Intern - EU Liaison and EU funding Support

Closing date:

06 June 2012

BACKGROUND

IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environmental and development challenges.

IUCN works on biodiversity, climate change, energy, human livelihoods and greening the world economy by supporting scientific research, managing field projects all over the world, and bringing governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice.

IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, with more than 1,000 government and NGO members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN’s work is supported by over 1,000 staff in 60 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world.

IUCN’s European region covers the European continent, Russia and Central Asia, and includes the European Union overseas entities. Representing one third of the global membership, this is IUCN’s largest programmatic region. Four offices in Switzerland, Belgium, Georgia and Serbia coordinate action in the region. Together we strive to meet our goals for a sustainable future by using the expertise and the strength of the global IUCN network.
www.iucn.org/europe

The European Union (EU) is one of the key players on the world stage since its Member States form the largest economy in the world. It is the world’s largest bilateral and multilateral trading partner and the largest provider of public aid to developing countries. The overseas territories of some of its Members reach out to all corners of the globe.

The European Union Liaison Office – part of IUCN’s Regional Office for Pan Europe – represents IUCN as a whole to the EU and provides the IUCN secretariat and constituency with up-to-date information on EU policies, legislation and funding programmes regarding nature conservation and development cooperation.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The IUCN EURO team is looking for a highly motivated intern for a period of 6 months to assist with various activities and the daily functioning of the office. The focus of the internship will be on assisting the EU Liaison Project Officer in accessing EU funding for the IUCN global network and in reporting on the EU activity under the Development Cooperation policy. Some of the specific tasks are:

- research on EU policy developments and EU funding instruments
- follow up the most important environmental events and activities from the second half of 2012, at EU and international level
- issue two editions of the “EU Update Newsletter” and a “Funding information update” twice a month
- represent IUCN at meetings in the European Parliament, the European Commission and other organizations, and report on the outcomes
- provide input for the activities organized in the framework of the Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development
- take part in the general activities of the office.

What we offer

The internship takes place without any financial remuneration but provides a challenging and interesting opportunity to work in a dynamic international organization and to gain work experience in the field of EU nature conservation policies and funding instruments. Time off for attending classes and exams can be discussed. Expected starting date of the internship is 25 June 2012.

REQUIREMENTS

• Affinity with the vision and mission of IUCN

• The internship has to be mandatory or optional course for gaining the diploma of the studies that the student is enrolled in (formalized by a work placement agreement/convention de stage between the academic institution and IUCN EU Representative Office)

• A keen interest in and basic understanding of issues relating to the conservation of biodiversity

• Very good knowledge of EU policy-making, especially the development and cooperation policy

• Studying towards a Bachelor or Master degree

• Oral and written fluency in English; good command of French is an asset

• Solid knowledge of Microsoft Office applications

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Ability to work with short deadlines and multiple simultaneous tasks

• Highly motivated to learn and develop new skills.

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST).

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/