Service
The IT and Research Infrastructure, Communications, Finance, and Human Resources and Organisation departments support the work of the Executive Board and research departments.
IT and Research Infrastructure
The IT and Research Infrastructure Department combines two former service departments, Library and Information Technology. The department's function is to support the institute's research by providing the necessary infrastructure and services. The department, which also constitutes a program area in the program budget, allocates organizational and technical infrastructure for the documentation and presentation of research results.
- More information on the library service
- More information on the research activities of the department
Communications Department
Political consulting is a core mandate of DIW Berlin. In that context, we aim to reach the public and provide firmer empirical footing for economic and socio-political debates. Achieving this requires that the institute’s research results are understandable for the public and available in various formats, including press releases and print and online publications such as the DIW Wochenbericht and DIW Weekly Report.
The department engages in a wide range of communication activities, ranging from media and public relations, event management, and social media to managing the library. The Communication Department works closely together with the research departments in carrying out their tasks.
Finance
Employees are DIW Berlin’s most important asset. The Finance Department is responsible for all questions concerning human resources, supports the departments in the search for new employees, and looks after the guests at DIW Berlin.
Given that the institute is primarily funded with federal and state tax money, we have the obligation to manage our budget responsibly.
Finance contributes to this task by carrying out financial planning, issuing the monthly and annual reports, and assuming responsibility for the entire bookkeeping process. Additionally, it does controlling, for example by producing monthly reports for the Executive Board and department managers.
Human Resources and Organisation
The Human Resources and Organisation Department offers in-house services to DIW Berlin’s Executive Board and to the department directors, employees, doctoral students, and guests from Germany and abroad.
The most important resource at DIW Berlin is its qualified staff. The Human Resources and Organisation Department handles administrative personnel matters and all other questions concerning human resources. It supports the Executive Board and the departments in recruiting and developing employees.
Third-party Funding Management
The Third-Party Funding Management Service Department is responsible for third-party funding and contract budgets. The department oversees project budgets, communicates with project managers and funding agencies on all financial matters, and plans third-party funding for ongoing projects. It supports applications in the scientific departments, takes care of time recording for project staff, and is responsible for and available to the institute in all matters relating to ongoing projects. The third-party funding budget generated €17.1 million in 2023.
Strategic Controlling Staff Unit
The Strategic Controlling staff unit is the central office for planning and strategic development within the DIW Berlin Executive Board. We are responsible for traditional controlling tasks such as the institute's internal cost and performance accounting, annual and medium-term budget planning, and risk management. Our reporting on financial and output figures includes year-to-date target/actual analyses and (medium-term) forecasts with accompanying recommendations for action.
Legal and Procurement Staff Unit
The Legal and Procurement Department (RuB) reports to the Executive Board and assesses all important legal matters at DIW. This includes contractual and other civil law issues (procurement contracts, research collaborations, copyright and trademark law, IT law) as well as issues of administrative or other public law (higher education law, media law, compliance, etc.).
The RuB department is also responsible for organizing and monitoring all procurement activities at DIW Berlin (i.e., the process of procuring goods and services and their execution).
