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Policy Fellow (m/f/d)

Berlin
Full-time
Fixed-term

About the Job

Project Synopsis: As India becomes an increasingly important partner for Europe in the Indo-Pacific, European expertise on the country remains dispersed across institutions and countries. CEIPE (Community & Expertise on the Indo-Pacific in Europe) aims to bridge these gaps. Led by ECFR and bringing together a network of leading European think tanks, the initiative connects India and Indo-Pacific experts from across Europe to foster a more coordinated European approach to India. Through workshops, conferences, collaborative research, and joint publications, CEIPE seeks to strengthen Europe's knowledge base and enhance its capacity to engage with one of the most consequential strategic partnerships of the coming years.

Job Purpose

This is a dual role that combines coordinating ECFR’s pan-European think tank network on India with an active intellectual contribution to the project’s work. Within ECFR’s Asia Programme, and working closely with the Project Lead, the post-holder manages the delivery of CEIPE’s activities and events and ensures effective collaboration with central and administrative teams, national offices, partner think tanks, policy fellows, and external stakeholders across the network. At the same time, the post-holder is expected to develop their own analytical voice: producing written outputs under their own name, shaping research questions, and contributing actively to the European debate on India and the wider Indo-Pacific. We are looking for someone early in their policy career who is genuinely excited both to take intellectual ownership of substantive work and to do the hands-on coordination that makes a network project succeed.

Main Responsibilities

  • Develop and pursue research on India, the Indo-Pacific, and related areas relevant to European foreign and security policy, taking intellectual ownership of selected topics within the project.

  • Author written outputs – including commentaries, policy briefs, and research papers – both independently and in collaboration with colleagues across the network, as well as briefings and workshop summaries.

  • Follow and actively contribute to relevant policy debates and developments, representing the project’s work and helping to shape the European conversation on India.

  • Identify research gaps and new opportunities for impactful projects and outputs across the European think tank network.

  • Organize and support project activities, including workshops, conferences in Brussels, study visits, consultations, and related logistics and outreach.

  • Monitor and manage project timelines, milestones, deliverables, and reporting to ensure successful completion and compliance with institutional and funder priorities.

  • Liaise regularly with internal teams, partner think tanks, policy fellows, and external stakeholders, supporting effective communication and smooth collaboration across the network.

  • Track budgets, prepare financial reports, and assist in resource planning and general project administration.

  • Assist in stakeholder mapping and management, and maintain internal systems and databases.

  • Coordinate documentation and administrative duties, such as project proposals, meeting notes, and stakeholder correspondence.

  • Support fundraising efforts, including donor relations, communications, and preparation of fundraising materials.

  • Ensure alignment of project activities with ECFR's annual planning and strategic objectives



Additional tasks may be assigned in line with broader ECFR organisational priorities.

Person Specification

  • Education  

    • Education and experience equivalent to either a Master's degree with 2 years, or a Bachelor's degree with 4–5 years of relevant work experience
    • A degree in international affairs, political science, public policy, or related field. 

  •  Experience and knowledge 

    • Experience in administrative/project coordination, especially in a research-driven environment such as a think tank, NGO, or research institution.
    • Some experience conducting and publishing research, with a clear ambition to develop an independent analytical voice and contribute to policy debates (this is an early-career role, and we welcome candidates looking to grow into greater intellectual responsibility).
    • Excellent command of English, both written and spoken (native level), is a must; additional languages such as German and Hindi are an advantage.
    • Experience supporting event organisation, briefing notes, and reports is an advantage.
    • Knowledge of budgeting and financial oversight is a strong advantage.
    • Genuine interest in international affairs and demonstrated knowledge of India, the Indo-Pacific, or European foreign and security policy, with the curiosity and initiative to build expertise and views of your own.

  •  IT Requirements 
    • Highly proficient in Office 365, particularly Excel; good knowledge of presentation packages and collaborative platforms, i.e., Teams, Zoom…
    • Knowledge of handling social media, CRM, data analysis software and research databases and tools.
    • Desirable knowledge in budget management software, i.e., Infor SunSystem and/or project management tools.
    • Familiarity with data protection regulations, basic cybersecurity awareness, and safe handling of sensitive data


Skills and Abilities

  • Strong analysis skills, with the ability to synthesise large volumes of information and find new and original ways of connecting the dots
  • Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to draft reports, briefs, and correspondence to a high standard
  • Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and demanding deadlines while ensuring attention to detail
  • Strong problem-solving to approach challenges creatively and proactively, ensuring flexibility to adapt to varying workloads
  • Ability to work independently as well as part of a multi-disciplinary and multi-national team, fostering a positive collaborative culture
  • Excellent interpersonal skills to comfortably interact across various organisational levels and with external stakeholders confidently and professionally
  • Discreet and able to handle sensitive and confidential matters
  • High degree of ownership and self-motivated with curiosity, a can-do attitude, initiative, and willingness to learn and contribute to team success.
Special Condition:

  • This role requires frequent travel and willingness to work outside of standard business hours when necessary, including weekends or evenings.

What we offer

  • Competitive salary according to profile with flexible & hybrid working mode
  • Convenient office location in the heart of Berlin
  • Stimulating and open work culture at an innovative and renowned pan-European think tank with partly hybrid work opportunities that allow flexibility while maintaining productivity and collaboration.
  • Opportunity to collaborate with highly motivated and committed colleagues from diverse backgrounds across Europe, within an organization that holds a distinguished position and wide recognition within the think tank world.

To Apply and Next steps

If this is of interest, we look forward to receiving your application!
Closing Date: 17th July 2026, 17:30 CET

We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis; hence, we encourage candidates to apply at the earliest.

Please note that this position is for a fixed term of 2 years.

Please use the apply button to submit your cover letter and CV in English (max. 2 pg. and pdf format each document)

Candidates must be eligible to work in Germany.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we will only be able to respond to candidates after the application deadline has passed. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

We care about your data privacy. If you are interested to know more about how we manage your personal data, you can find more information in this link: https://ecfr.eu/privacy-job-applicants/

ECFR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we do not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, gender, veteran status, or on the basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. 

STRICTLY NO AGENCIES PLEASE

About us

The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) is an award-winning international think-tank that aims to conduct cutting-edge independent research on European foreign and security policy and to provide a safe meeting space for decision-makers, activists and influencers to share ideas. We build coalitions for change at the European level and promote informed debate about Europe’s role in the world. 

 

In 2007, ECFR’s founders set about creating a pan-European institution that could combine establishment credibility with intellectual insurgency. Today, ECFR remains uniquely placed to continue providing a pan-European perspective on some of the biggest strategic challenges and choices Europeans need to confront, with a network of offices in seven European capitals, over 90 staff from more than 25 different countries and a team of associated researchers in the EU 27 member states. For more information check our website: ecfr.eu