Internship - Research, analysis and support to the Fair Financial Systems and Investments Unit

Do you want to fight for equality? Tackling inequality at its roots, together with colleagues, our partner organizations and activists in more than 90 countries? To change the systems behind it, once and for all!

Oxfam Novib stands behind the people who stand up for equality. Together, we fight for a world where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of gender, ethnicity or skin colour. A world where everyone feels safe; where income gaps are shrinking instead of growing, where climate change is tackled in a firmer and more honest way. 

Equality is the common thread in our work and projects, both internally and externally. We recognize that our team of colleagues can become even more diverse, and that only with a diverse team can we gain a broad perspective on the world. Therefore, we want to encourage everyone who hesitates to apply, no matter the reason. Our aim is to create an environment where everyone not only feels welcome, but where diversity is embraced and celebrated. Let's strive together to build a team that offers a rich variety of perspectives, enabling us to achieve an inclusive and inspiring work environment.

Apply and become part of Oxfam Novib!

Internship description

This internship is within the FAIR Financial Systems and Investments Unit. The main objective of the intern is to provide research, analysis and administrative support to (i) Oxfam Novib's Public Finance and Inequality team and (ii) the Fair Finance International team, both worldwide (mainly focused on Africa, Asia and Latin America) and in the Netherlands.

The FAIR Financial Systems and Investments Unit

The FAIR Financial Systems and Investments Unit addresses extreme inequality and climate change driven by todays’ growth-focused economic system. It focuses on a fair tax system and public spending, living wages, decent work, responsible investments & entrepreneurship beyond growth.

Our Unit’s work is situated in our call for an economy centred around justice, care and sustainability rather than corporate profits and GDP growth, what we call a ‘Human Economy’. Oxfam Novib's Human Economy agenda aligns with global efforts for economic systems change, by movements such as decolonial and feminist movements, the postgrowth movement and the wellbeing economy movement.

The unit's different teams (Fair Finance, Public Finance & Inequality, Impact SME development, and Impact Investment & Microfinance) all aim to contribute to this shift towards an alternative economic system. The  intern will be part of the Public Finance and Inequality and Fair Finance teams but will also learn from and contribute to other pieces of work within the Unit.

The Public Finance and Inequality team is dedicated to supporting colleagues and partners in 10+ countries to build powerful influencing to end extreme inequality, through fairer taxation and better spending for health and education. We want to #endtaxhavens through lobbying the Netherlands and other governments. The team also supports colleagues and partners in advocating for a more inclusive international tax governing body through the UN tax initiative. One of the tools we use is the Fair Tax Monitor; this is an evidence-based, comprehensive advocacy tool which allows CSOs to analyse multiple areas of national tax systems – including on tax & gender, taxation of extractive activities and taxing the wealthiest – and provide recommendations to make tax fair.

Fair Finance International (FFI) is an international civil society network of over 100 CSO partners and allies, hosted by Oxfam Novib, which seeks to strengthen the commitment of banks and other financial institutions to social, environmental, and human rights standards. 

As a global network we use a rigorous methodology to assess, report on, and campaign for more responsible investment policies & practices. By benchmarking the investment policies and practices of financial institutions in critical areas such as human rights and climate impact, we mobilize citizens to demand more socially responsible, fair, and sustainable investments.  

Through Policy Assessments and case studies, FFI provides evidence-based research and analysis for critical dialogues with banks, for informing the public, and for ensuring improved democratic oversight of financial institutions. The FFI network recently expanded to new countries in Latin America and Africa.

Key tasks

• Create content for communications materials such as newsletters, blogposts, webpage, social media, infographics and case-studies
• Being involved in overall project management cycles, including where needed drafting input for fundraising, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation
• Engage and collaborate with colleagues and partners on research and advocacy on fair taxation and public spending, including in the areas of tax and gender, taxation of the extractive sector and taxing the wealthiest
• Contribute to ongoing research and advocacy efforts on the role of the Netherlands, EU and global bodies in Fair Taxation, Climate Financing and other relevant topics
• Contribute to qualitative analysis of the Fair Finance Guide methodology
• Share research findings and insights through presentations, workshops, articles or other tools
• Assist with support and preparing meetings (offline and online)

Who are we looking for?

• A student in a Bachelor’s or Masters’ degree in a relevant study
• A highly motivated, result-oriented team-player with:
• Experience with website and social media, good command of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Power Point, Excel, and Word)
• Interest in the fields of advocacy, fair taxation, climate financing and sustainable finance
• Experience in analysing qualitative data
• Good communication skills in English, verbal and written
• Strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• A good understanding of organizational and public communication processes
• Willingness to learn and share your knowledge with others
• Ideally, although not a requirement, you also have:
  • Previous internship experience
  • Proficiency in Spanish
  • Proficiency in French

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants to the internships at Oxfam Novib must meet the following requirements:

• Be an active student of 18 years of age minimum.
• Be enrolled at a Dutch educational institution (first level university degree, higher schools (HBO) or other), with the internship being a requirement in the curriculum;
• Have the legal right to live and work in The Netherlands or be prepared to obtain the right to follow an internship as part of their study in the Dutch educational institution. A three-partite internship agreement (between Oxfam Novib, the educational institution and the student) will be signed to that effect.
• Have less than 3 years of relevant full-time work experience.
• Not having been in employment with Oxfam Novib previously.

Our offer

An intern in Oxfam Novib is offered an internship contract for the duration of the internship and a monthly allowance based on €450,- per month on a basis of a 36-hour work week, pro-rata in case of less hours. The internship is open for to 36 hours per week, depending on candidate availability. 

The intern is expected to have a student OV card; however, if not applicable, a reimbursement of commuting costs will be offered.

Oxfam Novib works on hybrid basis – partly from office, partly from home. 

During the internship, the intern is supervised, overarching by the Manager of the FAIR FSI Unit and daily/weekly by a designated colleague/buddy. The period of this internship takes place between August/September 2024 until December 24/February 2025 (between four and six months).

Working at Oxfam Novib

All our work is guided by our core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Courage, Solidarity and Equality.

At Oxfam Novib, we work according to the Feminist Principles - Oxfam Policy & Practice.

Oxfam Novib is based on the power of difference. That is why we aim to attract a diverse mix of talented people who share our standards, values, and principles, and who are committed to prevent and eliminate any type of misconduct.

We have an active policy against sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, any form of abuse of power or lack of integrity and financial misconduct. This subject will be covered in our application and selection process.

Additional information

Do you believe that this is the internship you are looking for? Then we would love to receive your application! Please note that only applications received before the closing date of 5 May 2024, and submitted via our application portal will be taken into consideration.

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Henrique Alencar, Tax and Inequality Policy Advisor of the Public Finance and Inequality team, henrique.alencar@oxfamnovib.nl.