| Vacancy #: | 7460 | | Unit: | Business and Nature | | Organisation: | International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) | | Location: | European Regional Office, Bonn, Germany | | Reporting to: | Programme Manager – Technology and Innovation | | Work percentage: | 100% | | Grade: | I | | Expected start date: | 12 January 2026 | | Type of contract: | Fixed-term (up to 6 months) | | Closing date: | 07 December 2025 | |
BACKGROUND
IUCN is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organisations. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,400 Member organisations and the input of more than 17,000 experts. This diversity and vast expertise makes IUCN the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.
IUCN’s vision is a just world that values and conserves nature. IUCN’s mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.
IUCN helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. We work 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 seeking a highly motivated intern for a six-month mandatory internship to support the WALD Innovation Facility (https://www.innovationfacility.org/). Interns at IUCN are provided with a quality experience that combines meaningful work and learning opportunities, enabling them to gain practical skills in their chosen field of study. This internship is aligned with IUCN’s Youth Engagement Strategy, which empowers young professionals to contribute to conservation, climate action, and sustainable development. By joining the WALD Innovation Facility, interns will gain hands-on experience while contributing to this broader vision.
JOB DESCRIPTION
To be eligible for this internship, candidates must:
a) Have secured the right to live and work in Germany for the entire duration of the internship. IUCN will not provide assistance with visa or work permit applications, nor will it alter applicants' visa status.
b) Be enrolled in a university or equivalent tertiary institution:
- Undergraduate students should have completed at least one year of full-time study.
- Graduate students should be in the process of completing their degrees.
- Be enrolled in an academic program relevant to the duties and responsibilities outlined in the Terms of Reference.
Remuneration:
This is a non-paid internship. Interns or their sponsoring institutions are responsible for the costs and arrangements related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses.
Additional Information:
Students are encouraged to apply to their university for an Erasmus+ Internship grant: https://erasmusintern.org/content/scholarships
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY
Under direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager, and in collaboration with the Innovation Facility team, the Communications and Outreach Intern will support the delivery of the WALD Innovation Facility. This will include activities providing support to certain tasks within the project portfolio, such as assisting with project communications, supporting environmental and social safeguards related tasks, with a focus on awareness raising, outreach and knowledge sharing, as well as a range of administrative activities.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Communication, Outreach, and Stakeholder Engagement
• Contribute to updating and implementing the Innovation Facility’s communication strategy, ensuring effective dissemination of objectives and outcomes;
• Assist in monitoring media coverage and analytics to inform communication approaches;
• Draft and edit communication materials (newsletters, social media content, brochures, factsheets) and maintain social media platforms;
• Support the production of publications and promotional materials highlighting the Facility’s activities and grant-funded projects;
• Liaise with grantees and partners to ensure consistent and impactful messaging;
• Provide support to capacity-building activities on Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS);
• Assist in reviewing ESS tools and instruments submitted by grant-funded projects;
• Support monitoring and communication of progress on Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), Grievance Mechanism, and Stakeholder Engagement Plan commitments;
• Attend relevant webinars, meetings, and conferences, and prepare outcome reports;
• Contribute to integrating project communications into IUCN’s broader knowledge management processes;
• Identify opportunities at national and international events to showcase the project.
2. Project Coordination and Administration
• Conduct desk-based research and draft reports, briefings, policy papers, and other documents supporting project planning and coordination;
• Assist in creating and maintaining project trackers to monitor progress and enhance coordination with grantees;
• Support preparation, organisation, and follow-up of virtual and in-person meetings, workshops, and events;
• Draft meeting minutes, compile action points, and track their implementation;
• Support the documentation of lessons learnt and success stories to inform adaptive management and future planning
• Document lessons learnt and success stories to inform adaptive management and future planning;
• Assist in compiling and editing reports for donors, stakeholders, and internal audiences;
• Contribute to preparing evaluation reports, highlighting progress, challenges, and recommendations;
• Provide administrative support for reporting and documentation processes.
The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in an organisation such as IUCN, staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them, but which are not part of their regular job description. Where any task becomes a regular part of an employee's responsibilities, the job description will be changed in consultation with the employee and the Human Resources Management Group.
REQUIREMENTS
| | • Studying towards a relevant Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in environmental science, sustainable development, natural sciences, political science, international relations, international development, public policy, or communications;
• Strong interest in biodiversity conservation, climate change, and/or community livelihoods and wellbeing, with clear affinity for IUCN’s vision and mission;
• Understanding of carbon markets and nature credits is an advantage but not required;
• Basic knowledge of design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign) to support the development of communication assets such as infographics, brochures, and social media cards.
• Complete fluency in English, with excellent writing and editing skills; proficiency in German is an asset;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and general IT literacy;
• Strong analytical, organisational, multitasking, and problem-solving skills;
• Detail-oriented, with a focus on producing high-quality outputs under tight deadlines;
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple tasks;
• Ability to meet tight deadlines without compromising the quality of outputs;
• Highly motivated to learn, develop new skills, and contribute ideas;
• Team player with enthusiasm for working in an international environment; |
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: https://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 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 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.
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This position is no longer open.