Intern - Biodiversity Conservation
Vacancy #: 5385
Unit: Global Species & Key Biodiversity Areas Programme
Organization: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location: European Regional Office, Brussels, Belgium
Reporting to: European Biodiversity Conservation Coordinator
Work percentage: 100%
Grade: -
Expected start date: 05 August 2020
Type of contract: Fixed-term (6 months)
Closing date: 20 July 2020 (extended)
BACKGROUND
About the International Union for Conservation of Nature - IUCN
IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network - a democratic membership union with more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries. IUCN’s work is supported by more than 1,000 professional staff in 45 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. Its headquarters are based in Gland, Switzerland.
IUCN’s work focuses on valuing and conserving nature, ensuring effective and equitable governance of its use, and deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food and development. IUCN supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world, and brings governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsibilities
Under direct supervision of the European Biodiversity Conservation Coordinator and in collaboration with other staff of the IUCN European Regional Office, the Biodiversity Conservation intern will support the work and projects of the IUCN Global Species Programme in Europe. This will include activities such as providing support to certain tasks within the project portfolio, such as assisting in the organisation of workshops, contributing to carrying out research on certain topics, supporting project communications and assisting in writing technical reports, as well as a range of administrative activities.
The internship is unpaid but expenses for public transport and lunch are covered (monthly MOBIB card + 5 EUR/day for meals).
Specific tasks
Focus of the internship will be on providing support to different tasks within the project portfolio which encompasses different projects related to biodiversity conservation in Europe. This assignment will also include the following responsibilities:
• Assist in the implementation of the LIFE European Red List of Hoverflies, including: performing consistency checks of species assessments and maps, compiling species photos. Providing support to this task will require some training in Red List assessments that will be provided by the team.
• Support the communication activities of all ongoing projects;
• Assist in the organization of workshops, meetings and event planning;
• Support the team in a range of administrative functions on a day-to-day basis (e.g. processing of invoices, consultancy contracts etc).
• Will be required to provide support on a range of tasks as delegated by his/her Line Manager
Students are encouraged to apply to their University for an Erasmus+ Internship grant: https://erasmusintern.org/content/scholarships
Applicants are requested to apply online through the IUCN 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). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
REQUIREMENTS
• Applicants must have student status (undergraduate or graduate) and be enrolled at a university for the entire duration of the internship;
• Studying towards a relevant Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with a focus on biology, environmental science, sustainable development, natural sciences;
• Affinity with the vision and mission of IUCN and a strong interest in and good understanding of European conservation initiatives;
• An understanding of the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria is advantageous;
• Complete fluency in the English language, including excellent demonstrated English writing skills; good level of written and spoken French is an asset but not required;
• Sound understanding of information technology, with experience in applying Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) as a minimum skill set.
• Proven analytical, conceptual, organization, multitasking, and problem-solving skills;
• Detail- and outcome-oriented;
• Ability to work independently and on multiple tasks simultaneously;
• Ability to meet tight deadlines without compromising the quality of outputs;
• Highly motivated to learn and develop new skills, keen to bring in own ideas;
• A team player with a strong interest to work in an international environment;
• EU National or holder of an EU work permit.
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). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,300 Member organisations and some 10,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.
www.iucn.org
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