35-014 | Intern, Water And Urban

VACANCY TITLE: Intern, Water and Urban

TEAM: Water and Urban Program

LOCATION: Rotterdam, the Netherlands

LEVEL OF EFFORT: 32-40 hours per week

DURATION: 3-6 months

START DATE: As soon as possible

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 20 Feb 2025

SALARY INDICATION: EUR 500 (based on 40 hours per week)

WHO WE ARE

The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization working to accelerate action on adapting to climate change. We support adaptation solutions at the international and the local levels, partnering with the public and the private sector.

Our focus is firmly on those who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change; communities least prepared to withstand the health, social, and economic impacts of the climate emergency are our priority.

Founded in 2018, our organization is based in regional offices across key global locations. Our Europe office is located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in the largest floating office in the world. We also have regional offices in Kenya, Ivory Coast, Bangladesh, and Beijing, as well as a dedicated knowledge and research hub in Groningen, the Netherlands.

Our work encompasses high-level policy development, research, agenda-setting and advocacy to drive faster and deeper climate adaptation. We collaborate closely with partners to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of results where they are most needed.

WHAT WILL YOU DO

Water is vital for maintaining health, growing food, generating energy, managing the environment, and creating jobs. Yet a lack of clean water threatens to limit economic growth in many developing countries. By 2050, demand for water will increase by 55 percent and the number of people living with water scarcity will grow to 3.1 billion. By 2050, water in streams and channels critical for sustaining the environment and freshwater ecosystems is projected to be affected in 42 percent to 79 percent of the world’s watersheds. As climate change intensifies the hydrological cycle, there is a potential doubling of flood risk and a 1.2- to 1.8-fold increase in GDP loss due to flooding. This mostly affects disadvantaged communities and in particular, women and adolescent girls, urban residents of informal settlements, and the poor in countries characterized by fragility, conflict, and violence

The impacts of climate change are most acutely expressed through water, which has historically defined and enabled human development. This puts adaptation in water at the heart of a robust global response to climate change.

In response, GCA’s Water and Urban Resilience Program is driving innovative adaptation solutions through initiatives like the City Adaptation Accelerator and Climate Resilient Water Services. As an intern, you will play a role in supporting these efforts, gaining hands-on experience in climate adaptation research and strategy. Reporting to our Project Leads and the Water and Urban Global Lead, you will focus on the following four key skill and knowledge development areas:

Topic Understanding:

You will develop a grounded understanding of the link between urban agriculture and urban resilience in selected African countries. To achieve this, you will:

• Summarize existing urban agricultural practices and analyse their benefits and risks.

• Identify opportunities to enhance and scale sustainable urban agriculture.

• Conduct data collection through literature reviews, expert interviews, and participation in a GCA urban resilience project in Central Africa.

Your outputs will be a brief discussion paper and presentation on opportunities for improving and scaling urban agriculture sustainably.

Team Collaboration and Professional Networking:

• Work within a multidisciplinary team focused on urban resilience.

• Engage with global and African experts in climate adaptation and urban development.

• Build a strong professional network in the field of climate resilience and water management.

Writing Skills:

• Develop technical writing skills for programmatic documents, ensuring clarity, coherence, and impact.

• Contribute to reports, policy briefs, and knowledge-sharing materials.

• Educational Background: Completion or near completion of a bachelor's degree in a related field, with related courses (e.g., urban resilience, urban agriculture, sustainable livelihoods, urban conservation).

• Interest & Experience: A demonstrated interest in urban resilience topics, including community engagement, as evidenced by relevant courses, internships, or job experience.

• Language Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French.

• Team Orientation: A strong interest in working in a multicultural team environment.

WHAT WE OFFER

Joining our team means contributing to our global mission on climate adaptation. You will have the opportunity to tap into the extensive expertise available at GCA and its partner organizations worldwide. Furthermore, you will play a role in shaping international policies and global action on climate change, working at the highest governmental levels, and collaborating with governments on all continents.

In addition to the monthly stipend, GCA provides 2 days of paid leave per months, and a public transport travel card for free business commuting within the Netherlands.

At GCA, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive team where everyone feels valued. We warmly welcome applicants from all walks of life and do not discriminate in any of our programs or activities based on race, color, religion, sex, nationality, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Join us and contribute your unique perspective to our collective success.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in this position, please submit your motivation letter and CV by following the link https://gca.org/about-us/join-us/ before 20 Feb 2025.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. The Global Center on Adaptation also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.