Internship on Conflict and Peacebuilding

Are you ready to fight for equality? Join us in addressing the roots of inequality alongside colleagues, partner organizations, and activists in over 90 countries. Together, we can change the systems that hold us back.

Oxfam Novib stands behind the people who stand up for equality. Together, we fight for a world where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of religion, ethnicity, sex, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. A world where everyone feels safe; where income gaps are shrinking instead of growing, where climate change is tackled firmly.

We also prioritize sustainability in our daily practices. That’s why we offer a variety of delicious vegetarian and vegan food options, along with oat milk coffee, so everyone can enjoy tasty, eco-friendly choices.

Diversity is at the heart of our mission! We believe that a diverse team brings fresh perspectives, so we encourage everyone interested to apply. Let’s create a welcoming environment where all voices are celebrated!

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Internship on Conflict and Peacebuilding 

The SAFE Unit within the Oxfam Novib Programs Department develops and co-implements (influencing) programs in the following areas: Promoting Safe and Resilient Communities and Supporting People on the Move. The Unit is also responsible for upholding and promoting Oxfam’s humanitarian mandate within Oxfam Novib through program/proposal development, resource mobilization, and advocacy and campaigns in the Netherlands. In the fiscal year 2022/2023, Oxfam worked with more than 11 million crisis-affected peoples through 262 projects across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

The SAFE Unit is currently looking for an intern to support the Unit to take stock of Oxfam and partners’ policy positions on (at least) the following topics: root causes of conflict, peacebuilding, economic costs of war and the triple humanitarian, development and peace nexus. This in order to support the SAFE Unit to further develop its future policy and advocacy positions in line with the organization’s multi-annual strategy.

Key tasks

• Conduct background research and support Oxfam Novib in the drafting of policy documents/briefs focused on (among other topics) root causes of conflict, peacebuilding, economic costs of war, triple humanitarian, development and peace nexus.  
• Support on proposal writing and donor reporting for the SAFE Unit;
• Support on project implementation, e.g. through coordination/support on learning and influencing activities, and the Unit’s quarterly reporting.
• Draft quarterly Safe Unit newsletter and various internal/external communications materials.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute to brainstorming sessions. 
• Ad hoc tasks as per organizational needs, including note taking, event organization, logistics, administrative support, translating, editing, etc.  

Who are we looking for?

• You are enrolled in a PhD program/university and studying a relevant field such as conflict studies, international relations, political science, sociology, law, etc.   
• You have affinity with and/or (lived) experience working on conflict and human rights issues, advocacy, policy analysis, campaigns, politics, social change and civil society. 
• You have excellent and demonstrated writing, research, editing, organizational and coordination skills.  
• You think and act analytically and independently, and creatively to address problems. 
• You have affinity with coordination, communications, and knowledge management.  
• You are highly motivated, proactive, result-oriented and creative.  
• You have strong cultural sensitivity and gender awareness. 
• Fluency in English. Fluency in French and/or Spanish are distinct advantages.  

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Be a student of 18 years or older
• Be enrolled at a Dutch educational institution university degree or PhD) for the whole duration of the internship,
• This internship is formulated as work experience to develop an understanding of career objectives. Not meant to be a thesis internship
• 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 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. Interns are expected to be on-site in The Hague at least two days a week, with remote work flexibility.

During the internship, the intern is supervised, overarching by the [insert role of manager] and daily/weekly by a designated colleague/buddy. The period of this internship takes place between February and June 2025 (approximately a period of 5 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.

We will ask the chosen candidate to provide a contact for a character reference (it could be from the university/higher educational institution or other sources)

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 November 30, 2024 and submitted via our application portal will be taken into consideration.

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Suying Lai, Manager of the SAFE Unit at suying.lai@oxfamnovib.nl.