Vacancies

Next available volunteering role: 26 January 2026 or immediate start. 

Voluntary position, based at our office in Clerkenwell, London
Full-time or part-time (3-4 days per week for a minimum of three months)
Closing date and interviews: recruitment on rolling basis
Suitable for: Legal researchers or Lawyers qualified in any jurisdiction (there is no minimum PQE requirement) with expertise in international human rights and humanitarian law
Fluency in English is essential. Fluency in Turkish and/or French would be highly desirable

The Democratic Progress Institute (DPI) is seeking to appoint several legal volunteers with an interest in our work relating to conflict resolution. We are offering a number of internships to outstanding candidates. Admission to our internship program is on a rolling-basis, lasting at least three months, and is unpaid. The successful candidates will be current or recent postgraduates or at post-doctoral level.

Volunteers recruited to DPI’s International Law Department will assist with all areas of its work, in particular, current projects relating to the implementation of ECtHR judgments in Turkey and legal analysis on matters related to international humanitarian law. Other work could include legal research, monitoring and analysis of human rights issues, documentation/organisation of legal materials, analysis of ECtHR judgments, preparing and drafting communications to United Nations bodies, contributing to casework, preparing papers for submission to the Human Dimension of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, editing reports, and providing general support to the legal team. In return, we will provide experience of and insight into the world of international human rights litigation and exposure to legal research at the forefront of conflict-resolution and peace-building.

The suitable candidate will be available ideally full time (Monday to Friday, 9.30 to 17.30) but other arrangements can be made. You will have the opportunity to assist with the general work of the legal department for a period of three to six months, with a particular focus on our legal case-work and on the implementation of ECtHR judgments in Turkey. Candidates are expected to have excellent verbal and written English skills, a strong visual eye, good attention to detail and strong organisational skills. Working well either alone or as part of a team, you will have experience of working with a diverse range of people.

Those interested should send a CV and Cover Letter stating your interests and experience. Submission of a 2 to 3 page writing sample on any area of interest to the applicant is highly recommended. The candidates will be selected on the basis of their experience and suitability for the role. Please also state your availability and how many days you are available per week (minimum requirement of 3 days).

Please send your application to  skarakas@democraticprogress.org 

For virtual internships no visa requirements are necessary. However if the intern intends to be in the UK we can can only offer positions to interns who already have a right to work in the UK. 

DPI SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT 

DPI maintains zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All employment offers are conditional upon the receipt of satisfactory references and the signing of our code of conduct, Safeguarding Policy with a particular focus on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Child Safeguarding. This position will also be subject to robust reference and background screening checks.

Next available volunteering role: Deadline 27 August 2025
The Democratic Progress Institute (DPI) is seeking to welcome Turkish speaking  volunteers to work within the Institute’s Programmes Team. Key areas of focus include conflict resolution and democratic transition processes in Turkey and Syria. Each volunteer will have the opportunity to work closely with – and learn from – the Programme Manager and other team members in planning and implementing DPI project activities, which include roundtable meetings in the region and international comparative study visits, as well as conducting project related research in the Institute’s main areas of interest, which include governance and constitutional reform; DDR and SSR; gender and conflict; the role of the media in conflict resolution and democratic reform process; and transitional justice among others.

DPI seeks candidates with a strong interest in international relations, conflict resolution and democracy building. These volunteer placements begin on a rolling basis and typically last three to six months, are unpaid, and preferably full time. A daily stipend is provided for lunch expenses. The successful candidates are likely to be current or recent postgraduates or at post-doctoral level.

Candidate Profile Project Skills:
The successful candidates may be invited to attend external conferences and DPI activities both in Turkey and elsewhere, and to write briefs and take detailed notes on behalf of the Institute, therefore touch-typing/transcribing experience is valued. Projects involve a high level of external communication with the diverse stakeholders engaged with DPI’s work, therefore excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.

Much of this role will involve administrative assistance to the Programme Manager, including drafting correspondence and filing documentation. Administrative and organisational skills are key, and an enthusiasm for carrying out practical tasks in addition to research or activity related work is necessary in this role. These may include budget preparation, completion of expense reports, logistical planning and assistance.

