Trainee – Land-use and Climate Policy (French Speaker)

Trainee – Land-use and Climate Policy (French Speaker)

About Climate Focus

Climate Focus is a pioneering advisory firm specializing in policies, programs and projects that mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Our international multidisciplinary team works closely with clients in the private sector, governments, non-governmental and philanthropic organizations across the globe and a range of sectors, including forests and agriculture, clean cooking, renewable energy, transport, and energy efficiency.

We translate science and market intelligence into actionable advice relevant to today’s decision-makers and rooted in deep knowledge of climate science, policy, and finance. In addition to our analytical work, we support private sector and non-profit entities with the development of carbon projects and programs, focusing on nature-based solutions. We also support carbon market investors with project risk assessments and offer a wide range of due diligence, project structuring and legal advice.

We aim to drive and support impact, leveraging low-carbon and climate-resilient solutions and strategies.

Climate Focus was founded in 2004 and has offices in Amsterdam, Berlin, Bogotá, Rotterdam, and Washington, D.C. More information:  www.climatefocus.com

Job description

Climate Focus combines technical, legal, and policy expertise, enabling us to:

- Advise governments on policy design and implementation, in particular on nature-based solutions

- Develop and assess progress in policy implementation

- Strengthen forestry or agriculture projects from African local communities and civil society organizations (IPLCs) or co-design projects with them

- Assess the effective implementation of carbon market transactions

- Facilitate results-based climate finance and carbon market transactions.

- Enable the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and NDCs

- Engage stakeholders from national ministries to local communities, ensuring inclusive and effective land-use projects, initiatives, and policies

This is an excellent opportunity to join our company and work with a pioneering, versatile and dynamic team committed to making an impact.
As a trainee, you will work in close collaboration with your Climate Focus colleagues on the following tasks:

Support our team with the implementation of projects with a focus on francophone Africa, including:

- Analyze policy frameworks and assess implementation gaps

- Design and deliver capacity building and training, among others on carbon markets and climate finance

- Support the development of proposals and client briefs

- Contributing to the development, implementation and policy dialogue around sustainable land use

- Support clients in developing and structuring investments and programs that are supported by carbon and/or climate finance

- Take charge and/or support the management of Climate Focus projects

- Support the expansion of Climate Focus’s project pipeline.

Profile

- Master's degree in Environmental Sciences, Sustainability, Tropical Forestry or Agriculture, Climate Policy, International Cooperation/Development, Economics, Law, or similar

- Strong analytical capacities, including qualitative and/or quantitative analysis

- Excellent writing, communication and advisory skills

- Excellent organizational skills, including managing projects, personal time management, coordination with project partners and clients

- Spoken and written fluency in French and English (C1).

- Ability to work well within teams across disciplines and cultures

- Willingness to travel internationally

- Ideally, a first experience working in sub-Saharan Africa

What we offer

- A full-time 6 month contract

- Office location: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or Berlin, with a preference for candidates based in the Netherlands.

- Opportunity to work on a range of projects and a supportive environment to take your own initiative in acquisition subject to capacity

- An inspiring workplace among colleagues based in Bogotá, Washington D.C., Berlin, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam

- Ongoing support in personal and professional development on the job and through dedicated training

Application

Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter in French.

Candidates should indicate a date from which they are potentially available to begin.

Climate Focus values the positive impact that different experiences and perspectives contribute to our team. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities and are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills and abilities. We welcome applicants from groups that are under-represented in our field or who may face institutional barriers in accessing opportunities.

Applications will be considered until October 20th, 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.