Programme Coordinator EU Law (m/f/d)

Closing date for applications:  11.06. 2025
Type of employment: Full-time
Start Date: 1.08. 2025 
Contract duration : 2 years
Location:Berlin


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 and Eastern Partnership countries, with sporadic collaborations also in the Balkans and Central Asia regions. Thematically, our work centers on enabling public participation, protecting the rule of law, strengthening local governance, reducing polarization, 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. 
In 2025-2027, DRI is running several new and expanded projects dealing with the rule of law and individual rights, including support to EU candidate countries in the aligning of their legislation with EU acquis, and a focus on the promotion and use of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. The latter also includes the next phase of the Starlight project that builds capacity for strategic litigation around the Charter, which DRI will be coordinating.
To help drive and support this work, the Europe team is looking for a Programme Coordinator with project management experience and a strong knowledge of EU constitutional and human rights law and its practical applications, including, ideally, in strategic litigation. The person should also have outstanding communication skills (particularly in communicating legal matters to a non-specialist audience), have diverse knowledge of the region, and be a team player, who is ready to take the initiative.
Overall, this is a unique position to combine your passion for coordination and content work, while working on democracy and rule of law - the great issues of our time.Under the supervision of the Europe Manager, and in close coordination with the Research Coordinator, you will: 
 
Project Coordination

• Ensure high quality project implementation, driving towards impact per agreed objectives, workplans and budget 
• Foster effective communication and collaboration among project partners, key stakeholders and DRI
• Ensure full compliance with donors’ contractual obligations and internal DRI policies and procedures (including on contracting, procurement and finance) 
• Organise events and coordinate the recruitment and contract management of international experts
• Implement robust monitoring, evaluation and learning framework for the project/s
• Support effective outreach and communications in close coordination with the DRI communications team
• Give media interviews and represent DRI in relevant fora, as agreed with Europe Manager
• Liaise with donor and ensure quality reporting
• Develop new fundraising proposals and budgets 

Content Support 

• Provide training and advice to partners on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and other key EU democracy and human rights instruments
• Monitor legal and political developments related to the rule of law in select EU and candidate countries, suggesting thematic areas for deeper research and reporting
• Conceptualise and draft various analytical outputs, particularly for non-specialist audiences (explainers, fact sheets, infographics, short videos, etc.)

Other

• Keep supervisor and colleagues abreast of any relevant developments that may significantly affect implementation
• Feed relevant information into organisation-wide processes  
• Support the Research Coordinator and Europe Manager with the broader work of the programme team as required 

Required:

• Advanced law degree, ideally in human rights law, EU law or similar
• At least 5 years work experience, including progressively complex project management
• At least 3 years of legal experience through research or practice
• Prior experience of dealing with EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with ability to communicate complex legal matters to a non-specialist, non-academic audience
• A proactive approach to tasks, flexible, organized, and self-sufficient
• Ability to work in an international multi-cultural setting
• Creative thinking, innovation, and willingness to experiment with new approaches and solutions.
• Demonstrated understanding of gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and the ability to mainstream these in project activities and result areas
• Full professional fluency in English, and at least one other regional language

Preferred

• Prior experience and interest in working on rule of law/ democracy topics
• Practical experience in strategic litigation
• Thesis topic on EU Charter of Fundamental Rights or EU accession process
• Social media presence or interest in having one
• Prior experience of writing for a non-academic audience
• Some experience in delivering participatory training/ teaching
• Qualitative analysis skills and knowledge of relevant tools, such as statistical computing software, databases etc.
• Knowledge of Hungarian, Romanian, French, Spanish, or Ukrainian

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 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. 

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: 11 June 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. .