The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The Ramsar Convention is independent of the United Nations system of environmental treaties and reports only to its own Contracting Parties, or Member States. The Secretariat operations are administered by IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The Convention Secretariat, which currently comprises 21 employees, is co-located with the world headquarters of IUCN in Gland (near Geneva), Switzerland.

The Secretariat initiated a regional internship programme in 1997 which allows four interns to assist the respective Senior Regional Advisors in their day-to-day work within the Secretariat. The tasks will rarely involve field work. Exceptionally, interns could be asked to visit projects or participate in meetings abroad. There will also be opportunities to attend international meetings held in Geneva and to become acquainted with other international agencies based there.

With an upper age limit for applicants of 30 years old, the post offers an opportunity for young graduates to become acquainted with the workings of an intergovernmental treaty dealing with the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

Candidates should be prepared to provide services for a period of at least 12 months. The assignment will be subject to a two-month probationary period. The Secretariat may offer an intern an extension of up to twelve months, i.e. for a maximum period of 24 months’ service.

The intern will report to the Senior Advisor for Europe.

More information

read the job offer on IUCN vacancy website