2027 Legal Internship

Greenpeace International (NL); Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 7,800 - 10,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Laptop provided

Meal allowances (€5 per day)

Travel reimbursement (2nd class)

Flexible hybrid work

Job summary

Greenpeace International's Legal Unit in Amsterdam is offering six full-time legal internships for 2027, with start dates January or June. Interns assist campaign and organisational lawyers, gaining experience in environmental and human rights law while contributing to risk assessments and governance projects.

Eligible students and recent graduates must be legally able to work in the Netherlands; Dutch language skills are a plus.

Qualifications

• Law student towards the end of studies or recent law graduate (LLM, JD or equivalent).
• Strong background in international environmental law; human rights law; public international law; civil law including tort and contract; media law; information law; law on freedom of expression.
• Having a Dutch civil law background is an advantage.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. At least two interns will be required to speak Dutch. Other languages are an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Legal Unit's campaigns, communications and organisational lawyers on projects.
• Provide risk assessments for Greenpeace projects and support for civil society NGO governance.
• Learn about trademark and IP licensing, good governance practices for NGOs, and compliance with relevant laws.
• Work independently while following instructions and proactively contributing to projects.

Skills

Analytical skills

Independent working

Initiative

Proactive

Fluent English

Education

Law student nearing graduation or recent law graduate

Job description

Internships: Internship / Fixed term for up to 6 months / Full Time (40 hours per week)

Location: GPI is based in the Netherlands. To comply with Dutch laws and regulations, GPI can only accept candidates that have a Dutch social security number (BSN), or can obtain it at short notice (EU and Swiss nationals could be possible - although this is highly situation-dependent). We encourage applications from candidates from various backgrounds.

The Legal Unit (LU) of Greenpeace International is seeking six interns for 2027. The LU advises Greenpeace International, and when necessary the independent national and regional Greenpeace organisations, on campaign strategies and organisational legal issues. This internship will assist the LU's campaigns, communications and organisational lawyers, who work to advance campaign goals through both proactive and defensive legal strategies, provide risk assessments for projects and advocate for a strong enabling environment for civil society organisations.

Alongside the daily practice of the LU, there are various research projects that, in accordance with the specific interests and background of the intern, can be undertaken. Over the past year, this has ranged from assisting the LU’s efforts to proactively use the courts to hold governments and corporations accountable for environmental destruction and human rights violations to helping Greenpeace build resilience against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) designed to shut down assembly and advocacy rights. Other topics you could expect to learn about and contribute to are trademark and IP licensing, good governance practices for NGOs, and compliance with the laws and regulations applying to the Greenpeace fleet.

The legal interns play an important role in the development of LU projects, and the position, therefore, involves a great deal of responsibility and self-directiveness. With this in mind, we are looking for candidates with exceptional analytical skills, initiative, and drive. We are looking for the ability to work independently while following instructions and also proactively contributing to the project by anticipating needs and thinking creatively.

The legal internship is a full-time position (40 hours per week) for a period of six months. We will select interns for two starting dates either January 2027 or June 2027. Interns receive 800 euros NET as a monthly stipend. As of the time of this advert, our office in Amsterdam is open and the internship can be a combination of virtual and in-person from the GPI office.

Essential Skills / Qualifications:

• Law student towards the end of studies or recent law graduate (LLM, JD or equivalent).

• Strong background in (preferably more than) one of the following: international environmental law; international human rights law; public international law, including the law of the sea; civil law, including tort and contract, media law; information law; and international law on freedom of expression.

• Having a Dutch civil law background is an advantage.

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. At least two of the recruited interns will be required to speak Dutch. Other languages are an advantage.

Required Competencies:

• Strong analytical skills;

• Ability to work independently and with strong initiative;

• Self-confident, focused, pro-active and result-oriented;

• Flexible attitude to shifting work priorities.

What you can expect:

You’ll be encouraged to develop both personally and professionally, taking advantage of the wide range of learning and development opportunities available to our staff. Staff can also access various wellbeing initiatives and also have the opportunity to join our global Equity, Diversity & Inclusion staff communities.

The fine print:

• An Internship is intended for students or recent graduates who have less than 12 months experience in a relevant field.

• Interns are entitled to 800 euros net as a monthly stipend (based on your full-time /40 hours per week internship).

• 2.5 days of leave per month for study or other purposes based on your full-time internship and the leave days can be taken in coordination with the supervisor.

• You will be provided with a laptop for use during your GPI internship, and GPI will offer necessary office equipment if needed.

• The travel costs (2nd class) for interns to travel from their home in the Netherlands to the GPI office can be reimbursed.

• GPI will provide meal allowances (€5 Euros per day) on your working days during office hours.

• The Greenpeace International office in Amsterdam is open and available for working. A combination of remote (within the Netherlands) and from the office work is possible and is the most common way of working.

• If not otherwise present at the office, the candidate should be able to commute into our Amsterdam office when invited to do so for specific meetings or events (with necessary travel costs covered). Travel outside of Amsterdam may also occasionally be requested, for which necessary costs will be covered.

• Interns must be eligible to legally work in the Netherlands and attain a registered address (BSN), and a valid Insurance in the Netherlands.

About us:

Greenpeace is a global campaigning network. It comprises 25 independent national/regional organisations and a coordinating organisation, Greenpeace International. Greenpeace uses peaceful, creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems and develop solutions for a green and peaceful future.

Our goal is to ensure the ability of the earth to nurture life in all its diversity. That means we want to:

• Protect biodiversity in all its forms.

• Prevent pollution and abuse of the earth’s ocean, land, air, and freshwater.

• End all nuclear threats.

• Promote peace, global disarmament and non-violence.

If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please email us at [e-mail]. Please note that all applications have to be filled out via the website and can't be submitted via this email.

We welcome everyone to apply for our positions. We understand that some candidates hesitate to apply unless they meet 100% of the criteria. However, we strongly encourage you to apply if you meet some of the key criteria for our roles. We’d love to know how your unique experience can bring value to our team. We believe in people power and having representation from many different communities to effect change.

Greenpeace International is an equal opportunity employer with a longstanding commitment to providing a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual. We recognise and value the benefits and strengths that diversity brings to our employees and the whole organisation, and we thrive in an environment that encourages respect and trust. We do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship, colour, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and would like to invite you especially to apply!

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 14th of September 2026, 23:59 (CET)

Interview: 5th - 16th October 2026

Start internship: Early January 2027 or early June 2027

For further information about this role, please see the full job description.