event 16 May 2019

Vacancy // Internship Opportunity at Water and Wastewater Companies for Climate Mitigation (WaCCliM)

The GIZ programme “WaCCliM” is looking for an intern with a background in water and/or environmental sciences, development studies, information and communication sciences, or a related discipline. The candidate must be currently enrolled as a student or graduated not longer than six months ago and should be fluent both in English and German.

Logo notext wacclim

Location: Bonn

Assignment period: 08/01/2019 - 01/31/2020

Type of employment: full-time

Application deadline: 05/28/2019

Job description

Limiting climate change requires substantial and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in all sectors of the economy, including the water sector. Energy intensity and GHG emissions associated with water management are poorly understood and have only partially been considered in water management and planning. However, water managers in developing and emerging economies are challenged to meet an increased demand for water and wastewater services of a growing urban population coupled with reduced water availability and the growing pressure to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions. Therefore, utilities have a big role to play in moving towards low-carbon and climate resilient water systems by effective mitigation efforts that consider both, energy use as well as GHG emissions. Furthermore, water and wastewater utilities have to adapt their operations to extreme weather conditions. By implementing combined mitigation and adaptation measures in the water sector, utilities can benefit in multiple ways.

The global project ‘Water and Wastewater Companies for Climate Mitigation’ (WaCCliM) cooperates with the partner countries Jordan, Mexico and Peru. The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) supports this project as part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The objective of WaCCliM is to advise water and wastewater utilities on their way to carbon neutrality and improved climate resilience. By this, the water sectors in the partner countries become climate smarter. The key objectives of the programme are 1) to integrate GHG reduction technologies such as energy efficiency, water loss reduction as well as energy and nutrient recovery into the operations of selected water and wastewater utilities; 2) to improve political and institutional framework conditions for climate protection in the water sector and 3) to develop capacities for climate protection in the water and wastewater sector. A key aspect of the programme is the successful replication of the pilot projects in the countries. The project is implemented jointly with the International Water Association (IWA).

Your tasks

This internship presents a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience on how the water sector can contribute to protect our climate and improve climate resilience. The work provides valuable insights into carbon accounting methods for the water industry as well as technology cooperation, policy advice and implementation of measures to reduce GHG emissions in three partner countries. The intern gains insight into challenges and the sensitive issue of communication with and between manifold partners from diverse backgrounds and with varying interests and capacities. The focus of this internship will be on assisting the development of a new project phase and elaborating communication products as well as supporting knowledge management of the project. Under the supervision of senior team members, the intern will be expected to support the team on a range of functions, including:

  1. Assist project team in the development of strategy and planning documents for the new project phase of WaCCliM
  2. Coordinate, edit and draft text, factsheets, publications for inclusion on the WaCCliM website, newsletters, media releases
  3. Support the development of an impact-oriented monitoring system
  4. Support to the internal and external communication of the global programme and the activities in the countries (e. g. preparation of presentations, fact sheets, reports and agendas, intranet appearance etc.)
  5. Assist project team in the preparation and implementation of a meeting of project partners in Germany including a study tour
  6. Support project progress reporting and knowledge management
  7. Ad hoc assignments and support to the project team

Your profile

The successful candidate should have at least a bachelor’s degree in water and/or environmental sciences, development studies, information and communication sciences, or a related discipline and be studying at master’s level.

The candidate should have strong communication skills to raise awareness on the under-recognized opportunity of GHG mitigation in the water sector. The candidate should be highly proactive and organized, able to communicate effectively and to work in a team, but also with the ability to work under pressure and deliver at short notice. The candidate will be able to manage and prioritize a number of tasks. Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills, particularly in written and spoken English and German are required.

Assets would be, but are not conditional prerequisites: experiences in media relations, working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator/Adobe InDesign, PR, Spanish skills, work experience in emerging economies and/or private sector companies.

Notes

  • Please be informed that you are only allowed to apply for this internship, if you are currently enrolled as a student or graduated not longer than six months ago.
  • Monthly stipend of €1.580,- (gross).
  • GIZ would like to increase the proportion of employees with disability, both in Germany and abroad. Applications from persons with disabilities are most welcome.
  • For further information, please contact Mr. Rued (soeren.rued@giz.de)

Application

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