EDRi is hiring a Senior Policy Advisor on AI, digitalisation and power (1 year)

EDRi seeks experienced and motivated Senior Policy Advisor

European Digital Rights (EDRi) is an international not-for-profit association of 50+ digital human rights organisations from across Europe and beyond. We are seeking an experienced and motivated senior policy advisor to join our team working together to protect human rights in European tech laws and policies.

The role will lead parts of EDRi’s advocacy in the areas of ‘Just and open internet and technologies’ and ‘Information democracy and participation’ in accordance with EDRi’s 2025-2030 strategy. Depending on the profile of the candidate and on EDRi’s needs, this will include topics such as: automation and artificial intelligence (AI); public digital infrastructures; biometric surveillance; the intersection of technology and labour rights; and the societal, economic and environmental consequences of technology. The successful candidate is not expected to have expertise in or to work on all of these areas, but knowledge of AI and its impact on digital rights is important.

It is a great opportunity for an experienced individual to drive civil society efforts to promote data protection, privacy, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, dignity and other fundamental rights at a time of multiple challenges to our rights and freedoms in the digital age.

• Deadline to apply: Sunday 27 June 2026, 23:59 CEST
• Contract: initial 1 -year contract, with the intention to renew, subject to funding.
• Start date: as soon as possible.
• Location: Brussels, Belgium. Due to a high number of in-person meetings and events, this role cannot be remote.
• Reports to: Head of Policy.
• Salary: EUR €65,769.54 gross annual, including the 13th month and the holiday savings (for reference the monthly gross is €4 726.26).
• Hours: Following a successful pilot and in line with our commitment to staff well-being, EDRi now works a 4-day (FTE 32-hour) work week. We do not work on Fridays.
• 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, lunch vouchers, training budget, 4-day work week (see above).

More 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. We are frequently featured in expert hearings, panels, interviews, podcasts, and news articles, and our work has been cited widely in EU lawmaking processes.

The new Senior Policy Advisor will work with the Head of Policy, other members of the policy team, and EDRi members and affiliates, to deliver EDRi’s strategic goals around AI, climate justice, digital infrastructure and society.

They will also lead coalition-building efforts to strengthen civil society’s impact, take part in convening and field-building efforts, inform and lead EDRi members accordingly and coordinate with organisations representing groups that are most affected by AI and digital harms.

The role has a high degree of autonomy, and the successful candidate must be equally comfortable working alone, in partnership with other EDRi colleagues, and with our extensive network of members and partners. This will mean leading on some areas, but also providing support and enabling others to lead where appropriate. As a senior member of the policy team, the successful candidate is also expected to contribute to a supportive, equitable work culture and to provide guidance and help to colleagues.

Across the final chosen topics on which the new Senior Policy Advisor will work, the role will involve considering how EDRi, our network and our partners can best employ a range of tactics, framings and levers – from complaints and litigation, public procurement to public-interest economics, and much more – to achieve meaningful change that puts people, planet and democracy at the heart of EU tech laws and policies. Success in the role will mean influencing policymakers, laws, other stakeholders and public narratives, and acting as a thought-leader in the field.

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;
• Lead/co-lead the development and execution of advocacy plans, strategies and narratives in the relevant policy areas;
• Provide policy-makers with timely and accurate expert input;
• Draft comprehensive and accessible 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 relevant working groups;
• Act as a spokesperson and represent EDRi at European and occasionally global events, organise and participate in workshops, expert groups and coalition meetings; co-lead events on AI with partners;
• Maintain strong relationships with policy-makers, stakeholders, funders and the press;
• Position EDRi as a thought-leader within the spaces of ‘Just and open internet and technologies’ and ‘Information democracy and participation’, and contribute to shaping the EU narrative around the intersections of AI, climate justice, digitalisation and infrastructural power;
• Support and work closely with other staff members including policy, communications and campaigns colleagues.

About the successful candidate:

The successful candidate will have a proven track record in delivering in a context where things change fast, and there can often be considerable uncertainty. A high level of political savvy, the ability to prioritise (and de-prioritise) rigorously, and a willingness to creatively problem solve will all be essential. While EDRi works hard to continually reflect on and improve staff wellbeing, the political context in which we operate is tough, and civic space is shrinking – so a certain degree of resilience and the ability to stay motivated will be needed.

Essential requirements:

• 4-5 years of relevant work experience;
• Experience working within or advocating towards EU institutions. Similar experiences in another legal system /jurisdiction / area of governance will be considered if the candidate is willing and able to learn about the EU system quickly;
• Knowledge of AI, climate justice and digitalisation in the EU context, and their impact on digital rights;
• An awareness of how equity, justice and decolonial principles influence our work, and of EDRi’s commitment to championing these values;
• Able to translate complex legal and technical concepts into something that is accessible for lawmakers and decision-makers;
• Fluent spoken and written English;
• Strong public speaking and media skills;
• The confidence to represent EDRi at hearings, events and meetings;
• An awareness of the EU fundamental rights framework or another national or international human rights system;
• Evidence of skills relating to policy analysis, writing, public speaking, managing relationships, strategic thinking, teamwork, time management and delivery/execution.

Desirable:

• Education/background in one or more areas relevant to the role (law; data protection; human rights; environmental or computer science; social sciences; EU/public affairs etc.);
• Evidence of original/critical thought-leadership in an area related to digital rights. This could be through academic work, blogs, podcasts, speaking opportunities or other personal or professional endeavours;
• Tech skills (such as using free and open source software, or technical understanding of AI) are an advantage. At a minimum, the successful candidate must express a willingness to learn this.
• A good network in the “Brussels bubble” would be useful but not essential.

We recognise that no candidate will tick every box. We therefore encourage candidates from atypical backgrounds to show how their unique skills and knowledge can be applicable to the profile, and would contribute to their success in the role.

Remuneration fairness: EDRi is transparent internally about our salaries, and the salary for roles at the same level of seniority, regardless of the team, is the same. This is fixed based on the responsibilities and deliverables of the role, and is therefore not negotiable on an individual basis. Annual pay increased are applied across the team in fixed steps, in order to ensure fairness.

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A note on the use of AI in your application: EDRi takes a critical socio-technical lens to the use of AI, seeing it a a political project and a nexus of power, not a neutral tool. We have serious concerns about how the proliferation of AI can undermine labour rights, privacy, equality and human autonomy, among other things. We are also alarmed at the extreme environmental harms that underpin the current AI hype. What’s more, we want to know about you, in your own words, not someone else’s.

Reliance on generative AI to draft your application is therefore strongly discouraged. If you want or need to rely substantially on AI for your application, EDRi is likely not be the right workplace for you, and this role not the right fit.

How to apply

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. To apply, please fill in the application form by the above-mentioned deadline: https://hub.edri.org/index.php/apps/forms/s/TDQ2Qy2W4CRPmkZZsckQRgSH

As an organisation, EDRi is committed to protecting and upholding the digital rights of all, and addressing discrimination, oppression and inequality. We have co-led 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.

In our work, EDRi is committed to challenging power structures and working towards a just and equitable digital future. However, the political nature of what we do can expose staff to harmful attitudes and behaviours. We are also aware that we operate within deeply entrenched structures of oppression and despite our best efforts, will reproduce some of these ourselves. Whilst EDRi makes reasonable accommodations and provides support for all staff, and especially those with minoritised identities, the pervasiveness of discriminatory structures means that we, like any employer, cannot guarantee a fully safe working environment. We expect all staff to work with us on challenging these structures and contributing continually to a more just and equitable work environment but we recognise that this can place an enhanced burden on those with minoritised identities.

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We process the personal data relating to your application for recruitment purposes. The data controller is: EDRi, 12 Rue Belliard, Brussels. We do not ever share your personal data with third parties.

Applications (information entered in application form) 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 .

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