Internship - Communication and Advocacy- Walking the Talk

Application deadline:    14 May 2024

Reports to:                     Communication Officer & Advocacy Officer

Scope:                             Europe

Internship period:          5-6 months, starting August or September 2024

Location:                         Hivos Global Office, The Hague, the Netherlands

Hours:                             24-32 hours per week

Hivos is seeking an enthusiastic communication and advocacy intern for the Walking the Talk program. We’re looking for a self-motivated person who is passionate about feminism and curious to learn about advocacy and communication both at the Dutch and European levels. In this position, focus will be put on learning, growing and gaining experience in the field of feminism and international development, with an emphasis on your own learning objectives. You will closely work with three European consortium partners, as well as with feminist allies from the Global South and North.

Background

European countries contribute significantly to advancing gender equality worldwide. But there is increased pressure on Official Development Assistance (ODA), especially on funding for gender equality and progressive feminist values. At the same time, when decisions are made about Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) or ODA for gender equality, (young) feminists and LGBTIQ+ persons from the Global South are not structurally engaged, even though these decisions directly affect their lives and work.

On the positive side, there is momentum to give gender equality, and more specifically, feminist approaches, a decisive boost. Various governments are now developing or implementing FFPs in recognition of the importance of feminist approaches to ODA.

About the program

To boost the momentum, the Walking the Talk consortium brings together four European organizations: Equipop (France), Restless Development (United Kingdom), the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy (Germany), and Hivos (the Netherlands, and lead of the consortium). Together we will utilize our extensive collective experience to embed gender equality in foreign policies, practices, and Official Development Assistance spending and to ensure that the perspectives and ideas of (young) feminists from the Global South are included in decisions about gender equality Official Development Assistance and Feminist Foreign Policy.

Responsibilities

Tasks that will be part of the intern’s assignment may include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in planning and creating content for the Hivos website and social channels (articles, social posts, e-mail, etc.).
• Support the national and international advocacy events, like debates, panels, conferences, or feminist saloons. This can be in logistical support, help promoting the events, arranging speakers, etc. Learn more about previous events here.
• Support advocacy efforts on Dutch foreign policy level. This can include assist in writing reports and pitches for decision-makers.
• Collaborate with colleagues on new ideas, directions, and tools for communications.
• Contribute to the research component of the program. This could for example be on feminist financing, but can be based on interest.
• Popularizing research findings in creative ways to make these accessible and tangible to a general audience.
• Collaborate with consortium members and allies from the Global South and North, to ensure that advocacy and communication efforts are aligned and reflect their priorities.
• Please note that the intern does not carry the full responsibility of these tasks. The intern will always work together with the Walking the Talk team.

Profile and requirements

• A strong belief in and embodiment of Walking the Talk’s values and principles

• Bachelor or Master student registered at Dutch University in the field of Communication Science, International Relations, Political Science, Gender Studies, Public Administration, Global Health or related studies.

• Full professional proficiency in English with excellent written and verbal skills, fluency in Dutch if possible.

• Interest in Human Rights, Gender Equality, Feminist Financing and/or Feminist Foreign Policy.

• Knowledge and/or interest in the Dutch political context on Gender Equality, Official Development Assistance and Feminist Foreign Policy.

• Excellent communication, planning and relationship-building skills in multicultural settings.

• Team spirit and collaboration.

• Sense of humor and positive attitude.

• Imagination and creativity for solving challenging problems.

What we offer

This internship position focuses on the opportunity to grow and learn from others in the field of feminism and international development. The advocacy officer and communication officer will provide mentorship and regular check-ins throughout the internship process, with an emphasis on your learning objectives. This internship can be used for tertiary education credit if required.

In this position, you will work at Hivos’ Global Office in the city center of The Hague, where a part of the program team is located. Other team members are based in the UK, France, Germany, and Brussels. You will also be part of an international community of highly motivated and dedicated people working to advance gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in a wide variety of contexts.

We offer a contract for 24-32 hours per week based on Hivos Global Office labor conditions. The Internship allowance is €400,00 per month based on a 36-hour work week.

We provide a laptop and, if needed, travel expenses according to our commuting policies. Hivos additionally works according to a 50/50 schedule, which means you may work from home during half of your contract hours.

The starting date of the internship is flexible, but no later than September 2024.

Want to apply?

Please submit your CV and answer the questions provided by 14 May 2024 at the latest, by clicking on the ‘Apply here’ button. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Hivos reserves the right to close the internship vacancy before the application deadline if a suitable intern is identified. Therefore, interested intern candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

If you are selected for the final stage of the selection process, please note that professional references (if available) and a certificate of conduct (VOG) will be requested due to our Safeguarding Policy. Exceptions will only be made, if there is a local legislation prohibition or when the candidate is unable to obtain such a certificate due to activities on LGTBIQ+ and Human Rights. We may check social media – unless applicants state they do not wish us to do so. Accuracy of information in the curriculum vitae will also be checked.

About Hivos

Hivos is an international development organization guided by humanist values. Together with citizens and their organizations, we aim to contribute towards just, inclusive and life sustaining societies where people have equal access to opportunities, rights and resources. We work in partnership with others in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America on three impact areas: Civic Rights in a Digital Age; Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Climate Justice.