• Location: The intern will be based in Belgium or in the Netherlands
• Duration: Minimum 5 months, Maximum 1 year
• Start date: September 2024
• Part-time or Full-time
• Reimbursement: Maximum 450€/month, based on 36 hours/week

About Wetlands International Europe

Established in September 2013,Wetlands International Europe is the only 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 13 members 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 internship

The Swimways Policy 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 through various mediums (webinars, articles, social media).

The Swimways Policy Assistant will contribute particularly to developing economic criteria to identify Swimways of European Importance. This criteria will complement the already existing biological criteria by providing information on the economic significance of migratory freshwater fishes, their contribution to local economies and to livelihoods they support in Europe.

The Swimways Policy Assistant will also assist the Swimways Team in integrating migratory fish conservation into European Union policies and developing the Trans-European Swimways Network.

Roles and responsibilities 

The Swimways Policy Assistant will support the implementation of the Trans-European Swimways Programme in the following areas:

1.Swimways Economic Criteria Development

• Conducting desk-based research on the economic significance of migratory freshwater fishes
• Researching suitable data for developing an economic criteria for SEIs
• Identifying knowledge and policy gaps
• Mapping out results from research and SEIs identified through economic criteria

2.Supporting advocacy for swimway conservation 

• Contributing to policy analysis
• Assisting with developing reports and policy briefs
• Organising webinars and events to influence policy processes

3.Communications and networking

• Contributing to the development of communication strategies and plans,
• Developing communications materials to support advocacy, fundraising, reporting for various audiences, including the preparations for the European Fish Migration Day in May 2025,
• Updating the webpage with relevant news,
• Managing the social media content and activities.
• Contributing to the growth of the Trans-European Swimway Network.

Working relations 

INSIDE Wetlands International:

Working with the Wetlands International Europe team. The postholder will directly report to the Swimways Policy Officer.

OUTSIDE Wetlands International: Members of the Trans-European Swimways Network

Profile 

• Ongoing Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. fisheries management, sustainable aquaculture, freshwater resources management, environmental economics)
• Excellent command of written and spoken English,
• Strong communication and influencing skills,
• Solid GIS and data management skills are an advantage,
• Understanding and passion for nature conservation,
• Creativity and good visualization skills,
• 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.
• 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 5 months, Maximum 1 year.
• Location: The intern will be based in Belgium or in the Netherlands.
• Start date: September 2024.

 How to apply

Applications should include a covering letter summarizing 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 Policy Assistant – Economic Criteria” in the subject line.

Deadline: 24 August 2024. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Download the full offer: