shortlisted candidates personally. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Privacy and Data Protection

By sending us your application, you consent to the processing of your data for the purposes of the application. To learn more about the protection of your personal data in the application process, please see our privacy policy.