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ABOUT THE ROLE

The Transparency International Secretariat (TI-S) is seeking a Research Coordinator / Data Analyst to support the implementation of the Building Regional Integrity and Democratic Governance in the Western Balkans and Türkiye (BRIDGe-WBT) project, a regional action aimed at strengthening political integrity, the rule of law and democratic governance in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Türkiye.

The objective of the action is to strengthen the fight against corruption in the Western Balkans and Türkiye. It aims to contribute to credible progress in the EU enlargement process by strengthening political integrity and judicial independence in the Western Balkans and Türkiye. It does so by monitoring reforms, identifying weaknesses, and providing evidence-based recommendations.

It brings together national civil society expertise and regional coordination to generate reliable evidence on corruption risks, political integrity and judicial independence and accountability reforms.

Building on existing Transparency International tools and methodologies, including Integrity Watch platforms and the regional National Integrity System (NIS) recommendation tracker, the research coordinator will generate reliable policy relevant evidence to support the project objectives. This includes strengthening the data and indicators available through Integrity Watch, quality control and support to tracking the implementation of priority NIS recommendations, and analysing gaps between formal regulations, and institutional practice through systematic, transparent and comparable monitoring.

More specifically, the researcher will contribute to maintaining and upgrading five existing Integrity Watch platforms and launching two new platforms in Albania and Montenegro, using datasets to develop corruption-risk indicators and red flags. The researcher will support the compilation of country analyses and produce at least two regional comparative analytical products on agreed themes such as political finance and electoral integrity, procurement integrity, and judicial independence, integrity and accountability. The researcher will also support TI chapters and partners in applying SMART criteria to the tracked NIS recommendations, including setting a baseline, clear milestones and evidence requirements for assessing their implementation. The researcher will quality assure each tracker update, which monitors progress on priority reforms across the target countries. The researcher will use the findings to develop evidence-based recommendations for policy makers and support the dissemination of findings and policy recommendations in relevant fora as required.  

The Research coordinator will work closely with TI national chapters and partner organisations in the region as well as the Projects, Policy & Advocacy, Global Movement, and Communications teams to ensure that research outputs are rigorous, accessible to wide audiences, comparable across countries, and policy relevant for advocacy.

The role requires a highly motivated researcher with expertise in anti-corruption, rule of law, political integrity as well as data management and analysis to (1) conduct and coordinate research activities on political integrity and judicial independence; (2) provide technical advice  (3) overseeing the implantation of digital tools for political integrity and democratic governance and (4) support the development of policy recommendations and the dissemination of findings in relevant fora to meet the objectives of the project.

The position is currently estimated to start in January 2027 for 27 months.

OVERVIEW OF KEY DIMENSIONS

Role Purpose: to conduct and coordinate research and data activities on political integrity, judicial independence and democratic governance in the Western Balkans and Türkiye, including quality assuring the tracking of progress on anti-corruption reforms and their implementation.

Team: Research and Knowledge.

Reporting Line: Head of Research and Knowledge.

Salary Band: According to TI‑S internal salary structure; this position is aligned with band PF2, with a salary range of EUR 42.000–59.000 gross per year. Final salary placement will be determined based on the number of years of relevant professional experience.

Starting Date: 1January 2027, or as soon as possible there after subject to funding.

Contract Duration: Currently we can offer an employment contract limited to a duration of 27 months.

Working Hours: full time [100%; 40 hours per week] 

Location: Transparency International Secretariat (TI-S), Berlin - with some international travel.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES OF THE ROLE

Based in the Research and Knowledge Team, and in close collaboration with the Projects, Policy and Advocacy, Global Movement and Communications teams and national chapters and partner organisations, the Research Coordinator will: 

  • Produce original materials on political corruption and  democratic governance in the region by coordinating cross-country research on political integrity, corruption risks, judicial independence and  the rule of law.  
  • Provide methodological and technical support to national chapters and partner organisations, including data processing and analysis and through peer learning exchanges to produce high-quality, consistent and comparable monitoring data. 
  • Provide technical support for maintaining, updating and developing Integrity Watch platforms, including on dataset selection, data quality and management, red-flagging and risk indicator construction and visualisation of key findings. 
  • Support chapters and partners in applying SMART criteria to the tracked NIS recommendations and validate and quality-assure their assessments for the baseline and each update before publication monitoring progress against priority reforms using clear milestones and verifiable evidence. 
  • Support chapters and partners in development of national analytical products, such as policy briefs, state-of-play reports, institutional monitoring and baseline assessments. 
  • Contribute at least two regional comparative analytical products, covering agreed priorities such as political finance and electoral integrity, procurement integrity, and judicial accountability safeguards. 
  • Analyse gaps between laws, policy commitments and implementation in practice, and develop evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, oversight bodies and other relevant stakeholders. 
  • Provide thematic and methodological advice, review and quality-assure research outputs prepared by national partners and external contributors, ensuring methodological consistency, factual accuracy and clear communication. 
  • Contribute research and evidence to policy briefs, joint regional positions, submissions, reports, communications materials and advocacy campaigns. 
  • Track relevant developments in anti-corruption, political integrity, judicial accountability and EU enlargement, and contribute to funding proposals and other work advancing the action’s objectives. 
  • Contribute to work planning, monitoring against the logframe and narrative reporting for the research and data components, in coordination with the Projects team and in line with TI-S procedures and donor requirements.  

