Seas At Risk (SAR) is an umbrella organisation of environmental organisations from across Europe, working together to ensure that life in our seas and oceans is abundant, diverse, climate resilient, and not threatened by human activities. SAR is working on issues as diverse as marine protected areas, shipping, fisheries, deep-sea mining, and marine litter. We promote ambitious policies for marine protection at European and international level. With over 30 members representing the majority of European countries, SAR speaks for millions of citizens that care deeply about the health and well-being of seas and oceans. More information here.
Purpose of the job
SAR is seeking a fisheries policy trainee to join our biodiversity team. This position supports all aspects of SAR’s work on fisheries, and in particular the fisheries project “The Future of fisheries will be low impact – or it won’t be”. The project has the objective to change policies and practices for a just transition to low impact fisheries in Europe and covers Germany, Spain, Portugal and EU level advocacy. The role will involve supporting the fisheries team in the development and implementation of EU advocacy and communication work on fisheries, and help with facilitation of collaboration between NGOs and with other stakeholders (including fisher organisations).
Main responsibilities
Some of the main responsibilities can be:
- Support the implementation of the SAR fisheries project
- Support the implementation of the national campaigns and advocacy strategies
- Contribute to advocacy at EU level in support of ending overfishing, minimising fisheries impacts on the marine environment, including bycatch, and a just transition to low impact fisheries
- Contribute to our work on seafood (including consumption), through desk research, strategy development and campaign planning
- Coordinate with the partners of the project as well as the wider Seas At Risk membership
- Monitor relevant EU and international policy developments
- Support with the drafting of position papers, policy briefings and reports
- Support the project’s communication planning and activities
- Organise workshops and events
- Support the promotion of SAR policies within the EU institutions and internationally, among stakeholders and in relevant meetings and conferences
- Contribute to other SAR project areas when needed
The precise tasks will be decided in dialogue, depending on the profile and interest of the candidate and the needs of the fisheries project.
Qualification, experience, knowledge
Minimum Bachelors degree or equivalent (e.g. relevant work experience) in a related subject.
- A passion for the ocean and environmental conservation.
- Alignment with SAR’s ambition to address the root causes of the biodiversity and climate crises, and to develop systemic alternatives to the dominant growth based political economy.
- Good spoken and written English; knowledge of other languages is considered an asset.
This traineeship contract aims at young graduates who seek a first work experience.
Competences
Passionate about the marine environment
- Good communicator
- Intercultural competence
- Approachable and able to collaborate in a co-creative manner
- Committed to quality
- Strong organisational ability
- Flexible
The offer
The opportunity to work in a growing NGO with a stimulating, informal, flexible and multicultural working environment.
- An opportunity to acquire practical experience in a professional and international working environment, with supervision by experienced Seas At Risk staff members.
- The opportunity to learn about marine topics in a European Union policy setting and gain a more in-depth knowledge of how EU institutions work.
- A fixed monthly compensation of 1300 Euro, a monthly contribution to expenses for working from home of 165 Euro, lunch vouchers and transport allowance.
- Twelve compensation days per year as time off, and sick leave conditions equal to payroll staff.
The position is based in Brussels, full time, to start on 7 January 2025. It will be a six months CIP Belgium contract (convention d’immersion professionnelle). An extension for an additional six months might be possible.
How to apply
Send the following to secretariat@seas-at-risk.org with the subject line ‘fisheries policy trainee – YOUR NAME’ with two pdfs attached:
- a cover letter explaining your motivation, and preferred topics/processes to work on;
- your CV.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so better submit as soon as possible. Final deadline for applications is Sunday 17 November 2024.
Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. Thank you for your understanding. Interviews will take place in second half of November.
More information about this opportunity can be found here.