Senior Policy Advisor AI, Digitalisation and Power

European Digital Rights

Hours
32 hours per week

Length of contract
1 year

About the Organisation

European Digital Rights (EDRi) is a leading network of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that advocates for digital rights and freedoms in Europe. Founded in 2002, EDRi is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, and works to ensure that fundamental rights such as privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information are protected in the digital environment. EDRi’s mission is to defend and promote digital rights by influencing policies, raising awareness, and empowering individuals and organizations to challenge unjust digital regulations. 

EDRi is a coalition of over 50 member organizations across Europe, including digital rights groups, privacy advocates, and human rights organizations. Some of its notable members include Privacy International (UK), Bits of Freedom (Netherlands), Access Now (global), and La Quadrature du Net (France). These groups collaborate to challenge harmful policies and promote digital rights at national and European levels.

About the role

EDRi seeks an 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.

The EDRi network has contributed to a 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 in 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.

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.

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.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

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 in spoken and written English
• Strong public speaking and media skills
• 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:

• 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 a 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.

Required Qualifications

• 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.)

Compensation & Benefits

• Flexible working hours
• Some teleworking from Belgium possible
• Additional leave days for family care
• Transport to the office is covered in Belgium
• Complementary pension support
• Lunch vouchers, training budget

Working locations

• Brussels, Belgium.
• Due to a high number of in-person meetings and events, this role cannot be remote.

How to apply

• To apply, please fill in the application form by 27th June 2026 at 23:59 EST

Interviews

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Policies

A note on the use of AI in your application: EDRi takes a critical socio-technical lens to the use of AI, seeing it as 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 the right workplace for you, and this role is not the right fit.

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