FSFE is hiring: interns and trainees for legal, policy and technical areas
We are looking for interns and trainees experienced in legal, policy or technical fields. The persons will work 35 hours per week with our team in the FSFE's Berlin office. There will be coordination with remote staff and volunteers, and depending on the work area opportunity to participate in events and meetings throughout Europe.
About the FSFE
Free Software Foundation Europe is a charity that empowers users to control technology. Software is deeply involved in all aspects of our lives; and it is important that this technology empowers rather than restricts us. Free Software gives everybody the rights to use, understand, adapt, and share software. These rights help support other fundamental freedoms like freedom of speech, press, and privacy.
The FSFE helps individuals and organisations to understand how Free Software contributes to freedom, transparency, and self-determination. It enhances users' rights by abolishing barriers to Free Software adoption, encourages people to use and develop Free Software, and provides resources to enable everyone to further promote Free Software in Europe.
We drive numerous activities and campaigns to reach our targets, for example "Public Money Public Code", "Save Code Share" and the REUSE initiative.
What we can offer
We work together with decision makers, licensing experts in the world's largest Legal Network on these topics, facilitated by the FSFE, and Free Software organisations all over Europe and beyond. This work is either done directly by staff or together with volunteers, as well as other Free Software and digital rights associations around Europe.
You will enjoy:
- A challenging and exciting time with a dynamic NGO working internationally.
- A close-up view of organisational and community processes.
- A chance to take the initiative and put your own ideas into practice.
- The opportunity to meet and work with Free Software advocates across Europe.
Your profile and responsibilities
We are looking for a reliable team player who is passionate about driving new initiatives to make the world a better place for further generations. You should have some experience or a considerable interest in Free Software. Your field of study doesn't matter, but you should be able to relate it to our work. Traditionally, a lot of interns in the FSFE have a legal or political science background, but we've also had excellent interns working with us with a more technical or other social science background.
In the day to day work, you will:
- Contribute to FSFE's ongoing projects, working with one or more of our staff and volunteers.
- Communicate with contacts from the FSFE community, NGOs, industry, and public administrations.
- Coordinate volunteers and others in the work on various projects.
- General office tasks.
- Find your own strengths, and do something you care about.
Details and formal requirements
Location: Berlin, Germany. Please note the FSFE has no ability to help with accommodation or travel, you will need to cover this yourself and arrange this prior to your internship.
Duration: At least 4 months full time at 35 hours per week, starting as agreed (earliest from January 2019). Longer periods are favoured.
Compensation: This traineeship is compensated with € 1340,73 gross per month.
You must be fluent in English. You will be required to show that you can legally work in Germany; either by being an EU citizen, or by having a residence and work permit for the duration. The FSFE can not help you in getting either of these documents, but we will accept them if you have them.
You must also have a German tax number, which you get by registering with the residents registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) in Germany. This should ideally be done before starting the employment, or at latest on the first days of your employment.
How to apply
To apply please send a maximum one-page cover letter, reference letters and/or certificates and a maximum two-page CV (only PDFs are accepted) by email to jobs@fsfe.org subject "Trainee/Intern 2019". Please do not include pictures of yourself in the application. There is no immediate closing date for applications but we recommend to apply as early as possible as the open positions are limited. We will conduct interviews with candidates as soon as possible for both sides. Your personal data will be deleted 3 months after we take a decision.
Free Software is meant to serve everyone regardless of their age, ability or disability, gender identity, sex, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Hence, we encourage applications from all backgrounds and promise to judge all applications on merit, without reference to any of the characteristics listed. To promote diversity and equality in the Free Software community, we shall give preference to applicants who identify as part of a traditionally marginalised demographic in technology for applications of equal strength.