The  Global Initiative for Digital Empowerment  (GIDE) is a strategic initiative of THE NEW INSTITUTE, a Hamburg-based institute of advanced studies and a platform to find answers to the most pressing ecological, economic and political challenges of our time. The GIDE (www.thegide.org) mission is to progress a model of digital governance devoted to human welfare through practically deliverable policy suggestions for pivotal policy makers. GIDE is made up of over 70 specialists from around the world, including policy experts, researchers, Internet technical experts, business people, security specialists and others.

We're looking for someone who is passionate about tech policy and eager to learn about complex issues in a rapidly-changing international environment.

GIDE seeks to bring new practical policy solutions and diverse international partners to ensure that the rules of the digital economy are more directed to the broad interests of humans, not just businesses and governments. Our human centred model is beyond mere user concerns, but rather is directed to all humans (including non-users) and seeks to improve their well-being not just through material gain but also in optimising their social solidarity, agency, and environmental sustainability.

GIDE works at the intersection of technology and policy and covers a range of policy issues, including but not limited to:

• Data Governance;
• Platform governance;
• Artificial intelligence;
• Cybersecurity and encryption;
• Digital geopolitics;
• Government surveillance;
• Digital market competition; and ;
• Privacy, free expression, and civil liberties.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute research, writing, and technical expertise (as appropriate) to regulatory filings, policy papers and other projects;
• Help develop reports such as GIDE’s Empowering Digital Citizens report;
• Conduct in-depth research and writing on a variety of topics;
• Drafting memos, blogs, talking points, press releases and other documents;
• Work with the team to help coordinate international policy lobbying efforts;
• Identify and analyse emerging issues in tech policy;
• Track international legislation related to relevant issues;
• Assist with administrative tasks and event planning;
• Be a key liaison with fellow staff members in Hamburg and with the members of GIDE; and
• Other tasks as directed by the Co-Chair.

The qualified intern may have the opportunity to author or co-author blog posts, articles, research papers, as well as policy submissions to governments. The person may also be asked to attend events overseas.

This is a paid intern position. It will expose the successful candidate to some of the world’s leading figures in the world of Internet Governance. International travel to support key events is likely.

Qualifications:

Ideal candidates for the internship position will possess the following characteristics:

• At least a bachelor’s degree, if not a master’s, or equivalent skills, in economics, public policy, law, international economics or politics, international trade, or a related field;
• Demonstrated interest in relevant policy work;
• Proven research and analytical skills;
• Fluency in written and spoken English. Similar skills in another European language, particularly German would be a very significant plus;
• Demonstrated success as a careful researcher who detests errors – acute attention to detail;
• Exceptional writing skills—especially an ability to write clearly, succinctly, logically, and persuasively for policymakers and lay stakeholder audiences;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and/or Google Docs;
• Comfort discussing legal or policy issues with non-expert audiences;
• Technical knowledge of Internet-related tools and infrastructure a plus;
• Keen interest in technology, innovation, and public policy;
• Knowledge of business economics would be a significant plus;
• Highly proactive and flexible, with an ability to work simultaneously on several projects in a dynamic, rapidly moving environment;
• Highly productive and efficient;
• The ability to travel on short notice to Europe and the USA for relatively short work visits is essential.

The position is based in Sydney and will work closely with the Co-Chair.

The ideal applicant will be a detail-oriented, intrinsically motivated self-starter who is inquisitive, industrious, and thoroughly enjoys finding, organising, and analysing complex issues. The applicant should be interested and able to develop innovative insights, analysis, and authorship while also thriving in a collaborative, fast-paced, distributed team environment. She or he will be a quick study and highly productive coordinator, researcher, writer, and thinker.