Play the Game seeks researcher with a strong interest in international sports politics

Are you passionate about promoting democratic values in the world of sports? Can you turn complex knowledge into impactful and credible communication? Do you bring a sharp analytical perspective to sports politics?

If so, you may be the new team member we are looking for to strengthen Play the Game in our efforts to promote democracy, transparency, and freedom of expression in international sports.

About Play the Game

Play the Game is an international leader in its field, and through conferences, research, and communication we aim to qualify to the public debate about the development, values, and societal importance of international sport.

We focus on a wide range of issues including how sports is organised and financed, the rights of athletes, human rights, power structures, corruption, illegal betting, and the use of sport as a political tool.

We aim to shed light on the darker side of sports, put challenges on the agenda and promote sustainable solutions. Currently, we are coordinating an international effort to set up an independent international body to oversee the most urgent integrity challenges to sport worldwide.

We work with a wide range of stakeholders in sport including sport leaders, national politicians, academics, journalists, athletes, and human rights activists. 

Play the Game is based in Aarhus, Denmark, and is part of the Danish Institute for Sports Studies (Idan) which is also home to the Danish Institute for Non-Formal Education (Vifo). The overall objective of the institute is to conduct research and initiate debate about sports and civil society nationally and internationally. 

About you

We are looking for a new team member who can demonstrate high professional standards in analysis and knowledge production, with excellent communication skills, and a keen interest in the intersection of sport and politics.

You should be able to navigate the complex landscape of sports politics and understand how knowledge can shape debates and set the agenda.

Knowledge of international politics and/or sports policy will be an advantage. We expect you to have a relevant background in media or social sciences such as political science or sociology.

In this role, you will be responsible for designing, conducting, and producing various types of research and communication projects. 

We expect you to be:

• flexible in your approach to your tasks and able to work both independently and in collaboration with colleagues and external partners.
  
  
• proactive and able to manage projects and processes with several international partners.
  
  
• curious about data, knowledge and political perspectives and motivated to challenge established narratives.

Last, but not least, you must have skills above average in oral and written English. Knowledge of other main languages is an advantage. You must be prepared to learn Danish if you do not already master the Danish language.

About the role

Your primary affiliation will be with Play the Game, but your competencies may occasionally be required for other projects at the institute.

As a starting point, we are interested in an employee who will be based at our offices in the heart of Aarhus. However, given Play the Game's international profile, we are open to other arrangements for the right candidate.

The Danish Institute for Sports Studies employs 30 full and part-time skilled colleagues in an environment characterised by personal freedom, flexibility, and friendliness.

Interviews will be held on Monday 16 September and the second round on Wednesday 18 September, both in Aarhus. If you are selected for an interview and travel from abroad, we may decide to complete the interview online.

Your contract will be negotiated on the basis of Danish labour agreements. We intend to fill the position by 1 November 2024 or as soon as possible after that date.

For further information, please contact senior analyst Stanis Elsborg at stanis@playthegame.org or managing director Troels Rasmussen at troels.rasmussen@idan.dk.

You may also check our websites www.playthegame.org, www.idan.dk, and www.vifo.dk.

Please submit your application, including – but not limited to – your motivation for applying for the role, your qualifications, what you can bring to the team, and your CV in English. Additionally, attach your exam certificates. Combine all documents into a single pdf file and send it to job@idan.dk with 'Play the Game researcher' as the subject line of your email. The closing date is Wednesday 11 September at noon CET.