Project officer Strategic Litigation and AI

European Network of Equality Bodies

Start date
November 15th or 1st December 2026

Duration
6 months

About the Organisation

Equinet is the European Network of Equality Bodies, a membership organisation bringing together 48 equality bodies from across Europe, including all EU Member States. National equality bodies are public institutions designated by EU law to combat discrimination based on race and ethnic origin and gender discrimination.

Some Member States have gone beyond the EU law minimal requirements and extended the mandate of equality bodies to grounds such as disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, gender identity, and other grounds. Equinet promotes equality in Europe through supporting and enabling the work of national equality bodies. It supports equality bodies to be independent and effective as valuable catalysts for more equal societies.

Since 2019, Equinet has been systematically working to build the capacity of Equality Bodies (EBs) to tackle algorithmic discrimination and contribute to European regulatory developments such as the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act and the Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI, human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

About the role

Equinet is looking for a part-time interim project officer to ensure continuity of the Equinet strategic litigation project during the absence of the project officer. This project has been designed to reinforce the capacity of Equality Bodies (EBs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) to work jointly on collective discrimination litigation against large technology companies whose algorithmic systems generate society-wide impacts.

The project is organised around two interlinked objectives:

• Identification and preparation of collective or systemic discrimination cases: establishing a continuous case sourcing pipeline that gathers leads from CSOs, investigative journalists, Equality Bodies, data protection authorities and consumer protection organisations. The pipeline will focus on algorithmic systems whose effects are collective and affect large groups of citizens across several EU Member States. The gathered information will be assessed through a transparent case selection matrix, with the aim of selecting two high-impact, preferably cross-border, cases. Parallel testing of information access powers under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and, where feasible, the AI Act will be conducted to gauge the responsiveness of large technology companies.
• Capacity building for Equality Bodies: diagnosing and closing capability gaps within EBs and strengthening their collaborative relationship with CSOs. This strand will deliver hands-on training, develop a reusable toolbox of templates and contacts with a focus on facilitating access to information, and organise webinars and bootcamps that enable coordinated legal actions. The ultimate goal is to produce a set of practical resources (questionnaires, formal request letters, expert contact lists) that can be used repeatedly for future litigation efforts.

Responsibilities

Coordination & Continuity: Act as Project Liaison

• Act as point of contact for questions from Equality Bodies, CSO partners and other stakeholders about the project.
• Track project planning (including budget), milestones and deliverables.
• Draft regular progress reports for the Equinet Secretariat.
• Prepare and attend quarterly meetings with the funder in close cooperation with the Equinet Secretariat.

Organising & Supporting Meetings with EBs and CSOs:

• Assist in planning and moderating online meetings with Equality Bodies and CSO partners, following established ways of working.
• Keep the Partner Engagement Registry up to date.

Substantive Input & Advancing on Project Deliverables:

• Contribute to legal case strategy discussions for potential cases, in close consultation with the Equality Bodies and other partners involved.
• Monitor the case sourcing pipeline and apply and refine the existing Case Selection Criteria Matrix to new leads.
• Contribute to piloting DSA/AI Act access-to-information requests, through refining/drafting information access requests, and documenting response times and obstacles.
• Advance on deliverables during the period.

Providing Support to the Equinet Secretariat's work on AI:

• Providing support to the Equinet Secretariat's work on AI
• Compile legal and policy AI-related updates as well as relevant events and publications to be shared with members of Equinet's Artificial Intelligence Working Group

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Requirement:

• Experience in equality law and non-discrimination legislation.
• Experience with EU digital regulatory frameworks, particularly the DSA, AI Act, RAD, and GDPR.
• Organisational and communication skills, ability to manage complex, multi-partner projects involving CSOs and public authorities with a high degree of autonomy in planning, implementation, and organisation of project activities.
• Knowledge about equality bodies and their work is a strong advantage.
• Litigation experience is a strong advantage.
• Excellent written and oral communication in English.
• Ability to collaborate and problem-solve effectively with others.

Compensation & Benefits

• Meal vouchers (€10 face value per working day, the employer covering €8.91)
• Medical insurance
• Reimbursement of commuting costs
• €150 per month for remote work costs
• Equinet cannot cover relocation costs.

Working locations

• Brussels, Belgium

How to apply

• Please submit your application by email, consisting of your CV, by 25th October 2026 at midnight, addressed to Nele Roekens ([email protected]) and Tamás Kádár ([email protected]).
• Potential candidates may contact Nele Roekens ([email protected]) by email in advance for any questions about this position or more information on the project (such as the project concept note).

Interviews

• Applicants will be shortlisted for interview based on the expertise requirements set out above as matched to their CV.
• Shortlisted candidates will receive an invitation to interview by close of business (COB) on 28th October 2026.
• Interviews of approximately 45 minutes will take place on 30th October, 3rd November or 4th November pm. Please indicate in your application which time slots during this period you would be available for an interview.
• Equinet does not use AI for the purpose of reviewing applications.

Policies

Equinet Secretariat is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to equal opportunities for all irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race or ethnicity, age, or disability. With a view to contributing to full equality in practice and compensating for disadvantages, it applies positive action measures.

Taking into account the Equinet Secretariat team composition and previous traineeships, in case of equally qualified and suitable candidates, Equinet will choose the person with a minority background unless there are other factors that should tilt the balance in favour of the other candidate. Therefore, we warmly encourage and invite persons from minority backgrounds to apply for this position.

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