Deadline: 16 January 2023
Based in: Friends of the Earth Europe, Brussels, full-time or 4 days a week
Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE) campaigns at the heart of Europe for sustainable and just societies and for the protection of the environment. We are the largest grassroots environmental network in Europe, uniting 32 national organisations with thousands of local groups as part of Friends of the Earth International. Our vision is of a peaceful and sustainable world, founded on social, economic, racial, gender and environmental justice and free from all forms of domination and exploitation.
We are looking for an intern to work on the “Beyond Growth Project” which is aiming to put a wellbeing economy rooted in beyond growth economics at the heart of EU policy making.
The postholder will be part of our resource justice and sustainability (RJS) programme.
This is an excellent opportunity to join one of the leading green NGOs in Brussels and to be part of a vibrant network of national member organisations, as well as to gain knowledge and experience in EU campaigning and organising.
Main topics of the “Beyond Growth Campaign”
We are at a point in history in which multiple interdependent global crises are increasingly escalating. At the root is an economic system that prioritises short-term profits and GDP growth over the wellbeing of people and the planet by design. While the discourse on the need for systemic change of our economic system is slowly shifting, we have yet to see this recognition consolidated in actual policy change in Europe.
A significant opportunity in shifting the discourse – and driving action – is a major Beyond Growth Conference that the European Parliament is hosting in May 2023. It is aiming to discuss pathways and concrete beyond growth policies based on a transformative and systemic approach. The conference will be a core focus of this project to push for a systemic transformation of our economic model from a growth-dependent system to a new economic model that promotes wellbeing for all within the limits of the planet and redistributes power. FoEE kick-started our work on this topic recently with our 7 sparks to light a new economy.
We will organise large civil society gatherings before, during and after the conference, across diverse groups, developing a hopeful vision of an alternative economic system that will motivate and excite people. This vision will make its way into the Brussels bubble and translate into real EU policy action.
The campaign’s main objectives are to:
- Build strong shared visions and narratives across diverse civil society for a wellbeing economy at the European level that is rooted in beyond growth economics and policies
- Increase the understanding and buy-in of EU policy makers to become champions on beyond growth policy making
- Raise political and public awareness on the design faults of our economic system and solutions that lie in beyond growth and wellbeing economics
Key responsibilities
- Assist in the organisation of internal and external events (including three large civil society gatherings (~50 participants), debates, workshops and online meetings
- In collaboration with communications officers and external consultants, produce communication materials for the Friends of the Earth Europe website, social media and templates for broader use by partners;
- Co-develop written materials on the topic such as briefings, fact sheets, policy papers, letters to political leaders etc;
- Conduct research on the relevant aspects of the campaign;
- Organise and distribute relevant information to member groups and wider civil society networks;
- Attend Brussels-based and potentially wider European events on the topics;
- Support the daily work of the campaign and programme.
Requirements for the role-holder:
Essential
- Strong interest in environmental justice issues
- Oral and written communication skills in English
- Organisational and time management skills
- Experience in using a range of social media in demonstrated creative ways
- Ability to work independently and take initiative
- Analytical and research skills
- Flexibility and problem-solving skills
- Committed to FoEE’s vision, mission and values
- IT literacy on Microsoft Office/Excel
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of the EU institutions
- An interest in economic system change and/or knowledge on beyond growth/post growth/degrowth discussions and solutions
- Oral and written communication skills in another language
We offer:
This position is offered as a full-time position in Brussels, Belgium for a period of six months with the possibility to extend it to nine months. The post can be either full-time or 80% part-time for four days a week.
We offer a remuneration of 1.076€ per month for the full-time post. This amount has been calculated with the projected inflation increase relevant for FoEE. It will be adjusted in January 2023 according to the final percentage published by the Belgian government.
FoEE offers lunch vouchers, transport and a work from home allowance and ten days holidays for the six months. We offers a motivating working environment in an international office located in an environmentally-friendly NGO building.
To carry out the job, the team member must be based in Belgium. The job is subject to FoEE’s teleworking policy, which allows for hybrid working.
FoEE actively welcomes candidates of all descriptions, regardless of age, sexual orientation, marital status, wealth, religious, philosophical or political beliefs, language, present or future state of health, disability, physical or genetic characteristics, gender, pregnancy, parental status, change of sex, nationality, race, skin colour, ancestry, nationality, descent, national or ethnic or social origin. FoE Europe strives to make our office as diverse as possible.
To apply:
Send your CV and a motivation letter describing how you meet the above-mentioned requirements and your background by 16 January 2023 by 23.59h CET to: rjs.intern@foeeurope.org
We will acknowledge receipt of all applications and reply on whether you have been selected for interview by end of day 20 January.
Interviews will be conducted in English in Brussels or via Zoom, most probably during the week beginning 23 January 2023.
The ideal starting date of the post is 1 February 2023.
