Research Officer

Company overview

Roma Foundation for Europe is an advocacy-focused foundation shaped by Roma leadership, knowledge, and strategy. Its headquarters are in Brussels, and it also operates teams in Berlin, Strasbourg, Belgrade, Bucharest, and Skopje.

The organization aims to strengthen an ecosystem that turns the talent, resilience, and expertise of Roma communities into a collective response to racism, economic hardship, political exclusion, and cultural marginalization. It brings together Roma communities, voters, workers, advocates, allies, and influential partners to drive structural change.

Using the Roma experience of adapting and building enterprises under persecution as a source of insight, the foundation positions Roma communities as contributors to solutions for wider European challenges. Its work centers on scalable approaches to issues related to the economy, politics, racism, culture, and identity across Europe.

Role summary

This is a full-time, on-site Research Officer position based in Berlin. The role focuses on planning and carrying out both qualitative and quantitative research on Roma communities, European policy, and wider social, economic, and cultural questions.

The position involves collecting, analyzing, and combining information from a range of sources, then turning that work into research briefs, policy papers, reports, and presentations for both internal and external stakeholders. The Research Officer will work in close coordination with advocacy, policy, and communications colleagues so that research directly supports campaigns, strategic choices, and stakeholder engagement.

Regular work also includes tracking important European and national policy changes, keeping research databases up to date, attending meetings and events, and building relationships with partner organizations, subject-matter experts, and community representatives.

Key responsibilities

• Plan and execute qualitative and quantitative research projects related to Roma communities, European policy, and broader social, economic, and cultural topics.
• Collect data, examine findings, and integrate insights from multiple information sources.
• Prepare research briefs, policy documents, reports, and presentations for varied audiences.
• Work alongside advocacy, policy, and communications teams so research strengthens campaigns and strategic decisions.
• Track policy developments at the European and national levels.
• Maintain and organize research databases.
• Attend meetings, events, and external engagements as needed.
• Engage with partner organizations, experts, and community representatives.

Candidate profile

• Strong capability in research and analysis, including study design, literature review, and interpretation of complex material.
• Solid grounding in statistics and quantitative methods, with experience using datasets and data analysis tools.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and accessible outputs.
• Ability to convert research findings into practical recommendations for advocacy, policy, or program development.
• Academic training in a relevant field, preferably at master’s level, such as social sciences, public policy, economics, statistics, human rights, or a similar discipline.
• Knowledge of European institutions, human rights frameworks, and issues affecting Roma communities or other marginalized groups is an advantage.
• Comfort working in a collaborative, multicultural, mission-driven environment and managing several priorities and deadlines independently.
• Fluent English communication skills, both written and spoken; additional European languages, especially those commonly used by Roma communities, are a plus.
• High ethical standards in research, including respect for data protection, informed consent, and community participation.

Additional information

This role is designed for someone who can combine rigorous research with practical policy impact in a mission-driven environment.