Policy, Partnerships, and Funding Intern
The Hague, Netherlands
JOB DETAIL
Description
INTERNSHIP TITLE: Policy, Partnerships, and Funding Intern
INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION: The Hague
DATES OF INTERNSHIP: TBC but likely January to June 2025 (6 months)
HOURS PER WEEK: 4 days per week (open to full-time)
FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP: €50 – per day
DEPARTMENT: Strategic Institutional Partnerships and Mercy Corps Netherlands
INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION: The Hague
DATES OF INTERNSHIP: TBC but likely January to June 2025 (6 months)
HOURS PER WEEK: 4 days per week (open to full-time)
FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP: €50 – per day
DEPARTMENT: Strategic Institutional Partnerships and Mercy Corps Netherlands
Mercy Corps responsibilities
For the duration of this internship assignment, the intern will receive:
● Training and supervisory support
● Access to Mercy Corps online tools
● All other tools, materials and communication requirements for this project
● Space for professional development and own initiative
Intern responsibilities
The intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with:
● Accommodation, travel and living expenses
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
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.
Mercy Corps Netherlands (MCNL) was established in December 2017 as a non-profit association, operating in collaboration with its sister organizations, Mercy Corps Global and Mercy Corps Europe (MCE) as one global organization. All three entities share the same mission, vision, core values and charitable objectives, as well as operational resources for the support and implementation of programme activities. MCNL is operating from the Hague Humanity Hub, joining a dynamic community of innovators in the humanitarian and peacebuilding space.
The breadth and impact of our programmes make Mercy Corps a unique and truly rewarding place to work. Our teams are proud of what we achieve in the field and we are always looking for talented individuals who share our passion and commitment.
Mercy Corps’ ambitious goal is to raise our profile in the Netherlands and exponentially broaden our sphere of influence, shaping the perspectives of governments and key stakeholders in The Hague and Brussels. We aspire to raise awareness about the multifaceted challenges we address, with a distinct focus on the dynamic intersection of climate and conflict, and humanitarian aid. Although it is essential for our mission to secure funding, we also aim to ensure sustained and long-term engagement of governments and other key stakeholders/donors in the Netherlands and Brussels with the vulnerable communities and critical contexts we work with. This strategic collaboration is essential to ensure that humanitarian response helps people become increasingly dependent and resilient.
To assist in raising Mercy Corps’ profile in the Dutch and EU contexts, the intern will work closely together with the Strategic Partnerships and Policy & Advocacy teams, and with the Outreach and Communications Assistant, based in both The Hague and Brussels, as well as with the wider MCNL team. Their main responsibilities will entail assisting in engaging with policies from both the Netherlands and Brussels in the key areas that are of importance to us, such as exploring the intersection between conflict prevention, climate change adaptation and food & water security. Additionally, they will be scoping key stakeholders that are important to elevate Mercy Corps’ profile. This includes research support on various policy areas, including climate impacts and negotiations, and providing relevant summaries of influential policy documents and decisions. The intern will also support advocacy efforts by organizing and coordinating external engagement opportunities. The ideal candidate will have excellent oral and written skills in Dutch (native level) as well as in English, and a demonstrable passion for the issues we are looking to address.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
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Understand the Dutch and European policy space, and their relation to development and humanitarian efforts, and learn how to engage with external stakeholders in this space.
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Gain insights and confidence in policy and advocacy, communications, and other external engagement processes and techniques of an INGO.
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Gain experience in a multicultural work environment, coordinating and communicating with a global team across time zones and geographies, many of whom operate in complex, challenging environments.
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Build planning and organizational skills.
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Learn about INGOs’ and governments’ involvement in key topical areas such as climate change and adaptation, food security, and humanitarian aid.
DELIVERABLES:
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Supporting policy research for international climate negotiations, in particular the Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance, and supporting research for advocacy efforts with Dutch and EU stakeholders in the fields of emerging humanitarian response and climate impacts.
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Documentation, analysis and advice: Monitor the relevant Dutch political landscape and key policy documents and summarize this into potential strategic opportunities for Mercy Corps, particularly in MCNL priority areas, such as Conflict Prevention, Climate Change Adaptation and Food & Water Security.
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Organize and coordinate Mercy Corps’ contribution to several large external engagement events, and plan communications on reports.
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Offer support on administrative tasks such as keeping the MCNL’s contact database up to date.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
We are looking for someone who is excited by our vision and mission, and the opportunity to help us raise our profile, influence and impact by delivering exciting and original initiatives. The ideal candidate:
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Is enrolled as a graduate student, majoring in international development, international relations, conflict studies, or a related field.
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Has a demonstrable interest in the intersection between conflict and climate, humanitarian aid, and food & Water security.
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Is familiar with the Dutch policy and development space, and preferably has knowledge (or interest in) the advocacy space in the Netherlands. Having knowledge/interest in the advocacy space in the EU is a plus.
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Is well-organized, proactive, and communicative. Additionally, flexibility and resourcefulness are also appreciated.
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Is well-versed in computer literacy: skilled and confident user of Office 365, experience with design software such as Canva would be an asset.
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Preferably has experience in event coordination and organization.
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Be a native-level Dutch speaker and fluent in English (required).
Mercy Corps interns represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Mercy Corps Diversity Statement
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
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 e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
Mercy Corps Global: https://www.mercycorps.org/
Mercy Corps Global Headquarters: 45 SW Ankeny Street, Portland, Oregon 97204
Mercy Corps Europe: europe.mercycorps.org
Mercy Corps Europe Headquarters: 96/3 Commercial Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6LX
In your statement, you are encouraged to discuss any relevant experience, and demonstrate your interest. Your application will be reviewed by the Mercy Corps team and shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly for interviews.
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