The successful candidate will be invited to carry out in-depth desk research on behalf of DPI, which will feed into the Institute’s activities. This may include detailed research projects relating to the Institute’s main areas of work, high level briefs, and shorter, ad-hoc research tasks. Excellent research, writing and proofreading skills are highly valued. Many research papers worked on by interns are published on the Institute’s website and used as a resource for programme activities and meetings.

DPI’s Programmes Team operates within a fast paced environment, often planning and implementing ambitious projects to tight deadlines and within high pressured contexts on the ground. It is important that the successful candidate is self-motivated and able to work successfully independently and with minimal supervision.

IT skills are essential (Word, Adobe, PowerPoint) and project management experience is welcome.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a proven interest in and knowledge of DPI’s areas of focus; namely conflict resolution and democratic advancement (including but not limited to the MENA region).

The successful candidate will have an excellent command of written and spoken English and Turkish

Please send an email in English  with the subject line ‘Programmes Volunteer’ along with your CV, a covering letter stating your interests, experience and availability, and a writing sample of no longer than 1,000 words to:

operations.support@democraticprogress.org

Telephone: (0) 207 405 3835

For virtual internships no visa requirements are necessary. However if the intern intends to be in the UK we can can only offer positions to interns who already have a right to work in the UK 

DPI SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT 

DPI maintains zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All employment offers are conditional upon the receipt of satisfactory references and the signing of our code of conduct, Safeguarding Policy with a particular focus on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Child Safeguarding. This position will also be subject to robust reference and background screening checks.

Next available position: June 2025 or immediate start. Deadline:  16 June 2025.

The Democratic Progress Institute is currently seeking to recruit a Funding and Development Intern for 3-5 days per week for a minimum of 3 months.

The position will focus on assisting the Finance and Fundraising team and tasks may include but are not limited to: research (development and grant-related, legal, political, policy, organisational), data entry, writing for publication, drafting, summarising, proof reading and editing.

Excellent written English skills and the ability to carry out administrative duties are requirements for this role. Moreover, the successful candidate will have an interest in fundraising as well as monitoring and evaluation and possibly already show some familiarity with the principles of fundraising within the NGO/charity sector. Candidates with an academic background in peace and conflict studies in the MENA region and/or human rights are especially encouraged to apply.

Also desirable is experience with Canva or other related software. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and successful candidates will be contacted for an informal interview.

How to apply:

To apply, please send a CV and covering letter outlining experience, qualifications and motivations to operations.support@democraticprogress.org with ‘Funding and Development Intern’ in the subject line of the email.

In your covering letter, please clearly indicate how many days per week you would be able to intern as well as any other matters relating to availability.

Please note that this position is voluntary but we do offer a small daily stipend for lunch.

For virtual internships no visa requirements are necessary. However if the intern intends to be in the UK, unfortunately, we can only offer volunteer positions to UK citizens and those who have the right to the work in the UK.

DPI SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT 

DPI maintains zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All employment offers are conditional upon the receipt of satisfactory references and the signing of our code of conduct, Safeguarding Policy with a particular focus on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Child Safeguarding. This position will also be subject to robust reference and background screening checks.

Next Volunteering Opportunity : Immediate Start or First Week of May 2025.

A unique opportunity to get involved in a conflict resolution and peace building organisation based in central London.

Full-time or part-time (3-4 days per week for a minimum of three months)
Closing date and interviews: recruitment on rolling basis

Fluency in English and computer literacy is essential.

The Democratic Progress Institute (DPI) is seeking to appoint several  Law Records Volunteer Intern

with an interest in our work relating to Human Rights. We are offering a number of internships to outstanding candidates. Admission to our internship program is on a rolling-basis, lasting at least three months, and is unpaid. The successful candidates will be a current undergraduate or a recent international law, political science or international relations graduate.

Volunteers recruited to DPI’s International Law Department will assist documentation/organisation of human rights issues, legal materials, ECtHR judgments.

