Intern - Fisheries (legal and policy)

ClientEarth is seeking an enthusiastic intern to work in our Biodiversity team. The internship will be at our London office and you will have the opportunity to work with the team focussing on European fisheries management. We are currently in the midst of an exciting phase of implementation of the EU Common Fisheries Policy, which includes the development of regional discard plans and new multiannual management plans.

You will have a relevant degree in law or legal studies. Knowledge of EU and UK environmental laws, and current issues in fisheries management and marine conservation will be advantageous. This internship is focussed primarily on legal analysis and advocacy regarding the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy, although use will also be made of the EU Habitats Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive. In this context the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with a specialised team of lawyers and scientists based in London and Brussels.

The internship will enable you to learn directly how environmental issues can be tackled through legal approaches. You will join our staff in regular learning and development events and be given full support in developing the skills needed to thrive in a professional environment. You will have the opportunity to hone your drafting skills for a variety of audiences and receive constructive feedback on your work from experienced professionals.

Key responsibilities

• Legal research, including reviewing biodiversity conservation/management laws and legislative proposals, and analysis of coherence between different legal frameworks;
• Reviewing legal cases and providing case summaries and legal updates to the team;
• Helping draft ClientEarth legal briefings and other external facing materials;
• Helping to foster effective relationships with key partners (for example in the European Parliament, Member States, industry, other NGOs), including preparing presentations on relevant legal issues and providing legal research capacity;
• Monitoring political developments relating to fisheries management and environmental laws in Europe;
• Producing briefing notes for staff on the basis of guided but independent research;
• Assisting with other general tasks to support the programme, depending on the circumstances arising this might include preparation of research memos, drafting/review of consultation responses and event organisation.

Although you will be mainly supporting the work of this specific programme you might be required occasionally to provide ad hoc support to other programmes or organisational processes.

Required skills and competencies

-       Strong legal research skills;

-       Excellent written and oral communication skills – ability to communicate new and complex concepts logically and effectively;

-       Ability to produce high quality outputs;

-       Ability to approach problems creatively and critically to help identify solutions;

-       Reliable and committed team member with strong interpersonal skills;

-       Ability to adapt language, both oral and written, to different audiences;

-       A degree of autonomy and initiative;

-       Able to work in a team, as well as independently;

Person Specification

-       Hold a law or legal studies degree (essential);

-       Demonstrable experience in high quality legal research (essential);

-       Fluency in English (essential);

-       Positive attitude and a strong commitment to working for the environment (essential);

-       Familiarity with Common Fisheries Policy (highly desirable);

-       Policy experience (desirable);

-       Ability to work in another European language (desirable).

Internship Arrangements:

We ask that interns commit to a minimum of 3 days per week for at least 3 months. The maximum duration for internships is 6 months. In instances where interns are not working full time, they should ideally commit to set days each week.

ClientEarth covers interns’ work-related expenses (travel and lunch) up to a value of £10 per day spent in the office.

To apply:

Please send us your CV along with the completed internship form which you can download here (link to form).

Please include “ClientEarth CFP (legal) intern - London” in the email subject line, and identify the documents you are sending by including “[your name] internship form” and “[your name] CV” in the file name.

Please send your application by email to: internship.uk@clientearth.org

Recruitment is now open and you should send your application as soon as possible

Applications close on 11 November 2015. Interviews are planned for 19 and 20 November 2015. The internship will begin as soon as possible (from 30 November 2015).

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Jana Ezzaouche jezzaouche@clientearth.org.