Lead in interface's Digital Public Sphere programme (m/f/d)

This role offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of analysing, discussing and shaping the EU’s digital policies on online platforms and ad tech.

As Lead in our programme “Strengthening the Digital Public Sphere and Platform Regulation”, you will take responsibility for leading and developing one of the core pillars of our work at interface. You will develop and implement a high-quality research agenda on EU platform regulation and related topics. Policymakers and other stakeholders who are looking to create or improve EU rules in this field will benefit from your well-founded analyses and recommendations. We are seeking candidates with proven personnel management skills as well a track record of policy analysis and working with a wide range of stakeholders across public policy, industry, academia and civil society on issues of online platform regulation and adtech. Please check interface-eu.org/about-us for further information on our methodology.

Our Digital Public Sphere programme has published widely recognised publications, including on digital information and news literacy, platforms’ risk assessment and the EU governance structures around platform regulation. Surveys, interviews and data analyses are key components of our methodology. As the new lead of this program, you will have the autonomy to continue, deepen or expand our previous work, thus shaping the strategy and approach of the programme. Our goal is to support the strengthening of consumer-friendly platform regulation, by supporting lawmakers and enabling critical public scrutiny, with the Digital Services Act (DSA) being a current programme focus. Depending on your record and interest as well as on political developments, relevant work towards this goals may include analysing the strengths and weaknesses of regulatory structures, evaluating youth protection approaches, studying systemic risks or reviewing the involvement of civil society expertise and academia. Online advertising is a key business model for many digital services and EU lawmakers have discussed potential harms related to online ad markets not only in the context of platform regulation but also consumer protection, privacy/surveillance and national security. Considering that specific legislation touching upon online advertising is being discussed – for instance, regarding consumer protection, the Digital Fairness Act – this topic offers additional opportunities for you to bring new ideas and insights to the programme.

You will have the opportunity to build on our extensive network in this field, consisting of experienced policy and advocacy experts from civil society, business, academia and administration.

You will report to interface’s Managing Director. Our professional Communications team will support you with copy editing, layout and design as well as PR, our Finance team will support you with project controlling and budgeting our Lead Strategic Fundraising will work with you to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the programme. Jointly with the Managing Director and the HR team, you will be responsible for growing the programme team in the foreseeable future and building a suitable team. You will have a dedicated student assistant to support your work.

interface is an independent expert organisation specialising in information technology and public policy. Our goal is to ensure that political decision-makers have the expertise and ideas necessary to create policies and make decisions that put the public interest first. We provide analysis and ideas to decision-makers and the public across Europe on issues such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, platform oversight, global chip dynamics and government surveillance. To produce analysis and advice that matters to policy-makers, our experts combine a deep understanding of technology with practical experience of how government works.

Join us and become part of a team of experts at the intersection of technology and policy. The successful candidate will initially be offered a two-year contract, with the opportunity for permanent employment thereafter. We are looking to fill the role as soon as possible after the selection of a candidate. The role can accommodate either full-time (40 hours per week) or part-time (80-90%) work.

• Develop and execute a strategy on platform regulation and online advertising (e.g., identify important and overlooked or underaddressed policy topics within these fields).
• Develop and lead a team of policy researchers at interface’s Digital Public Sphere program.
• Research, write and publish policy analyses and papers.
• Design and execute suitable methodological approaches such as expert workshops, roundtables, surveys or data analyses.
• Provide independent, well-founded and nuanced expertise on matters related to platform governance and ad tech to policymakers and other stakeholders.
• Engage in discussions with policymakers, the public (e.g., through panels or lectures) and the media (e.g., via interviews and opinion pieces), supported by the Communications team.
• Expand and maintain a diverse international network of platform regulation and digital rights experts and stakeholders in governments, parliaments, administration, businesses, research communities and civil society.
• Support fundraising efforts in collaboration with interface’s Managing Director and the Lead Strategic Fundraising.

• You are a highly experienced tech or tech policy professional with a strong interest in platform regulation and/or the online advertising industry.
• You take a proactive approach and interest in developing and regularly assessing a strategy for interface’s Digital Public Sphere programme.
• You enjoy creatively and proactively working to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the programme (prior fundraising experience is a bonus).
• You have profound knowledge of
  • current debates in tech regulation and at the intersection of human/consumer rights and digital policy, both in Europe and internationally;
  • DSA enforcement issues in EU member states such as Germany;
  • the online advertising industry from a practical, legal and/or economic perspective (e.g., regarding tracking, privacy, consumer protection, cybersecurity or competition).
• You have very strong communication skills and the ability to explain complex issues to a broad audience of non-experts coupled with strong writing skills and a track record of publications or written reports in academia, journalism, politics or other analysis-based professional contexts.
• You have proven personnel management skills, enjoy working in a team with a collaborative  management approach and enjoy developing and testing your ideas with people inside and outside the organization.
• Fluency in English at C1 level is required. Fluency in German is a plus.
• The successful applicant must be based in or willing to relocate to an EU country (nationals of any country are welcome to apply). 
• We seek people with various types of academic and/or professional qualifications. The important part is that you demonstrate strong knowledge of platform regulation, online advertising, data protection and/or economics. 
• The successful applicant must be based in or willing to relocate to an EU country (can be a national of any country).
• We seek people with various types of academic and/or professional qualifications. The important part is to demonstrate strong knowledge in platform regulation, online advertising, data protection and/or economics.

• A great opportunity to contribute to political and policy debates at the national and EU levels on topics that concern millions of people and key digital industries.
• A high degree of personal responsibility, while leading and being part of an expert team.
• The option to work from anywhere in the EU: Candidates based in any EU country are welcome to apply.
• Flexible working hours.
• Flexibility to work remotely or utilize our centrally located and accessible office space in Berlin. We cover travel expenses for all-team events.
• Financial assistance to equip your remote office and a monthly mobile office allowance.
• Competitive salary range of 72.000-75.600 EUR per year depending on experience.
• Option to work abroad (away from your place of residence) for up to three months annually, provided that national regulations permit this concept and duration.
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 30 days (plus an additional day off on 31 December), based on full-time employment.
• Five optional care days per year to support family, friends and pets.
• Annual competence development meeting and salary adjustment.
• Access to an annual training budget for professional and personal growth.
• Up to three professional coaching sessions per year to support well-being at work.
• Support from our Diversity Officer for matters concerning gender, diversity and equality.

We welcome applications from individuals of all ages, ethnic origins, nationalities, genders, gender identities, physical abilities, cognitive diversity, religions, beliefs, sexual orientations, and social backgrounds. We strongly encourage candidates from ethnic minorities and other underrepresented groups in civil society organizations to apply and bring their unique perspectives to our team.

Application deadline is December 22, 2024. Please apply with a cover letter and a CV (without a photo) in one PDF file at https://www.interface-eu.org/jobs. The interviews will take place online. Helen Brand (personal@interface-eu.org) will be happy to answer any questions you may have.