36-011 I Internship, Youth Leadership & Education

VACANCY TITLE:  Intern, Youth Leadership and Education 

TEAM: Youth Leadership and Education 

LOCATION: Rotterdam, the Netherlands 

LEVEL OF EFFORT: Full time – 40 hours per week  

START DATE: As soon as possible 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 13 December 2024 

SALARY INDICATION: 500 EUR per month 

WHO WE ARE 

The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization working to accelerate action on adapting to climate change. We support adaptation solutions at the international and the local levels, partnering with the public and the private sector. 

Our focus is firmly on those who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change; communities least prepared to withstand the health, social, and economic impacts of the climate emergency are our priority. 

Founded in 2018, our organization is based in regional offices across key global locations. Our Europe office is located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in the largest floating office in the world. We also have regional offices in Kenya, Ivory Coast, Bangladesh, and Beijing, as well as a dedicated knowledge and research hub in Groningen, the Netherlands. 

Our work encompasses high-level policy development, research, agenda-setting and advocacy to drive faster and deeper climate adaptation. We collaborate closely with partners to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of results where they are most needed. 

GCA is harnessing the enthusiasm, energy, and innovation of young people to mobilize the next generation of adaptation leaders around the world. The GCA Youth Leadership and Education program aims to connect and empower young people to create a climate-resilient future and to feature African youth leadership across the world. Our mission is to mobilize the next generation of adaptation leaders worldwide, by: 

• Building the youth adaptation movement: Connecting and empowering young people to lead a youth adaptation movement and make the case for adaptation. 

• Promoting youth participation in decision-making processes at the international, African continental and national levels to drive the adaptation agenda. 

• Delivering adaptation education and capacity-building: Developing training materials and educational content to build adaptive capacity in future generations. 

• Cultivating the leadership of young women to ensure equitable adaptation policy, decisions and action. 

Responsibilities 

Under the guidance of the Youth Leadership and Education team and directly reporting to the Thematic Lead on Youth Leadership and Education, this internship is designed to offer students or recent graduates an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in climate adaptation and building the youth adaptation movement. The role and responsibilities of the intern will include: 

• Gain practical experience by assisting the team in organizing hybrid and virtual events for young people on climate adaptation, from crafting agendas to coordinating with speakers and managing logistics with a focus on the sub-regional Youth Adaptation Forums and the Youth Climate Adaptation Action Day. This will help you build skills in coordination, stakeholder engagement, and project management.  

• Support the team with research for the development of new projects related to climate adaptation and to identify opportunities to broaden the Youth Adaptation Network.  

• Support the team with drafting internal documents and engaging content for social media, promotional materials, and internal updates.  

• Participate in meetings with GCA stakeholders, including governments and international organizations, gaining insights into stakeholder dynamics and honing note-taking and summarization skills.  

• Undertake other related tasks as needed, providing a broad exposure to the workings of GCA.  

Qualifications  

• Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of a relevant degree program (e.g., Environmental Science, Climate Studies, International Development, International Relations, or related).  

• Demonstrated interest in climate adaptation, youth participation, or related fields.  

• Strong organizational and communication skills, both written and verbal.  

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.  

• Demonstrates a proactive attitude towards acquiring new skills and knowledge, readily adapting to new challenges and environments with enthusiasm.  

• Sense of political relationships and awareness of the environment and organization.  

• Knowledge of communication tools and how to apply them effectively in daily online and offline practice, such as Canva, MailChimp.  

• Proficiency in MS Office and Google Workspace suites.  

• Knowledge of written and verbal French and/or Portuguese will be considered an asset. 

WHAT WE OFFER  

Joining our team means contributing to our global mission on climate adaptation. You will have the opportunity to tap into the extensive expertise available at GCA and its partner organizations worldwide. Furthermore, you will play a role in shaping international policies and global action on climate change, working at the highest governmental levels, and collaborating with governments on all continents. 

GCA offers a 2 days of unpaid leave per month and a public transport travel card for free business-related commuting within the Netherlands to our interns. 

At GCA, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive team where everyone feels valued. We warmly welcome applicants from all walks of life and do not discriminate in any of our programs or activities based on race, colour, religion, sex, nationality, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Join us and contribute your unique perspective to our collective success. 

HOW TO APPLY 

If you are interested in this position, please submit your motivation letter and CV by following the link https://gca.org/about-us/join-us/ before 13 December 2024. 

Our recruitment process for internships is designed to be both engaging and insightful. It begins with a written assessment, followed by one round of interviews. You'll have the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of GCA team members who are eager to learn about your personality, skills, and potential. This journey also allows you to gain a deeper understanding of GCA's objectives, culture, and values. We look forward to discovering how we can achieve great things together.