Internships (general description)

Eco Innovation is looking for highly motivated interns / students interested in developing our structure through research, networking, fund-raising and other activities.

1. Duties

N.B.: this is a general list. Responsibilities will be discussed individually, letting priorities, skills, preferences etc, come into play. Actual tasks will therefore represent a fraction of the ones below. New potential tasks may also emerge during the course of the project.

1.1 Business plan / strategic agenda

• Interview EI members, gather feedback related to EI strategy;
• Develop our business plan, integrating latest changes of circumstances and opportunities;
• Prepare synthesis documents for internal approval (e.g., by EI Board) and external communication;
• Explore funding opportunities and contribute to proposal writing. Full guidance provided from confirmed proposal-writers;
• Contribute to define EI's corporate strategy and project portfolio.

1.2 General information watch & consolidation

• Google searches (general or focussed);
• Thematic literature searches in virtual libraries;
• Preparation of thematic digests and web pages;
• Preparation of draft reports (e.g., compilation of reports of activity from members' information);
• Web management: text, graphic, forum mining, online surveys (in collaboration with internet specialist).

1.3 Networking

• Identify similar networks and organisations;
• Maintain database of partners / potential partners / relevant entities;
• Contribute to external communication (e-newsletter, etc).

1.4 Logistics

• (with support from specialist) contribute to accounts and financial statements; compare Irish and Belgium accounts and tax systems.
• Procurement and misc.

1.5 Research: essays or thesis

For students in relevant disciplines, interested in eco-innovation issues: join us and write your essay/thesis with us. Research assistance is sought on several topics (see Projects menu and prospective topics). Topics can be adapted to match your personal interests.

2. Skills

Essential

• Demonstrated motivation for eco-innovation and sustainable development themes;
• Good public relations, writing and organisational skills;
• Proficiency / excellence in English if not native English speaker;
• Readiness to innovate and propose original solutions;
• Readiness to engage in in-depth communication in English with a range of actors (from the European Commission to local citizens).

Secondary skills (an advantage, but not essential)

• Knowledge of the French or Dutch language, and/or another non native language;
• Background / interest in Ecological, Institutional, Agricultural Economics, French Convention Theory, Socio-anthropology of sciences and techniques, and related areas;
• Web design and editing skills; experience with graphic and multimedia creation;
• Experience with Mac OS X platform.

3. Conditions

• Internship based in Dilbeek, lively Flemish-speaking town at the immediate vicinity of Brussels (Belgium). Our office are next to the train station with connection time to downtown Brussels under 20 minutes. Flexible options (e.g., part-time, teleworking) can be considered where appropriate;
• Possibility of travel for events or research, as required by EI's development;
• Financial compensation: to be negotiated;
• Start and duration: to be negotiated. Expressions of interest from students preparing a research essay/ thesis are encouraged;
• Access to offices with wireless internet broadband;
• Support and expertise provided from international network of committed professionals: logistics, proposal writing, research, thesis tutoring, etc.
• Access to organic vegetable gardens.

4. Application

Contact us for informal inquiry and/or application: CV + cover letter presenting your experience and motivation.