ABOUT PLAN BLEU
In 1976, the Mediterranean coastal States and the European Community adopted the Barcelona Convention to protect the marine environment and coastal areas of the Mediterranean. The signatory countries acknowledged the need to collectively address development and environmental challenges in order to build a sustainable future for the region.
Plan Bleu is one of the Regional Activity Centres of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It has been hosted by France since 1977. Plan Bleu notably produces:
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Thematic studies on issues such as aquaculture, desalination, tourism, biodiversity, coastal sustainability, and sustainable finance;
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Forward-looking scenarios aimed at raising awareness among Mediterranean stakeholders and decision-makers on environmental and sustainable development challenges in the region;
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Regional monitoring of the state of the environment and development through its observatory.
Its mandate is guided by the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development, a regional policy framework designed to support countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda in the Mediterranean context.Introduction
As part of its workstream on resilient cities and in preparation for a future GEF-9 project concept building on the MedProgramme, Plan Bleu seeks to strengthen its analytical work on:
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Climate resilience of Mediterranean territories;
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Resource sufficiency (water, land, energy) in urban and peri-urban areas;
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Integration of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into urban policies and resource management strategies;
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The interlinkages between agriculture, biodiversity, and sustainable water management.
The internship will directly support the development of these workstreams and the preparation of future projects.
Internship Objectives
The primary objective of the internship is to support the project portfolio of the “Nature-based Solutions and Resilient Cities” Project Officer, particularly in the areas of ecological transition governance and public policy analysis related to cities, NbS, and agriculture–water issues in the Mediterranean.
In this context, the intern may be expected to:
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Contribute to the development of the “Resilient Cities” Programme of Work (climate resilience, resource sufficiency, integration of NbS into urban policies);
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Support the preparation of the GEF-9 project concept (as a continuation of the MedProgramme), strengthening the agriculture–water dimension (water dependency of agricultural systems, agriculture–biodiversity–resource management synergies, food security issues, etc.);
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Conduct literature reviews, policy analyses, and briefing notes on public policies, adaptation measures, and examples of NbS projects in Mediterranean cities;
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Contribute to the valorisation of experiences and case studies (factsheets, syntheses, presentation materials), particularly on the implementation of NbS for climate adaptation and urban/peri-urban renaturation;
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Assist in the preparation and follow-up of multi-stakeholder exchanges (workshops, exploratory interviews, meetings with partners), in support of the Plan Bleu team.
Depending on the progress of the internship and team needs, the intern may also contribute to cross-cutting work on biodiversity, protected area management, and climate change adaptation in the Mediterranean.
Learning Outcomes
The internship will enable the intern to:
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Deepen their understanding of ecological transition governance, climate change adaptation, and natural resource management challenges in the Mediterranean;
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Strengthen their skills in public policy analysis, synthesis writing, drafting briefing notes, and coordinating multi-stakeholder processes;
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Gain insight into the functioning of a UNEP Regional Activity Centre and the regional dynamics surrounding the Barcelona Convention.
Reporting and Working Relationships
The intern will report to the “Nature-based Solutions and Resilient Cities” Project Officer and will work closely with other thematic experts and the Director of Plan Bleu. The intern will participate in team meetings and will be fully integrated into ongoing activities.
Required Profile
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Master’s degree candidate (final year – Master 2 or equivalent) in Governance, Ecological Transition, Environmental Studies, Public Policy, Environmental Social Sciences, Urban Planning, Ecology, or a related field;
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Strong understanding of ecological transition, climate adaptation, and biodiversity challenges;
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Strong interest in Nature-based Solutions, urban policy, and territorial resilience;
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Strong analytical, synthesis, and writing skills; experience in conducting interviews or qualitative research would be an asset;
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Ability to work effectively in a team, curiosity, autonomy, and attention to detail;
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Minimum B1 level in English (document review and possible exchanges with Mediterranean partners in English).
Location and Duration
The internship will be formalised through a six-month agreement, from Wednesday 1 April 2026 to Thursday 1 October 2026. The position is based in Marseille (Tour La Marseillaise), with the possibility of remote work two days per week. Financial compensation will be provided in accordance with applicable regulations.
Application Process
Please send a CV and cover letter by 6 March to: [email protected]
