(Senior) Research Analyst, Tech and Elections

Research Analyst or Senior Research Analyst, Technology and Elections

Founded in 1941, Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of democracy around the globe. Our Research and Analysis division produces cutting-edge reports on topics such as the state of democratic institutions, key tactics employed by modern authoritarians, and how the internet is restricted and increasingly manipulated to undermine human rights, particularly of society’s most vulnerable.

Position summary

Freedom House is seeking a Research Analyst or Senior Research Analyst to advance the organization’s research, advocacy, and policy work on technology and elections. This position will lead Election Watch for the Digital Age, a project investigating the interplay between human rights, election integrity, and digital platforms. Responsibilities include systematically tracking election-related practices and policies by governments and tech companies, engaging as an internal and external subject matter expert, and conducting policy research to determine what actions Freedom House should recommend to stakeholders. This is a full-time position ideally based in New York City, with some flexibility for Washington, DC or remote locations in the United States.

Key responsibilities

• Project manage Election Watch for the Digital Age, including overseeing research coordination, engaging with external research consultants, setting project timelines, and managing the production schedule for written analysis and other outputs.
• Monitor major electoral periods around the world, and analyze how the digital space affects the administration of elections and the associated impacts on democracy and human rights.
• Conduct research on and analyze legislative, regulatory, and industry proposals and practices around major elections, such as those that relate to political advertising, harassment and hate speech, information operations, political candidates’ speech, platform accountability, and electoral regulation. Use this research to develop best practices for stakeholders to adopt during elections.
• Strategically identify and coordinate opportunities for public and private engagement, including by participating in events and roundtables.
• Strengthen thematic expertise within Freedom House and draft written products like policy briefs, op-eds, and talking points.
• Represent Freedom House with technology companies, media, civil society, policymakers, potential donors, and other stakeholders. Where funding and health conditions permit, travel to attend relevant conferences to represent Freedom House.
• Collaborate with other Freedom House departments, including advocacy and programmatic teams, to coordinate activities around upcoming elections and in the development of policy recommendations.
• Provide election-related additional support to the research and analysis team, including for Freedom on the Net and Freedom in the World.
• Assist with funding proposals, donor reports, and monitoring and evaluation of the project’s impact.

Qualifications

• Candidates must possess authorization to work in the United States.
• For research analyst roles, ideal candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, human rights, international law, media/journalism, public policy, or related field; plus 3-5 years of related experience. For senior research analyst roles, ideal candidates will have a master’s degree in political science, international relations, human rights, international law, media/journalism, public policy, or related field; plus 5-7 years of related experience. Candidates with equivalent training/experience, relevant experience, and a passion for democracy work are also encouraged to apply.
• Strong knowledge of and interest in the intersection between election integrity, digital platforms, and human rights around the world.
• Demonstrated understanding of important tech policy, regulatory, and industry debates around elections, such as political advertising, harassment and hate speech, influence operations, political candidates’ speech, platform accountability, and electoral regulation.
• Experience conducting research on and grappling with complicated technology and electoral policy questions.
• Outstanding English writing and editing skills and experience drafting concise, eloquent, and media-friendly communications of varying lengths, including policy briefs and opinion pieces.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in a workplace setting.
• Emotional intelligence needed to facilitate cooperation between people with divergent views and from different cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, including demonstrated experience speaking to and interacting with external stakeholders.
• Eagerness to develop into an internally and externally recognized expert and enthusiasm to seek out new opportunities for Freedom House on issues related to elections and digital platforms.
• Comfort working with limited supervision on long-term tasks, finding solutions to problems as they arise, and taking responsibility for your work.
• Experience conducting project management and coordinating multiple tasks on a 3-12 month timeline.

We do not expect anyone to tick every single box for this position, and if you have relevant experience not listed here, please apply and tell us about it.

Additional Information

• The hired candidate is expected to begin in April 2022.
• Salaries are commensurate with experience and based on pay grades that prioritize equity across the organization. Research analyst roles start at $62,000 and senior research analyst roles start at $68,000.
• Freedom House provides a strong benefits package, including a 10-percent employer match program for your 403(b) retirement account, commuter benefits, flexible summer hours, floating holidays, high employer contributions to medical, dental, and vision premiums, basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending account, and more.
• Diversity makes our research stronger. The negative effects of digital technology disproportionately impact marginalized populations, including people of color, women, people with disabilities, religious minorities, and the LGBT+ community. Freedom House centers these experiences in its work. We actively seek and strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience relating to our work.
• Freedom House workplace culture emphasizes support, growth, and transparency. We value colleagues’ mental and physical well-being.
• Freedom House employees are currently working remotely with the option to come into the office in New York City (located in downtown Manhattan) or Washington, DC. Strong candidates who wish to stay permanently remote will also be considered.
• The role may require light domestic and international travel to participate in conferences, briefings, and workshops.

Directions to Apply

Apply by sending the following documents, as PDFs, to [email protected] with “Technology and Elections Application” as the subject:

• A resume (1-2 pages)
• A cover letter (max. 1 page)

Applications will be accepted through Monday, March 21, and candidates will be expected to submit a short writing exercise during the interview process. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Applicants who fail to meet these criteria will not be considered.

Disclaimer: This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job. It is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder may differ from those outlined in the job description and other duties, as assigned, may be part of the job. Freedom House may add, change, or remove essential and other duties at any time.

Freedom House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors,  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Freedom House, please call: 202-227-4308.