As a Senior Associate on the Strategic Research and Insight (SRI) team, you will be responsible for leading and delivering on a wide range of client work in line with team and organisational objectives. You will receive training and support to lead and deliver AWO projects. This will include:

Working closely with Directors and members of the Senior Leadership Team to scope terms of reference with the client and maintaining communication throughout projects.
Analysing and synthesising internal research, identifying areas that are most impactful/ relevant for the client based on the project brief.
Identifying expertise required for the project and develop appropriate resourcing and project management plans.
Scoping and delegating research tasks across the AWO team. Developing relationships with individual team members, and offering feedback and guidance as required.
Co-ordinating and supervising consultants, from copyeditors to external experts.
Ensuring that the final product satisfies the project brief and delivering high-quality analysis and written materials.

This is a generalist data rights role that is well-suited for someone with at least one area of subject matter expertise who would now like to work flexibly across issue areas. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about complex data rights questions where answers are not immediately apparent; keen to engage with expertise and perspectives across disciplines; and able to develop clear, concise answers tailored to the given audience, whether it be a civil society group or a regulatory body.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Research and Analysis

Lead and undertake general research on a wide range of issues primarily at the intersection of technology and data rights
Scope and design research tasks based on project context and client requirements.
Design and conduct research interviews with stakeholders
Synthesise findings and structure appropriately to summarise key points, recommendations, conclusions etc.
Monitor new legal developments and research on emerging technology topics and policy.
Scope, delegate and supervise research tasks conducted by other members of the project team, including recommending relevant sources and starting points for desk research.

Report Writing

Produce concise written and verbal analysis for colleagues and colleagues.
Review team members’ research materials and ensure high-quality synthesis for clients.
Draft, proofread and edit reports.

Project Management

Manage directly or support others in managing projects, logistics and general administrative planning to deliver client work and projects to deadlines
Develop project management plans and work closely across the team to implement them. Ensure alignment between the project management plan and the project brief/ client’s requirements. Monitor and flag issues to Senior Leadership Team in a timely manner.
Facilitate good communication with clients and colleagues
Ensure projects are delivered on time and to scope across a variety of formats. (Project deliverables most often take the form of reports but may include presentations or workshops.)
Identify and propose new opportunities for AWO to work efficiently and effectively
Line manage and support professional development of AWO staff. (Note – at point of hire, there will not be any line management responsibilities).

Organisational

Build strong relationships at all levels across the organisation.
Contribute to the development of AWO’s culture and values
Contribute to company policy and strategy development

Person Specification

Through the hiring process, the AWO team will review candidates against the person specification.

Knowledge and Experience (or what you know and have done)

At least 5 years working on technology policy issues, including 1+ year project management (delivering complex projects)
Up to date knowledge about European and international technology policy issues Familiarity with the EU tech policy landscape and policymaking processes
Fluency in written and spoken English, with knowledge of other European languages an asset.

Competencies/Skills (or what you’re good at)

Subject matter expertise – you maintain deeper expertise in at least one data rights issue area while being able to understand actors, debates and trends in the wider data rights space. Possible area of expertise may include (but aren’t limited to): 1) International human rights law 2) EU tech policy/European politics 3) Technology 4) Data protection/privacy
Analytical reasoning – you are able to take an initial research question and formulate a structure to generate outcomes. You exercise judgement on how to draw out relevant insights from research and apply them to our clients’ questions.
Communication – you can effectively deliver advice to clients and are able to convey complex information in a way that is clear for the target audience.
Organisation/Project Management – you logically structure and manage multiple projects from start to finish. You can undertake a wide range and variety of tasks with conflicting deadline and manage changing priorities.
Problem solving – you identify all facets of an issue, consider potential impacts of possible options, and choose the most appropriate solution for intended outcomes. You proactively identify issues before they arise and seek appropriate resources when confronted with the unknown.
Teamwork and collaboration – you work collaboratively with other team members in a project lead role to deliver business/client objectives. You understand and appreciate the nature of a remote-first work environment and create supportive and responsive relationships with team members, other staff, and stakeholders.
Writing – you produce excellent written work, which is well-structured, clear and concise. You proof and edit all work to maintain accuracy and precision for various audiences.

Attributes (or who you are)

Aligned - affinity for AWO’s mission, values and approach to technology and policy
Curious - willing to explore when confronted with the unknown
Creative thinker – able to think outside of the box when confronted with challenges
Comfortable with ambiguity - able to find a solution to achieving goals without precise instruction on getting there
Detail-oriented – considers all aspects of the task at hand with precision and accuracy
Flexible – able to pivot across tasks and issue areas as needed
Remote – comfort and desire to work predominantly from home
Self-starter – proactive and enthusiastic in identifying challenges and opportunities
Solutions-focussed – pragmatic in ability to think through issues and apply practical solutions

Why work at AWO?

Our team consistently rates AWO as a great place to work. In our most recent annual engagement survey, employees said they would highly recommend AWO as a good place to work to a friend, with the question receiving a score of 4.7 out of 5.

Work That Matters

Our work is at the forefront of the intersections of data, technology, law and policy, and no two projects are the same. You will work with a diverse and exciting array of clients and projects from the private, public, and third sectors.

Culture and Benefits

We have a positive internal culture and we make sure we take care of each other by providing:

Generous leave: 25 days of paid annual leave, up to 10 weeks of paid sick leave, plus paid leave for the week between Christmas and New Year’s
Family support: an enhanced family leave policy of 18 weeks for birthing parents and 9 weeks for non-birthing parents at full pay, plus additional leave to help manage any lastminute emergencies
Equipment: great technology provision, including Apple devices, external screens and a generous work from home allowance to get you set up at home
Flexibility: the freedom to structure your work schedule the way that works best for you within your working time, with the option to work from a co-working space or home depending on what helps you work best
Fun: virtual social-interest “clubs” where we can relax and get to know each other, plus our annual in-person meet up.

Collaborative Approach

We believe we work best when we work together. As a remote-first organisation, we harness technology to offer opportunities for cross-team collaboration from near and far and encourage team members to learn from each other, including:

Regular coffee chats
Brown Bags lunches where team members present on current work
Quarterly meet-ups of the entire organisation
Robust internal channels to share resources and information across the team

We pride ourselves in having an open culture where team members at any level and within any team can voice their opinions on emerging issues with respect and interest.

Professional Growth

The development and growth of our team is crucial to our success. We challenge ourselves to be better, through a culture of feedback and support. You can expect:

Regular check-ins and conversations with your line manager with the opportunity to receive feedback in real time
A performance development process that is open, honest, and focussed on your success
Group training sessions to help sharpen your knowledge and skills, including workshops on effective writing, delivering feedback, and understanding technology
The ability to meet your professional and development goals through individual and team training budgets

Values

Our values, developed through an iterative process with all team members across the organisation, inform not only how we work generally but also how we treat the people we work with and for.

We care about our work and each other
We confront complexity with curiosity and flexibility
We collaborate to make positive change in the world
We cultivate excellence

AWO is an equal opportunity employer.

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