60-021 | Internship, External Affairs & Policy

Position Title: Intern – External Affairs & Policy
Team: External Affairs & Policy
Location: Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Duration: 6 months (with possibility of extension)
Level of Effort: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Start Date: As soon as possible
Application Deadline: May 5th, 2025

Salary Indication: EUR 500 / month (based on 40 hours per week)

1. INTRODUCTION

The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is a leading international organization dedicated to accelerating action on climate adaptation, particularly for vulnerable communities. GCA focuses on developing and supporting adaptation solutions at both global and local levels, in partnership with public and private sectors. The External Affairs and Policy Team is central to GCA’s mission, ensuring that adaptation remains a priority in global political and policy agendas.

As part of this team, the intern will primarily contribute to policy research and analysis, which will inform advocacy and high-level engagement activities. Research will be a key part of understanding global climate adaptation trends and identifying actionable insights to advance GCA’s objectives.

2. KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE INTERNSHIP

The intern will contribute primarily to research-driven activities, supporting the External Affairs and Advocacy Team in its efforts to advance GCA’s mission by:

• Conducting detailed research on climate adaptation policies, global trends, and emerging issues to inform GCA's advocacy and policy positions.

• Supporting the analysis of research findings to provide strategic insights for high-level policy discussions.

• Assisting in the development of communication materials based on research outcomes, to communicate key messages to internal and external stakeholders.

• Contributing to the preparation of briefing documents, reports, and policy papers.

3. SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the guidance of the Senior Partnerships and External Affairs Officer, the intern will:

• Policy Research & Analysis:

  • Conduct in-depth research on climate adaptation policies, global trends, and international best practices.

  • Analyze research data and provide summaries, recommendations, and strategic insights for use in advocacy efforts and policy development.

  • Assist in preparing policy briefs and reports based on research outcomes.

• Event Coordination & Support:

  • Support the research and development of content for high-profile events such as the Annual Advisory Board Meeting and policy dialogues.

  • Help prepare briefing documents, concept notes, and participant lists with a focus on relevant research findings.

  • Assist in liaising with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the smooth execution of events.

• Strategic Communications:

  • Assist in drafting communication materials based on research insights for internal and external audiences, including GCA’s Advisory Board and diplomatic corps.

  • Monitor and analyze updates related to climate adaptation and global policy trends, summarizing key information for internal use.

• Procurement & Operations Support:

  • Assist in managing the procurement process for events, including coordinating tenders and managing vendor relationships.

  • Help track and evaluate the outcomes of research-driven engagements and events.

4. LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

• Research Excellence: Gain hands-on experience in research that drives policy development and advocacy on a global scale.

• Policy Engagement: Deepen understanding of international climate policy-making and global climate adaptation efforts.

• Skills Development: Develop skills in policy research, strategic communication, event planning, and stakeholder engagement.

• Networking & Exposure: Work alongside experts in climate diplomacy, adaptation, and international relations, with opportunities for networking in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Educational Background:
  A Master’s degree (or currently enrolled) in International Relations, Political Science, Environmental Policy, Public Policy, or related fields.

• Experience:
  No prior work experience required, though prior experience in research, policy analysis, or climate-related fields is an advantage.

• Skills:

  • Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to summarize complex information clearly and concisely.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills in English; French is an advantage.

  • Good organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail.

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are invited to submit their motivation letter and CV through the GCA career portal: https://gca.org/about-us/join-us/ by

May 5th, 2025.