CANDIDATE PROFILE

In order to succeed in this role, candidates will need to meet the following: 

  • University degree or equivalent in a relevant field of the social sciences, such as political science, law, public policy, public administration sociology, economics, public administration or a related field, with a strong emphasis on research,  
  • 5+ years of relevant professional experience, preferably with an international think tank or NGO or an intergovernmental organisation with work related to anticorruption, political integrity, rule of law, democratic governance or judicial accountability,. 
  • Extensive knowledge and expertise of anti-corruption required, with demonstrated research/policy experience in political corruption political integrity and democratic governance 
  • Substantive experience in policy-relevant research design, development of tools and methodologies, and policy analysis including analysing of legal frameworks and their implementation. 
  • Experience coordinating research across countries or working with civil society organisations, research partners or national-level experts.  
  • Strong data management and analysis skills, including cleaning, structuring and analysing administrative datasets (such as procurement, political finance or asset declaration data) and building risk indicators or red flags to ensure data accuracy and integrity, interpret data, draw conclusions, and communicate them to a non-technical audience. 
  • Experience of designing indicators or milestones to monitor the implementation of reforms or recommendations is an advantage. 
  • Experience in using AI tools for research is desirable.  
  • Regional knowledge/expertise on the Western Balkan and Türkiye and the EU accession process is an advantage. 
  • Exposure to policy development and advocacy, at both international and national levels, is an advantage. 
  • Demonstrated project management with strong organisational skills and the ability to successfully manage priorities in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. 
  • Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and delivering to tight timelines. 
  • Experience translating research findings into policy recommendations, advocacy materials or contributions to institutional monitoring processes is an advantage. 
  • Professional language proficiency in English required, additional languages spoken in the Western Balkans or Türkiye is  an advantage 
  • Strong interpersonal, teamwork and intercultural communication skills, particularly at distance communication. 
  • Commitment to the values and principles of Transparency International. 

WHAT WE OFFER

By joining  Transparency International candidates can expect: 

  • the opportunity to become part of the leading global movement against corruption and make a positive contribution to Transparency International’s mission to stop corruption and promote transparency, accountability and integrity.
  • a role with purpose, working in a team of engaged and enthusiastic experts, driven and united by the desire to fight corruption and achieve significant and large-scale replicable impact.
  • a dynamic, flexible and international working environment with colleagues representing 45+ different nationalities.
  • a high degree of collaboration and autonomy in a lean and agile organisation with streamlined decision-making processes and a shared leadership culture with servant leadership philosophy.

Staff at TI-S enjoy a competitive compensation & benefits package designed for staff well-being and work life balance, incl.: 

  • Relocation package incl. sponsorship of work permit if needed and eligible.
  • Financial contribution to German language classes.
  • Generous time off with 30 days of annual leave per year and flexible working times around core hours.
  • Remote-hybrid working model from within Germany.
  • Possibility of Work from Abroad for periods of time (up to 30 working days per calendar year) 
  • Friday afternoons alternately free or meeting-free during the summer months.
  • Pluxee Restaurant Checks with plenty of options nearby the office for reduced prices for meals.
  • Reduced membership fees with Urban Sports Club.
  • Mental wellbeing and counselling support by OpenUp.
  • Monthly public transport subsidy - Deutschlandticket.
  • Centrally located office in a vibrant metropolitan city with excellent public transportation connectivity at the river Spree.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV and cover letter in English, merged into one PDF file, via our TI website  clicking on the vacant position and the button ‘Apply Online’ 

Closing date for applications is Friday 27.11.2026 at 16:30 am CET

Only applications duly completed and received through the online recruitment system will be considered.  

The Transparency International Secretariat is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where diversity is valued and where there is equality of opportunity. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and therefore welcome applications from qualified candidates of all regions, countries, cultures and backgrounds. Existing permission to work in Germany is not a selection criterion and TI-S supports successful candidates in the process for applying for a work permit, if needed. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis and we do not discriminate on the basis of national origin, race, colour or ethnic background, religious belief, sex, gender identity and expression or sexual orientation, marital or family status, age or ability. We kindly ask applicants to refrain from including in their application information relating to the above as well as from attaching photos.  

DISCLAIMER 

Please note that Transparency International does not charge any fees at any stage of its recruitment and selection process (whether at application, processing, testing, interviewing, traveling or otherwise). In addition, TI does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants. 

FURTHER INFORMATION 

To learn more about Transparency International please visit our website and follow us on social media:

Website: https://www.transparency.org 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anticorruption 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transparency-international/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transparency_international/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransparencyInternational