ABOUT THE ROLE
The Transparency International Secretariat (TI‑S) is currently seeking a Research Coordinator – Anti-Corruption Enforcement and Justice to join the Research & Knowledge Team and contribute to the implementation of projects supporting TI 2030 strategic commitment to “hold power to account for the common good”
TI is part of the Horizon‑funded RADAR consortium (Resisting Authoritarianism through Democratic Action and Resilience), a comparative and interdisciplinary project examining how autocratic practices emerge and how democratic actors can counter them. Within this consortium, Transparency International will deliver qualitative research focusing on anti-‑corruption enforcement, justice, and judicial integrity, including the misuse of corruption and anti-‑corruption measures to undermine the judiciary, as well as strategies that strengthen judicial resilience.
The Research Coordinator – Anti-Corruption Enforcement and Justice will conduct qualitative research, produce case studies, coordinate the day‑to‑day implementation of research activities, and support methodological coherence and research quality assurance across consortium partners. The role is accountable for project‑level delivery, ensuring that research activities, outputs, timelines, and quality standards are met in line with agreed research designs, donor requirements, and TI‑S processes.
The role operates within agreed research frameworks and organisational priorities and does not hold long‑term strategic or thematic ownership.
OVERVIEW OF KEY DIMENSIONS
Role Purpose: The Research Coordinator – Anti‑Corruption Enforcement and Justice will develop a theoretical framework on how corruption and anti‑corruption are used to undermine the judiciary and, based on this framework, will conduct and draft comparative qualitative case studies across multiple countries, as well as a research monograph synthesising the findings. The role also coordinates project‑level research activities and supports methodological coherence and research quality assurance across consortium partners, ensuring timely and high‑quality delivery in line with agreed research designs, donor requirements, and TI‑S processes.
Team: Research & Knowledge Team.
Reporting Line: Head of Research & Knowledge.
Starting Date: November 2026.
Contract Duration: From November 2026 to June 2028 [20 months].
Band: According to TI‑S internal salary structure; this position is aligned with band PF2, with a salary range of EUR 42.000–59.000 gross per year. Final salary placement will be determined based on the number of years of relevant professional experience.
Working Hours: full time [100%; 40 hours per week].
Location: Transparency International Secretariat (TI-S), Berlin/Germany.
MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES OF THE ROLE
Research and Knowledge Production
-
Develop and apply qualitative research frameworks to produce comparative case studies, ensuring methodological consistency across research outputs and consortium contributions.
-
Conduct qualitative research on corruption, anti‑corruption enforcement, and judicial manipulation, including desk research, comparative analysis, and process tracing.
-
Develop case studies, analytical papers, monographs, and other research outputs through drafting, reviewing, and editing content.
-
Compile, synthesise, and analyse findings from multiple sources into coherent, policy‑relevant research products.
-
Conduct research on judicial resilience and litigation strategies used by civil society and democratic actors to counter authoritarian or kleptocratic practices.
Research Coordination and Implementation
-
Implement assigned research activities related to anti‑corruption enforcement, justice, and judicial integrity, including conducting primary qualitative research, while coordinating with consortium partners to ensure alignment with agreed research designs, workplans, and timelines.
-
Coordinate and provide quality assurance for research conducted by an academic partner, including review of methodologies, interim outputs, and final deliverables.
-
Monitor research progress across assigned work packages, identify risks or delays, and propose practical solutions to ensure timely and high‑quality delivery.
Project and Process Management
-
Support work planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting in line with TI‑S procedures and donor requirements.
-
Coordinate inputs to research‑related and narrative reporting, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and quality.
-
Collaborate with Finance and project colleagues to support budget monitoring and forecasting related to assigned research activities.
Stakeholder Engagement and Representation
-
Liaise regularly with consortium partners, academic institutions, and internal stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and information flow.
-
Prepare and organise research‑related meetings, workshops, and events, including documentation before and after events.
-
When required, represent Transparency International in project‑related meetings, workshops, or fora within the scope of the role.
