EDRi is looking for a Policy Advisor to join EDRi’s policy team in Brussels. This is a unique opportunity to participate in civil society efforts to promote data protection and privacy at a time of multiple challenges to our rights and freedoms in the digital age.

• Deadline to apply: 30 September, 23:59 CEST
• Contract: full-time, two-year position
• Start date: as soon as possible
• Location: Brussels, Belgium
• Reports to: Head of Policy
• Salary: EUR 3 446.05 gross monthly, plus benefits (including: flexible working hours, presence in the Brussels office with some teleworking from Belgium possible, additional leave days for family care, transport to the office covered in Belgium, complementary pension support, 13th month and holiday allowance, lunch vouchers, training budget)

About the role

The EDRi network has contributed to major impact on digital policy debates and policy-making in Europe and is considered a reliable source of expert knowledge in the field of digital regulation and fundamental rights. The Policy Advisor will work closely with the Head of Policy, the policy team and EDRi members, as well as a coalition of civil society partners, and pro-actively connect with EU institutions and EU member states, to advocate for strong and enforced rights-respecting legislation and practices related to data protection and privacy as well as to support our work on law enforcement powers and illegal surveillance.

Specifically, the role will entail to lead the work of the EDRi office on data protection and privacy issues (e.g. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) enforcement, commercial surveillance) as well as supporting ongoing efforts in the areas of state surveillance and law enforcement. The Policy Advisor will lead coalition-building efforts to strengthen civil society’s impact, take part in conveners’ efforts, inform and lead EDRi members accordingly and coordinate with organisations representing groups that are most affected by technological harms and overpolicing.

The Policy Advisor will draft policy positions in collaboration with EDRi members, contribute to joint advocacy and campaign efforts, support communications, press and campaigning work and contribute to reciprocal coalitions.

We are looking for an individual with experience in human rights advocacy and digital policy, or related fields, in particular with strong knowledge and interest on data protection and privacy and with interest in working on policing in the digital context. Ideally, the successful candidate will have experience in coalition-building across civil society movements.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will contribute to the work of the policy team in close collaboration with the EDRi team and EDRi members in the following areas:

• Monitor, analyse and report on human rights implications of European digital policy developments;
• Advocate for EDRi positions and human rights standards particularly but not exclusively in the areas of data protection and privacy laws (GDPR enforcement, ePrivacy Regulation) as well as in the specific areas of state surveillance and policing
• Provide policy-makers with timely and accurate expert input;
• Draft policy documents, such as briefings, position papers, amendment proposals, letters, blog posts and EDRi-gram articles;
• Provide EDRi members with information about the EU’s relevant legislative processes, and coordinate working groups;
• Represent EDRi at European and global events, organise and participate in workshops, expert groups and coalition meetings;
• Lead civil society coalitions;
• Maintain good relationships with policy-makers, stakeholders and the press;
• Support and work closely with other staff members including policy, communications and campaigns colleagues.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Advocacy skills
• Organisational skills and basic project management skills
• Coordination and coalition building skills
• Policy and human rights analysis skills
• Excellent written and spoken English

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 1 year of relevant experience in a civil society organisation or other professional context;
• Demonstrable knowledge of human rights and justice issues in the digital context, especially in the field of privacy and data protection;
• Knowledge of the EU’s legislative process and EU level advocacy;
• Experience in supporting civil society coalitions, ideally in human rights groups with a focus on equality of non-discrimination;
• Interest in how digital technologies work, shape our societies, and impact people and democracies;
• Knowledge of a European language other than English is an advantage;
• Knowledge and experience using free and open source software is an advantage.

HOW TO APPLY

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

To apply, please fill in this application form by 3 October.

As an organisation EDRi is committed to protecting and upholding the digital rights of all, and addressing discrimination, oppression and inequality. We are currently co-leading a process aimed at decolonising the digital rights field in Europe. As an employer, we strive to have a working environment grounded in equity, inclusion and justice. We therefore encourage individual members of marginalised groups to apply for this post.

We process the personal data relating to your application for recruitment purposes. The data controller is: EDRi, 12 rue Belliard, Brussels.We do not share your personal data with third parties. Applications (CVs and motivation letters) will be deleted one month after the recruitment procedure is completed and the selected applicant has started their position.

As an exception, notified shortlisted and interviewed candidates’ applications will be kept for a period of one year. You may ask us at any time to delete your information before the end of this one year period.

For more information about how EDRi processes personal data and to exercise your rights, please consult our privacy policy or contact us at dpo@edri.org

You are interested but have questions for us?

• Send an email to applications@edri.org
• Join an information session on the position with EDRi colleagues on 21 September at 9.30h CET. Please express interest by email: applications@edri.org to receive the a link to this session. The session can also be followed anonymously.