The European Students’ Union is hiring a Sustainability Intern

Are you a value-driven professional passionate about the student movement and about advocating for quality and inclusive education? Then apply now for ESU’s position: we are looking for a Sustainability Intern to join our team and implement our work to promote “Equal educational and social opportunities in an open and democratic Europe where students shape a sustainable future.”

More about ESU

The European Students Union (ESU) is the umbrella organisation of 45 National Unions of Students from 40 countries and thus represents over 20 million students in Europe. Since 1982, it represents and promotes the educational, social, economic and cultural interests of students at a European level towards all relevant bodies (European Union, BFUG, Council of Europe, and UNESCO) in the Education sector.

ESU’s work is focused on the Social Dimension, Lifelong Learning, Quality Education, Students’ Mobility and Internationalisation and Public Responsibility of Higher Education, and its activities include conducting European-wide research, partnership projects and campaigns, providing information services and producing a variety of publications for students, policy-makers and higher education professionals; ESU also brings together, provides resources, training and informes national student representatives on policy developments in higher education (HE) at the European level.

About the Position

An experienced, motivated and committed individual to be our Sustainability Intern.

Location: Brussels, Belgium or online, with the possibility of travelling
Collaboration of 24 hours per week
Starting date: October 2022, exact date to be confirmed
Duration: Until the end of December 2022, with the possibility of extension.
500.00€ monthly compensation.
Flexibility about teleworking.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

Work under the supervision of the Head of Secretariat and the Presidency of ESU
Map the status quo of fossil fuel investments in Higher Education Institutions in Europe and divestment policies (documentation of fossil fuel investments in Higher Education, top-level EU or national policies and laws, stakeholders etc)
Revise ESU events from a sustainability perspective and develop recommendations (e.g. based on to-be-researched good practices).
Coordinate and organise meetings, training and other relevant activities within ESU or for ESU in the area of sustainability

Eligibility requirements and skills/abilities

The skills and experience to do this job successfully include:

A person who is full of initiative, self-driven, curious, creative, flexible and results-oriented;
Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, youth-friendly and compelling manner;
Experience in sustainability issues (especially related to fossil fuels desirable but not essential)
Knowledge of how policy-making/governance works in general on national, EU and European levels, especially in regards to Higher Education
Strong ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team;
Having a background in youth or student organisation is an asset;
Good ICT skills (MS Office, MS Project, Google Drive, etc.);
Proficiency in written and spoken English; knowledge of other languages is an asset.

The position might require travel in Europe, fully covered by ESU.

How to apply?

ESU is committed to equality of opportunity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of sex, age, disability, gender identity, religion, ethnicity or any other direct or indirect type of discrimination.

If you are interested in applying for the position of Sustainability Intern, please send an email to jobs@esu-online.org with the subject line ‘Sustainability Intern – Your Name and Surname’, including:

Your CV (maximum 2 pages), Europass is better but not mandatory!
And the application form (in pdf format).

Optional:

Motivational letter explaining why you are interested in the position.

Deadline to apply and agenda:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to be invited to the following phases of the recruitment process, which will consist of one interview and, if necessary, a written assignment.

ESU Secretariat must receive all applications by the 23rd of August, 23:39 (CET)
Through late August, shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to an online interview.
Decision and notification shall take place around the end of August.

The selected person would ideally start working in the Secretariat of ESU in October 2022.

ESU is an equal opportunities employer dedicated to inclusion and diversity.

Belgium & life in Brussels

Belgium, a country in Western Europe, is known for mediaeval towns and Renaissance architecture and as the headquarters of the European Union and NATO.

Brussels has an estimated population of 2,065,284 people. In addition to ample green spaces, it is world-renowned for its fine beer, divine chocolate, and Belgian lace. Brussels is Belgium’s quintessential capital city, full of Art Deco taverns, unique Flemish art, towering Gothic cathedrals, and quaint guild houses.

Belgium is also home to NATO headquarters, the EU Commission, and the European Parliament. Brussels is referred to as the capital of the EU. The city centre is compact, very lively, peculiar and multicultural.

The city is easy to get around, has a good standard of living and an excellent working environment. ESU’s premises are situated in Mundo Madou, close to the EU district and the City. ESU can help with advice on reallocation and getting accustomed to life in Brussels.

Further information is available at https://visit.brussels/en, https://expatsinbrussels.be/en.

However, consider that moving to/living in Brussels is not mandatory for this position.

Protection of personal data

As the body responsible for organising the competition, ESU ensures that applicants’ personal data are processed as required by Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons concerning the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC. This applies in particular to the confidentiality and security of such data. You can request anytime by sending an e-mail to office@esu-online.org, to alter or delete your data or information about the data we processed and how it is stored.

For more information, please send an email to: jobs@esu-online.org or call the ESU secretariat: +32 2 329 00 27