Application Guide

How to Apply for Public Affairs Manager

at Ecosia

🏢 About Ecosia

Ecosia is a unique search engine that uses its profits to fund tree planting and operates as a CO2-neutral platform, making it a mission-driven company for those passionate about climate action and digital sustainability. Working here means contributing to a business model that prioritizes environmental impact over profit, with a transparent and ethical approach to technology.

About This Role

As Public Affairs Manager, you'll shape Ecosia's policy advocacy on critical digital and sustainability issues, such as digital markets regulation and AI policy, at the EU and national levels. Your work will directly influence how Ecosia competes and grows, ensuring its mission to fund tree planting remains viable in a regulated digital landscape.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with monitoring EU policy news and drafting a briefing on a new regulatory proposal affecting search engines. You could then join a virtual meeting with a German MEP's office to discuss Ecosia's stance on digital sovereignty, followed by writing a consultation response on AI regulation. Afternoon might involve coordinating with the communications team to align policy messaging with a campaign launch.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Ecosia Is Looking For

  • Has 3+ years in public affairs or policy, specifically with deep knowledge of European competition policy, the Digital Markets Act (DMA), and platform regulation.
  • Understands the intersection of digital policy and sustainability, and can articulate how regulations like the DMA affect a mission-driven tech company like Ecosia.
  • Possesses excellent English communication skills for drafting policy papers and engaging stakeholders; German fluency is a strong plus for national-level advocacy.
  • Is adept at monitoring legislative developments and translating complex policy into actionable business insights for a non-traditional tech company.

📝 Tips for Applying to Ecosia

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with the DMA, digital platform regulation, or AI policy, not just general public affairs work.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your policy expertise to Ecosia's mission of sustainability and tree planting, showing how you can advocate for both.

3

Demonstrate your understanding of Ecosia's business model: a search engine that competes with Google but with a non-profit-like mission; explain how you'd navigate that tension.

4

If you have experience working with EU institutions (Commission, Parliament), mention specific dossiers you've engaged with, like the DMA or Digital Services Act.

5

Show you can work remotely and independently, as this role is based in Germany but remote; mention any experience with virtual stakeholder engagement.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your passion for Ecosia's mission and how your policy work can directly support tree planting and climate action.", 'Highlight your expertise in European digital policy, especially the DMA, and your ability to advocate for smaller players in a market dominated by Big Tech.', 'Demonstrate your strategic thinking: how you would monitor regulations and proactively position Ecosia to benefit from or shape policy changes.', 'Mention any bilingual capability (German/English) and your comfort with remote, cross-cultural collaboration.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Ecosia's latest blog posts and transparency reports to understand their current policy stances and public communications.
  • → Study the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA) to grasp the regulatory landscape Ecosia operates in, especially regarding search engine obligations.
  • → Look into Ecosia's competitors and partners in the digital sustainability space, such as other green tech companies or NGOs they collaborate with.
  • → Review recent EU policy debates on AI regulation and digital sovereignty, as these are mentioned in the job description.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach advocating for Ecosia's interests under the Digital Markets Act, given Ecosia is a smaller search engine?
2 What is your experience with drafting policy papers or consultation responses, and can you share an example where your input influenced a regulation?
3 How do you stay updated on EU legislative developments, and how would you prioritize issues for Ecosia?
4 Describe a time you built a relationship with a policymaker or stakeholder that led to a positive outcome for your organization.
5 How would you balance Ecosia's environmental mission with its need to compete commercially in a regulated market?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying without showing specific knowledge of Ecosia's business model and mission; generic applications that treat it like any other tech company will fail.
  • Overlooking the need for German language skills; while not required, not mentioning any German ability could be a missed opportunity.
  • Focusing only on general public affairs experience without demonstrating deep expertise in digital policy (DMA, AI, etc.), which is the core of this role.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Ecosia!

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