The suitable candidate will be available ideally full time (Monday to Friday, 9.30 to 17.30) but other arrangements can be made. You will have the opportunity to assist with the general work of the legal department for a period of three to six months, with a particular focus on our legal casework and on the implementation of ECtHR judgments. Candidates are expected to have excellent verbal and written English skills, a strong visual eye, good attention to detail and strong organisational skills. Working well either alone or as part of a team, you will have experience of working with a diverse range of people.

Those interested should send a CV and Cover Letter stating your interests and experience. The candidates will be selected on the basis of their experience and suitability for the role. Please also state your availability and how many days you are available per week (minimum requirement of 3 days).

Please send your application to Akinola  email address   operations.support@democraticprogress.org 

This is an in person internship and therefore it’s imperative that successful candidates have the  right to work in the UK. 

Note this is an unpaid internship, however interns will receive a stipend for lunch.

Next available volunteering role: March 2025
The Democratic Progress Institute (DPI) is seeking to welcome volunteers to work within the Institute’s Programmes Team. Key areas of focus include conflict resolution and democratic transition processes in Turkey and Syria. Each volunteer will have the opportunity to work closely with – and learn from – the Programme Manager and other team members in planning and implementing DPI project activities, which include roundtable meetings in the region and international comparative study visits, as well as conducting project related research in the Institute’s main areas of interest, which include governance and constitutional reform; DDR and SSR; gender and conflict; the role of the media in conflict resolution and democratic reform process; and transitional justice among others.

DPI seeks candidates with a strong interest in international relations, conflict resolution and democracy building. These volunteer placements begin on a rolling basis and typically last three to six months, are unpaid, and preferably full time. A daily stipend is provided for lunch expenses. The successful candidates are likely to be current or recent postgraduates or at post-doctoral level.

Candidate Profile Project Skills:
The successful candidates may be invited to attend external conferences and DPI activities both in Turkey and elsewhere, and to write briefs and take detailed notes on behalf of the Institute, therefore touch-typing/transcribing experience is valued. Projects involve a high level of external communication with the diverse stakeholders engaged with DPI’s work, therefore excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.

Much of this role will involve administrative assistance to the Programme Manager, including drafting correspondence and filing documentation. Administrative and organisational skills are key, and an enthusiasm for carrying out practical tasks in addition to research or activity related work is necessary in this role. These may include budget preparation, completion of expense reports, logistical planning and assistance.

The successful candidate will be invited to carry out in-depth desk research on behalf of DPI, which will feed into the Institute’s activities. This may include detailed research projects relating to the Institute’s main areas of work, high level briefs, and shorter, ad-hoc research tasks. Excellent research, writing and proofreading skills are highly valued. Many research papers worked on by interns are published on the Institute’s website and used as a resource for programme activities and meetings.

DPI’s Programmes Team operates within a fast paced environment, often planning and implementing ambitious projects to tight deadlines and within high pressured contexts on the ground. It is important that the successful candidate is self-motivated and able to work successfully independently and with minimal supervision.

IT skills are essential (Word, Adobe, PowerPoint) and project management experience is welcome.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a proven interest in and knowledge of DPI’s areas of focus; namely conflict resolution and democratic advancement (including but not limited to the MENA region).

Please send an email with the subject line ‘Programmes Volunteer’ along with your CV, a covering letter stating your interests, experience and availability, and a writing sample of no longer than 1,000 words to:

operations.support@democraticprogress.org

Telephone: (0) 207 405 3835

Unfortunately, we can only offer volunteer positions to UK citizens and those who have the right to the work in the UK.

DPI SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT 

DPI maintains zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All employment offers are conditional upon the receipt of satisfactory references and the signing of our code of conduct, Safeguarding Policy with a particular focus on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Child Safeguarding. This position will also be subject to robust reference and background screening checks.

Next Volunteering Opportunity : Deadline 14 December  2024

A unique opportunity to get involved in a conflict resolution and peace building organisation based in central London. DPI aims to foster an environment of sharing information, ideas, knowledge, and concerns for furthering of democratic solutions and outcomes. Our work supports the development of a pluralistic political arena capable of generating consensus and ownership over work on key issues at political and local levels.

