Join our Global Europe programme team

• Part time or full-time (full time =36 hrs/week)
• Reimbursement: maximum of 465 EUR/month, based on 36 hour week.
• Contract duration: Student contract (Belgium or Dutch university), minimum 4 months
• Start date: As soon as possible
• Location: Brussels, with possibility to work remotely. The Intern should be willing to work occasionally from the office and attend meetings in Brussels and/or Ede (NL).

About Wetlands International Europe

Established in September 2013, Wetlands International – European Association (Wetlands International Europe) 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 14 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

The ideal candidate will support work package 5 on the EU’s Global policies. The intern would assist with research, analysis, information-sharing, and guidance of the network’s organisations regarding relevant EU policies, legislation, and finances, as well as showcasing the activities and initiatives of our offices around the world to EU stakeholders.

Wetland International’s unique and growing portfolio of actual, promising field-based examples of how healthy wetlands can serve as carbon stores, reduce disaster risk, and increase community resilience will help WI Europe promote EU investments outside its borders. We will share successful outcomes from country offices to get the EU support for upscaling or replicating. 

Through our policy and advocacy work, we aim to profile wetlands high in the EU’s political agenda, in particular in its external action. Wetlands need to be appreciated for their economic value and their ecosystem services for people’s livelihoods and cultures, as well as their roles as carbon sinks in reducing risks of disasters such as floods and droughts by increasing investments in wetlands restoration and conservation and conflict-sensitive water infrastructures. 

Roles and responsibilities

• Assist colleagues in the Global Europe programme and coordination of meetings with network offices;
• Follow the policy developments and the legislative work of the EU institutions (Parliament, Commission, Council)
• Monitor and report, regularly and in a timely fashion, on relevant trade and investment policy developments.
• Carry out a range of research tasks around commodities supply chain including of critical raw materials;
• Assist in preparing and following-up on meetings;
• Support the organisation and coordination of events, send invitations to speakers, prepare speakers briefings for events;
• Contribute to the development of training modules and advocacy assets;
• Liaise with colleagues in the Global and Regional Offices to collect project success stories from Wetlands International work in the field
• Work closely with the communications team
• Developing informational and promotional written, visual and digital communications materials for social media and the newsletter;

Working relations

INSIDE Wetlands International:

Working with the Wetlands International Europe team including colleagues in the global office and network. The postholder will report to the Global Europe Programme Manager.

OUTSIDE Wetlands International:

Partners, donors, members and other key stakeholders.

Profile

• Student at an educational institution (University) 
• An understanding of the functioning of the EU institutions and policy processes
• Knowledge of the EU Deforestation Free Product Regulation and Critical Raw Material Act
• Knowledge of Global Gateway Strategy
• Good understanding of and interest in trade and investment agreements and their environmental impact.
• Experience in policy research and analysis
• Solid IT knowledge
• A quick learner with the ability to work with short deadlines
• Flexible, able to work in a team
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English (other EU languages welcome)

Internship Offer

• Part time or full-time (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 3 months
• Location: Brussels, with the possibility of working remotely. The Intern should be willing to work occasionally from the office and attend meetings in Brussels and/or Ede (NL).
• Start date: 5 May 2025

Applications should include a cover letter summarizing the applicant’s suitability for the position and a detailed CV. Applications should be emailed to [email protected] marking your application with “Global Europe Policy Assistant_Trade and Investments” in the subject line.

Deadline: 10 April 2025.

Interviews:  between 14 and 17 April 2025

Starting date: 5^th May 2025

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.