Director/Senior Manager of Research and Policy (Depending on experience)

ISD is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to safeguarding human rights and reversing the rising tide of polarisation, extremism and disinformation worldwide.

Why work for ISD?

ISD is not your ordinary think tank. We turn research into action that changes the world. Our insights don't gather dust on shelves - they power the fight to protect democracy and human rights on the front lines. We're committed to delivering real change, from the grassroots to the highest levels of global institutions. And we're looking for passionate individuals who share our commitment to making a difference. Join us and be part of an organisation that's making an impact.

ISD's Guiding Principles of integrity, collaboration, agility and courage define who we are as a team and an organisation. These principles reflect our culture and guide the way we work and the choices we make.

Our benefits

• Flexible and remote working based on ISD's Time Principles of trust, communication and flexibility.

• 25 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays.

• 1 week of additional paid time off over Christmas, outside of your annual leave entitlement.

• Additional paid time off for development and life's important events.

• Sick pay and enhanced family friendly policies and compassionate leave.

• Company pension with 5% employer contribution.

• Annual personal development budget.

• Remote working budget.

• Employee Assistance Programme and dedicated counsellors for those working with potentially traumatic content.

• Inclusive wellbeing programme with regular wellbeing initiatives e.g. early finish on a Friday.

Salary

Competitive up to TVöD Bund 14.5 depending on qualifications and experience 

Location

Berlin (Hybrid)  

Hours

This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week. We are open to considering flexible working arrangements.

Contract type

1-year, 80%-100%    

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

ISD is committed to promoting diversity throughout its workforce and aims for its team to be truly representative of all sections of society. We make a concerted effort to ensure our workplace, employment policies and organisational culture creates an inclusive, positive and progressive environment in which all members of our team are treated with dignity and respect. For further information about this policy or our recruitment practices, please email vacancies@isdglobal.org.

We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neuro-divergent people, carers, and people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

The role

The Senior Research and Policy Manager, ISD Germany, will oversee and deliver high-quality digital research, requiring both hands-on experience executing original research and supervisory experience in guiding outputs and research teams. The role entails developing, managing, and delivering research projects and leading a research team at ISD Germany, as well as representing that work with stakeholders across government, media, civil society, and academia.

This position will coordinate with ISD’s external partners and work closely with ISD’s Digital Policy team and international research teams to maximize the impact and relevance of research outputs. The Senior Research and Policy Manager will also design and deliver research that evidences non-compliance with digital regulation across Europe, contributing to policy and public understanding.

The Senior Research and Policy Manager will work closely with the Digital Analysis Unit (DAU) to ensure that research methodologies applied are robust and appropriate, leveraging the DAU’s technical expertise where necessary.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Research Management, ISD Germany (50%)  
   

• Provide research oversight of programmes run out of ISD, Germany. This will include the design, execution and implementation of rigorous research methods to ensure all analysis is thorough, robust and defensible, both internally and externally.  

• Provide input on the design of ISD Germany’s research projects,

• ensuring research methodologies are designed to produce tangible, specific and evidence-based policy recommendations. 

• Oversee and help deliver a range of digital research projects that are compliant with the requirements of key partnerships, donors and ISD Global policies and procedures.  

• Ensure research outputs feature policy recommendations that are evidence-based, timely and relevant for the German and European landscape, and when appropriate relate to the global scope of ISD’s work  
  

  2. Digital Methods Implementation and Development (20%)  

• Support the development and implementation of digital research methodologies suited for large-scale data analysis to enhance ISD Germany’s digital research outputs.

• Regularly liaise with DAU to stay updated on new tools and methodologies and incorporate these advancements into ISD Germany’s research practices.Collaborate with the DAU to ensure that digital research methods applied in proposals, reports, and project deliverables are sound, rigorous, and aligned with ISD standards.

3. Business Development & representation (20%)  

• Support on proposal development in areas of expertise, working closely with the wider team to meet ISD, programme and area targets.  

• Support innovation of and fundraising for new projects   

• Identify, scope and engage potential new funders and development opportunities, including opportunities for cross-organisational working.  

• Represent ISD on areas of expertise, including in the media and with governments, the private sector and international organisations.  

• Build, manage and maintain external stakeholder relationships to an exceptional level across areas of expertise.  

4. Line Management (10%)  

• Line manage team members and support colleagues to reach their potential through attending ISD offered line manager support sessions and other relevant trainings as well as coaching, communication and identification of learning and development opportunities for direct reports.   

• Support ISD leadership with resourcing, staff development and training, and wellbeing.   

• Identify and provide solutions to a variety of risks, build awareness of risks within the team, and highlight escalation points where necessary.    

To view a full job description, please  click here.

The ideal candidate

The ideal candidate will have  6+ years of project delivery experience, with proven ability to manage complex and large research projects involving external partners, experience in designing methodologies for digital research projects on online information operations, extremism, and/or hate speech. They will also have experience in designing methodologies for digital research projects on online information operations, extremism, and/or hate speech.

They will have strong subject matter expertise in digital policy and the EU regulatory framework, online manipulation, extremism or hate  and a strong understanding of available digital research methods, tools and organisations in the German and EU context. Subject matter familiarity with digital regulation, such as the EU’s DSA, the Code of Practice on Disinformation or the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA), is also essential.

Please review our  job description for essential criteria, and keep in mind that no candidate will meet every requirement in the advert. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified, but you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to hear from you.

How to apply

Please submit your application by Saturday the 5th of January 2025. ISD reserves the right to interview and appoint candidates prior to the advertised closing date.

If you have any further questions about this vacancy or want to speak to a member of our recruitment team, please contact vacancies@isdglobal.org.