The role includes the provision of administrative assistance to the CEO. Responsibilities will include arranging meetings, travel, and accommodation and maintaining the schedule of the CEO. The successful candidate should be able to come to the office five days a week , this can be full time or part time.  to the office

Specific Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Maintain CEO’s diary,
• Prioritise all incoming events inquiries for CEO and manage travel schedule,
• Respond to and coordinate responses to inquiries for CEO by mail, e-mail, and phone
• Carry out ad hoc small-scale research and analysis
• Prepare briefing papers and speeches as necessary
• Organise and maintain the department and files of the CEO’s office including registering and archiving materials
• Ensure smooth organisational communication and at times makes changes in procedures to deal with variations in workload
• Prepare for and take minutes at meetings, including Board meetings
• Other tasks and responsibilities as necessary.

Qualifications and Person Specification:

The successful candidate should need to meet the following criteria:

• Preferably holds a university degree in  Law , however a degree in international relations, political sciences, or related fields are also acceptable.
• Excellent communication skills with an emphasis on written and spoken English plus analytical skills
• Strong administrative skills
• A keen attention to detail and ability to prioritise as well as multitask
• Flexible and resourceful approach to work and a “can do” attitude
• Professional demeanour when giving and taking information in writing, in person, and over the phone
• Capacity to work in a highly pressured environment, while remaining calm
• Ability to take initiative and prioritise tasks, excellent time-management, problem-prevention, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Willingness to travel as necessary
• Ability to work on their own initiative as well as work as a team player.

In addition to daily voucher , there will be a stipend for travel expenses.

For applications send an email with the subject line ‘Administrative Intern’ along with your CV, and a cover letter stating your interests, experience and availability to Akinola Williams email: operations.support@democraticprogress.org

Next available volunteering role: November 2023

The Democratic Progress Institute (DPI) is seeking to welcome volunteers to work within the Institute’s Programmes Team. Key areas of focus include conflict resolution and democratic transition processes in Turkey and Syria. Each volunteer will have the opportunity to work closely with – and learn from – the Programme Team in planning and implementing DPI project activities, which include roundtable meetings in the region and international comparative study visits, as well as conducting project related research in the Institute’s main areas of interest, which include governance and constitutional reform; DDR and SSR; gender and conflict; the role of the media in conflict resolution and democratic reform process; and transitional justice among others.

DPI seeks candidates with a strong interest in international relations, conflict resolution and democracy building.

 These volunteer placements begin on a rolling basis and typically last three to six months, are unpaid. A daily stipend is provided for lunch expenses. The successful candidates are likely to be current or recent postgraduates or at post-doctoral level.

Candidate Profile Project Skills:
The successful candidates may be invited to attend external conferences and DPI activities both in Turkey and elsewhere, and to write briefs and take detailed notes on behalf of the Institute, with a view to help in  post eye catching visuals on social media.

Experience in Social Media strategy development and the use of various social media platforms will be essential. Skills in graphic design, photoshop and video editing as also required.

Projects involve a high level of external communication with the diverse stakeholders engaged with DPI’s work, therefore excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.

IT skills are essential (Word, Adobe, PowerPoint) and project management experience is welcome.

DPI’s Programmes Team operates within a fast paced environment, often planning and implementing ambitious projects to tight deadlines and within high pressured contexts on the ground. It is important that the successful candidate is self-motivated and able to work successfully independently and with minimal supervision.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a proven interest in and knowledge of DPI’s areas of focus; namely conflict resolution and democratic advancement (including but not limited to the MENA region).

Please send an email with the subject line ‘Programmes Volunteer’ along with your CV, a covering letter stating your interests, experience and availability, and a sample of your work to:

operations.support@democraticprogress.org

Telephone: (0) 207 405 3835

Please take note that this is an unpaid position though a stipend is given for lunch.

For virtual internships no visa requirements are necessary. However if the intern intends to be in the UK we can can only offer positions to interns who already have a right to work in the UK.

DPI SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT 

DPI maintains zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All employment offers are conditional upon the receipt of satisfactory references and the signing of our code of conduct, Safeguarding Policy with a particular focus on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Child Safeguarding. This position will also be subject to robust reference and background screening checks.