Do you want to be part of the team working for migratory fish across Europe? Join our team as the Swimways Communications Assistant and help us bring World Fish Migration Day 2026 to life! You’ll support the Wetlands International Europe and World Fish Migration Day coordination teams in organising inspiring events and spreading the word across our channels. Help us grow the Trans-European Swimways Network through efficient, creative and regular communications around the Trans-European Swimways Programme and related projects and activities.

About Wetlands International European Association

Established in September 2013, Wetlands International – European Association (Wetlands International Europe, WI-EA) is the single network organisation in Europe bringing together NGOs whose shared mission is to inspire and mobilise society to safeguard and restore wetlands for people and nature.  Wetlands International Europe has 15 members from across Europe. Our ambition for the period 2020-2030 is to upscale action to safeguard and restore wetlands, collaborating with multiple partners and mobilising a wide range of actors to transform whole landscapes and sectors. Our access to cutting-edge science, combined with our understanding of EU policies, the on-ground experience from our members, partners and their networks, in addition to our own global network, makes us a credible and effective advocate for improving European policies and practices.

We operate a growing Secretariat, with our key priority to raise the voice of our members in Europe, share knowledge, improve policies and build capacity among stakeholders. For more information, please consult https://europe.wetlands.org/

Overall purpose of the job

In 2022, Wetlands International Europe, partnering with the IUCN, World Fish Migration Foundation, and UNEP WCMC, launched the Trans-European Swimways Network as a visible flagship to protect migratory freshwater fishes in Europe.  This Network is working to address the alarming loss of migratory freshwater fishes in Europe, building on the extensive experience of the flyway conservation approach to migratory waterbirds, in order to foster international and cross-sector cooperation. It will also improve scientific knowledge and guidance to strengthen EU policies and help shape new policies such as the proposed Nature Restoration Law to ensure effective river and habitat restoration.

The Swimways Communications Assistant will support the expansion and enrichment of a European network of organisations collaborating on swimway conservation, and coordinate other activities of the programme, including fostering recognition and understanding of European swimways, and sharing knowledge though various medium (webinars, articles, social media). The main focus of the internship will be the support to WI-EA’s Biodiversity Team and World Fish Migration Day’s coordination team in carrying out communication activities in the months leading up to the celebration of World Fish Migration Day 2026. This event is a major communication tool to raise awareness on migratory fish, the causes of their decline and most importantly the solutions available to shift the current downward trend and restore not only their habitats but the relationship our societies hold with these fascinating species. The event will take place on May, 23^rd 2026 globally, with numerous events organised worldwide on the theme ‘We Are River People’. The selected candidate will work closely with the organisational team to support on th global online promotion of the event and its communication needs, while also being involved in Europe in the preparation and implementation of an event in Brussels.

Additional activities are indicatively detailed below and might be subject to changes upon discussion with the selected candidate.

Roles and responsibilities

The Swimways Communications Assistant will support Wetlands International Europe’s team and World Fish Migration Day coordination team in setting up events and communicating around World Fish Migration Day 2026. The Swimways Communications Assistant will help to develop and strengthen the Trans-European Swimways Network, through efficient, creative and regular communications around the Trans-European Swimways Programme and related projects and activities.

Supporting roles and responsibilities may include:

1. World Fish Migration Day

A. Worldwide – communications

• Assist World Fish Migration Day’s coordination team in communicating around the event

B. In Europe – event organisation

• Assist the WI-EA’s project team in creating an event to celebrate World Fish Migration Day in Europe,
• Organising the event and related communications.

2. Project communications

• developing the communication strategy and plan with the project team, 
• developing written, visual and digital communications materials to support advocacy, fundraising, reporting and external relations management for various audiences by developing creative communication activities,
• updating the webpage with relevant news,
• managing the social media content and activities.

3. Network Development

• Contributing to the growth of the Trans-European Swimways Network,
• Coordinating regular Trans-European Swimways Network meetings and active online communications.

Working relations

INSIDE Wetlands International:

Working with the Wetlands International Europe Biodiversity and Communications teams, as well as with Wetlands International’ network offices. The postholder will be part of the Biodiversity Team and report to the Biodiversity Policy Officer and Biodiversity Manager, while working closely with the Communications Officer.

OUTSIDE Wetlands International:

Partners (in particular, World Fish Migration Day 2026 Coordination Team), members and other key stakeholders.

Profile

• Studying communications or international relations, with a keen interest in environmental topics.
• Excellent communications skills (written and oral) with fluency in English;
• Creative, visual and self-organised;
• A social media whizz;
• Understanding and passion for nature conservation,
• Knowledge of relevant IT systems and social media platforms,
• Capacity to work both independently and within a team,
• Ability to work in an international, multi-cultural NGO environment,
• Active interest in EU nature and water policy processes.

Internship Offer

• Only applicable to students. His/her educational institute should be able to provide an Internship agreement to be signed among the three parties.
• Full-time preferred, part-time possible upon discussion (full time =36 hrs/week).
• Reimbursement of a maximum of 450 EUR/month, based on 36 hour week.
  The Intern will be asked to register hours and submit a monthly expense claim.
• Contract duration: minimum of 6 months. Ideally, full time between end of November-December 2025 and June 30^th 2026.
• Location: The intern should preferably be based in Brussels to ensure close contact with the Brussels’ office team members. The Intern should be willing to work occasionally from the office and attend meetings in Brussels and/or the Ede office (NL).
• Start date: end of November – early December 2025

Applications should include a covering letter summarising the applicant’s suitability for the position and a detailed CV. Applications should be sent by email to [email protected] marking your application with “Swimways Communications Assistant (Intern) – Name & Surname” in the subject line.

Deadline for applications is 31^st October 2025.

Early application is strongly encouraged.

Interviews will take place 17-21st November 2025.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.