Internship – Global Public Affairs

Internship Opportunity at The Ocean Cleanup

The mission of The Ocean Cleanup is to develop and scale technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. To accomplish this, forging and maintaining relations with governments and other relevant stakeholders is essential. The Ocean Cleanup seeks a motivated intern to support the activities of the Global Public Affairs Team.

This internship is an opportunity for students who wish to gain practical educational work experience and deepen their knowledge of international relations and of multilateral treaty negotiations and implementation. Interns will receive monthly compensation.

We are living in a watershed moment for the intersection between plastic pollution and international relations and law. We look forward to welcoming an intern wishing to witness such a moment and work with us in our engagement with governments, international organizations, and like-minded institutions.

Responsibilities

The Global Public Affairs Team is responsible for engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders. The team monitors global developments, political trends, potential risks and opportunities for the mission. You will be involved in a variety of projects, with tasks including conducting research, drafting resources, communication, preparing and assisting during meetings, and organizational tasks. This internship is a unique opportunity to learn more about the strategy, goals, and actions of a Global Public Affairs Team.

• Support in the preparation of internal and external meetings and international events
• Support in the organization of meetings and events
• Contribute to the communication of the work of The Ocean Cleanup, both internally and externally
• Assist with the preparation of presentations and collection of other information according to the needs of the Director of Global Public Affairs
• Monitor and analyze relevant policy developments at national, regional and global levels, including writing briefing notes
• Carry out research on particular points of environmental law and governance related to the mission of The Ocean Cleanup
• Draft substantive resources about the Mission of The Ocean Cleanup

Applicants should bear in mind that the nature of the work assigned will generally be a combination of both substantive and administrative work (including preparation of travel missions).

Professional Qualifications

• The internship position is open to those currently studying international relations, political science, public administration, environmental policy, international law, or related fields at the Master's, J.D, and Ph.D. levels.
• Knowledge or interest in statistics and econometrics is an advantage
• Knowledge of UN systems and multilateral policymaking processes is an advantage
• Full professional proficiency in English is required. Advanced knowledge of French, Spanish, or Dutch is an advantage

Personal Qualifications

• Able to perform well in a fast-paced and challenging environment
• Curious, creative, and determined to deliver
• Flexible team player
• Ability to work independently
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Intrinsic motivation to work towards our ambitious and meaningful goal

Application Requirements

Prospective applicants should submit:

• A curriculum vitae (CV)
• A transcript of academic records or statement of academic results
• An academic writing sample (an excerpt of any of your essays or papers in English)
• At least one letter of recommendation

Please submit all required documents as one PDF file. Candidates are required to be enrolled at a University (Master's/PhD program) throughout the duration of the internship. The interns are expected to be available 40 hours/week throughout the internship. If applicable, the internship can be combined with a Master's thesis project.

Duration

6 months (please note we do not consider interns for a shorter period) In-person

Starting date: 1 November 2024

Curious to hear how it is to work at The Ocean Cleanup? Listen to our team members explaining their work in our podcast.