Senior Election Expert and Team Lead, European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE), part-time (80-90%)

The European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE) is seeking a Senior Election Expert and Team Lead (m/f/d) to strengthen and develop citizen election observation organizations in the EU and its neighborhood, thereby defending free and fair elections on the continent.

The EPDE is a network of 17 independent European citizen election observation organizations. Over the past decade, EPDE has evolved into a citizen-based collective infrastructure for protecting the integrity of elections in Europe. With its broad expertise, it serves as an early warning system for authoritarian backsliding and democratic decline in Europe. The EPDE secretariat is located in Berlin and is held by the European Exchange (Europäischer Austausch gGmbH). EPDE aims to increase citizen oversight over democratic processes and to strengthen the resilience of European elections against authoritarian interference. 

• Strategic development of the EPDE network: regular and systematic needs assessment among EPDE member organizations, development of concepts and capacity building programs, designing targeted innovative learning formats for network members
• Responsible development and oversight over program implementation (coherent planning, implementation, reporting and accounting of projects)
• Budget control, preparation of financial reports and financial oversight over several projects simultaneously
• Systematizing and disseminating of best practices
• Managing internal network communication and collaboration
• Responsible organization of M & E, creation of impact analyses and adaptation of tools and strategies
• Lead and oversight over a team of three associates 
• Advisory to the managing co-directors 
• Coordination and communication with other teams in the EPDE Secretariat (finances, electoral integrity, communication, event management)
• Representing the network at international events, conferences and in mass media
• Building strategic partnerships and international professional networks

• At least five years of work experience in the field of international democracy support, civil society development, human rights & rule of law, election administration and/or election observation 
• At least three years of experience in personnel management
• Sound understanding of political developments in the EU and its neighborhood, understanding of international political institutions
• Good knowledge of emerging trends and technologies in election observation, integrity and digital interference  
• Readiness to travel abroad 
• Experience in program management, familiarity with planning systems and tools
• Excellent German and English proficiency, and good knowledge of other European languages (Ukrainian, French, Russian) are desirable
• Ability to quickly familiarize with new tasks, strong sense of commitment, reliability
• Effective team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Plenty of scope to shape new projects in a dynamic international network on relevant political topics
• Intercultural team, flexible and appreciative working environment across all programs of the “European Exchange” 
• Loft office in Berlin-Kreuzberg with a phenomenal team, option to work in home office (up to two days / week)
• Partial Cover of public transport subscription (Deutschlandticket)  

The position is to be filled for an immediate start. The place of work is Berlin, Germany. The job will involve 32-36 hours per week. Remuneration will depend on the applicant's qualifications and is based on TVöD pay grade E13. The duration of this position is limited until 15 March 2028, an extension is envisioned beyond this duration, subject to funding.

Apply by 20 April 2026. Incoming applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. We reserve the right to conduct interviews before the application deadline. Please upload your application (letter of motivation, your CV, and references): 

If you have any questions about this position, please contact us at: job@european-exchange.org.

The European Exchange promotes equal opportunities for applicants regardless of their race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any disabilities.