Expert AI, Social Media & Big Tech at Stichting Weerbare Democratie (Dutch speaking)

24-38 hours p/w | Amsterdam

About Stichting Weerbare Democratie

Stichting Weerbare Democratie (Foundation for Resilient Democracy) was established in April 2025 to strengthen Dutch democracy against destructive developments. We are an incubator and fund working to strengthen the democratic rule of law by supporting existing organizations and setting up new initiatives where needed.

We work on:

  • Conducting solid research into what truly works to strengthen our democracy, and translating these insights into concrete practical tools

  • Actively sharing the knowledge and experience we gain with the broader field of democracy strengthening

  • Identifying promising initiatives, assessing their potential, and providing financial and operational support to increase their impact

  • Setting up new projects and interventions in areas where we identify gaps and missed opportunities in the landscape

  • Building a strong network of experts, scientists, and practitioners, and actively facilitating these connections

The organization

The team currently consists of a Director, Head of Research, Head of Rule of Law Program, Expert Politics & Civil Service, and an Operations Manager who keeps daily operations running and supports the projects. We are now looking for several people to research effective interventions and contribute to developing new civil society organizations.

What will you do?

In this role, you are our expert and scout for the domain of AI, Social Media & Big Tech. You look at the Dutch and Brussels landscape through a fund lens: what initiatives already exist, what is missing, and where can we as a fund make a difference?

Your main tasks:

  • Mapping the landscape: You map out which organizations, researchers, and interventions are already active in the field of AI, social media, and big tech in relation to democracy. You already know this field or can quickly understand it.

  • Identifying opportunities: You identify gaps, missed opportunities, and promising initiatives that could use our support - financially or operationally.

  • Scoping and advising: You help determine where we as a fund can best deploy our resources. What are the most impactful interventions? Which organizations have potential? Where is a new initiative needed?

  • Network and connections: You build and maintain relationships with tech experts, researchers, policymakers, and civil society organizations. You facilitate connections and knowledge sharing.

  • From analysis to action: You translate your findings into concrete recommendations for our fund and help develop new interventions where needed.

Clarification of the role: we are not looking for an academic or think tank researcher who sets up a complete report or research program. It is more of a strategic advisory role.

Essential:

  • You speak Dutch fluently.

  • Expert in the field: You have demonstrable knowledge of and experience in the domain of digital democracy, tech policy, disinformation, algorithms, or related topics. You know the key players, organizations, and developments - or can quickly map them.

  • Fund lens: You can look at issues with a strategic, fund perspective: where is the greatest impact? Which interventions are evidence-based? What is the added value of investing? Experience in the nonprofit sector, philanthropy, or grantmaking is a strong asset.

  • Networker and connector: You easily build relationships and facilitate connections between different actors in the field.

  • Analytical and strategic: You are a systems thinker who understands complex issues and sees connections between different initiatives and developments.

  • Generalist with broad perspective: You see the connections between politics, policy, media, technology, and social dynamics.

  • Entrepreneurial: As a young organization, we are still building. Therefore, we are looking for someone with a startup mentality who dares to pioneer: you seize opportunities, experiment with new approaches, learn quickly from what works, and pivot flexibly when necessary.

  • Strong communicator: You can clearly explain and present complex ideas to different audiences.

  • Team player: You work easily with others, communicate proactively, and are flexible in form and process.

Experience with technology, digital media, online communication, or tech policy. Knowledge of algorithms, disinformation, or digital democracy is an asset, as is experience and a network in nonprofit or philanthropic work in this direction.

Additionally, we value:

  • Professional experience in policy, nonprofit, government, tech sector, journalism, or a related field

  • Knowledge of democratic processes, social cohesion, and developments that put pressure on the rule of law

  • A network in the relevant domain

We are looking for people at different levels, from mid-level to senior. Please let us know what your experience is and how you could fit with us.

Practical details

  • Start date: February/March '26

  • Duration: Temporary employment contract, with the possibility of a longer period if mutually satisfied

  • Work location: Vijzelgracht Amsterdam at least 2 days per week, rest remote possible

  • Salary indication: €4,000-7,000 p/m (based on 38 hours) depending on seniority

  • Employment conditions: Holiday pay, 13th month, laptop, phone allowance, pension plan, development budget, 7 work weeks of paid vacation per year

Application procedure

Send an email to danielle.beijerbergen@weerbaredemocratie.nl with:

  • A short bio including your main motivations

  • A description of relevant work experience, a similar project you have done, including your approach and results

  • A link to your LinkedIn profile or CV

If there's a mismatch, we'll give you good feedback.

Closing date: January 25, 2026

Interviews: Ongoing

Start date: February/March 2026, as early as possible

Inclusivity

Stichting Weerbare Democratie is committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment. We encourage everyone to apply, regardless of age, physical abilities, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics.

Research shows that some groups only apply when they meet all job requirements, while others respond when they only partially recognize themselves in the profile. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the mentioned criteria. Motivation and eagerness to learn are just as important to us as experience!