INTERNSHIP – ZURICH CLIMATE RESILIENCE ALLIANCE

Location: The Hague, the Netherlands

Position status: Full-time or part-time, at least 60%

Compensation: €50 for each 8-hour working day

Duration: 6 months

Risk Level: X Level 3 ☐Level 2 ☐Level 1

(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.

Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.

Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.

In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions

into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Now, and for the future.

The Program / Department / Team

The Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance (the Alliance) is a partnership of nine organisations including

international NGOs, the private sector and research organisations, who have come together with the support of the Zurich Foundation to influence funding, policy and practice at the local, national, and international levels to reduce the negative impact of climate change on communities worldwide. The partners are implementing a combination of community programmes, influencing activities, research and learning to generate systems change for climate resilience.

Mercy Corps is leading the Alliance’s work on influencing and Adaptation Governance, which includes advocacy on UNFCCC negotiations. As part of the Alliance, Mercy Corps also implements programmes in Nepal, Jordan and Indonesia.

The Position (General Position Summary)

The intern will have access to Mercy Corps' office in The Hague and is expected to be in the office at least once a week. Any costs associated with remote work (such as internet or utilities) remain the intern's responsibility.

Essential Responsibilities

Learning objectives:

Throughout the internship, the intern will:

• Develop an understanding of international climate policy and advocacy, with a particular focus on adaptation finance, locally led adaptation, and the UNFCCC process.

• Strengthen skills in policy research and analysis, including synthesising complex information into clear and accessible briefing materials, presentations, and influencing products

• Gain practical experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership development, including mapping relevant organisations, donors, and networks working on climate resilience.

• Build professional communication skills through the development of policy, communications, and knowledge products, and by participating in meetings with external stakeholders and coalitions.

Deliverables:

The intern will support Mercy Corps' Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance team with its policy and partnerships work. Exact deliverables will be agreed with the intern and will depend on whether the internship is part-time or full-time. Below is an indicative list of activities:

Influencing international climate policy in the Netherlands

Mercy Corps plays a leading role in advocacy on international climate policy in the Netherlands. This includes engagement with Dutch policymakers, negotiators, and civil society partners. In the lead-up to COP31 (Antalya, Türkiye), the intern will support the team by:

• Supporting the development of advocacy and influencing materials for COP31, PowerPoint presentations, briefing notes, and communications products related to a joint civil society COP31 position paper.

• Attending meetings of the Internationale Klimaatcoalitie, including the September strategy meeting, and preparing meeting notes and action points.

• Supporting the organisation of stakeholder events or roundtables related to climate finance and adaptation, where relevant.

• Conducting background research and supporting policy analysis as needed.

Supporting COP preparations and follow-up

The intern will also support the COP31 preparations for Mercy Corps and the Alliance, as well as related follow-up activities, including:

• Identifying relevant events, sessions, and engagement opportunities for Mercy Corps and the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance at COP31.

• Supporting the development of briefing materials and other preparations.

• Assisting with documenting outcomes and following up on priority actions after COP31.

• Supporting logistics and planning around events

Identifying partnerships

Mercy Corps is seeking to strengthen partnerships with like-minded organisations and expand engagement with potential donors working on climate resilience and adaptation. The intern will support this work by:

• Developing and maintaining a mapping of relevant organisations, networks, and potential funding partners, initially focusing on the Netherlands and the European Union.

• Conducting desk research on partnership opportunities, donor priorities, and relevant events.

• Supporting the preparation of partnership briefings and contact lists.

Locally-Led Adaptation

Mercy Corps’ advocacy has a key focus on Locally Led Adaptation this year. The intern will support this work by:

• Provide support to our internal ‘LLAboratory’ - a group of representatives from our country programmes which could include writing meeting summaries and supporting with presentations.

• Conducting background research and supporting policy analysis as needed.

Communications

Depending on the intern's profile and interests, they may also support the team's communications by:

• Supporting the team's LinkedIn presence through the development of content and visual materials.

• Assisting with drafting blogs or other communications products highlighting Mercy Corps' climate resilience policy and programme work.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Barbara Rosen Jacobson, Senior Advocacy Advisor with the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance team

Works Directly With: The Mercy Corps Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance team and the Mercy Corps Policy & Advocacy team

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• Is currently enrolled in or has recently completed (within 1 year) a university degree in International Relations, International Development, Environmental Policy, Climate Change, Public Policy, Political Science, or related field.

• Has an interest in policy influencing, partnerships, and communications, and is motivated to contribute to building climate resilience.

• Demonstrates excellent research, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information into clear and concise outputs.

• Is proactive, curious, and eager to learn, with the confidence to take initiative while seeking guidance when needed.

• Has strong communication skills in English (written and spoken); proficiency in Dutch is considered an advantage.

• Has experience with Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel; familiarity with Canva or other design tools is an advantage.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Team Engagement and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).

If you’re interested in this internship, please apply by submitting your CV and motivation letter. Your application will be reviewed by the Mercy Corps team and shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly for interviews.