Knowledge Sharing and Team Contribution
-
Disseminate research outputs through blogs, briefings, presentations, workshops, and other knowledge‑sharing formats.
-
Stay abreast of developments related to AC enforcement, justice, judicial integrity, and authoritarian practices to inform ongoing work.
-
Contribute proactively and flexibly to the overall functioning of the Research & Knowledge Team.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
Experience and Qualifications
-
University degree in political science, law, sociology, public administration, or a related social science discipline with a strong research component.
-
Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in applied social science, legal, or policy research.
-
Demonstrated experience coordinating research activities in multi‑country, collaborative, or donor‑funded projects.
-
Experience conducting qualitative research, including methodologies such as process tracing, comparative case studies, and key informant interviews.
-
Demonstrable familiarity with the topics of judicial integrity, anti-corruption and/or autocratisation is highly desirable.
-
Experience working with or coordinating external research partners, including academic institutions, is a strong asset.
Skills and Competencies
-
Strong research design, analytical, drafting, and editing skills, with a high level of attention to quality control.
-
Proven organisational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, stakeholders, and deadlines.
-
Ability to analyse information, identify issues, and propose practical, project‑level solutions.
-
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and institutions.
-
Professional proficiency in written and spoken English; additional languages are an asset.
WHAT WE OFFER
By joining the Transparency International Secretariat, candidates can expect:
-
the opportunity to become part of the global movement against corruption and make a positive contribution to the work of TI in the field of transparency and accountability working on a wide range of relevant and challenging issues.
-
a role with purpose, working in a team of engaged and enthusiastic colleagues in the field of anti-corruption united by the desire to curb corruption and achieve meaningful impact.
-
an inspiring, stimulating, dynamic, flexible and international working environment with peers representing 45+ different nationalities and Getting Things Done (GTD) approach to work.
-
a high degree of collaboration and autonomy in a lean and agile organisation with flat hierarchies, streamlined decision- making processes and a shared leadership culture with servant leadership philosophy.
Staff at TI-S enjoy a competitive compensation & benefits package designed for staff well-being and work life balance, incl.:
-
a relocation package incl. sponsorship of work permit if needed and eligible.
-
financial contribution to German language classes.
-
generous time off with 30 days of annual leave per year and flexible working times around core hours.
-
remote-hybrid working model from within Germany.
-
the possibility of Work from Abroad for periods of time (currently for up to 30 working days per calendar year).
-
Friday afternoons are alternatively free or meeting-free during the summer months.
-
Sodexo Restaurant Checks with plenty of options near the office for reduced prices for meals.
-
reduced membership fees with Urban Sports Club.
-
mental wellbeing and counselling support by OpenUp.
-
discounted Deutschland Ticket.
-
a centrally located office in a vibrant metropolitan city with excellent public transportation connectivity at the river Spree.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV and cover letter in English, merged into one PDF file, via our TI website clicking on the vacant position and the button ‘Apply Online’:
Closing date for applications is 24.06.2026 12:00 pm CEST.
Only applications duly completed and received through the online recruitment system will be considered.
The Transparency International Secretariat is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where diversity is valued and where there is equality of opportunity. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and therefore welcome applications from qualified candidates of all regions, countries, cultures and backgrounds. Existing permission to work in Germany is not a selection criterion and TI-S supports successful candidates in the process for applying for a work permit, if needed.
Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis and we do not discriminate on the basis of national origin, race, colour or ethnic background, religious belief, sex, gender identity and expression or sexual orientation, marital or family status, age or ability. We kindly ask applicants to refrain from including in their application information relating to the above as well as from attaching photos.
DISCLAIMER
Please note that Transparency International does not charge any fees at any stage of its recruitment and selection process (whether at application, processing, testing, interviewing, traveling or otherwise). In addition, TI does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.
FURTHER INFORMATION
To learn more about Transparency International please visit our website and follow us on social media: Website: https://www.transparency.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anticorruption
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transparency-international/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transparency_international/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransparencyInternational
