Internship at the Dutch Embassy in Madrid

Description

Summary: This internship offers a dynamic experience at the Dutch Embassy in Madrid, focusing on agricultural, international, and legal aspects, including in-depth studies and event organization. Highlights: 1. Conduct in-depth studies on EU regulations in the fresh produce chain 2. Assist in organizing major fairs and stakeholder events 3. Contribute to sustainable trade and knowledge exchange within a dynamic team * Madrid * HBO, University Master * 40 hours * €800 * Agricultural, International, Legal * 1 Sep. 2026 \- 26 Feb. 2027 Apply by 16 May 2026 **What you will do** ------------------ The Embassy in Madrid is looking for an intern for the period from 1 September 2026 to 1 March 2027 (minimum 4 months, maximum 6 months). Internship with the agriculture team at the Dutch Embassy in Spain. You will be part of a dynamic team and an extensive economic network. You will conduct an in\-depth study on existing and upcoming European regulations related to the fresh produce chain (fruits and vegetables), and analyse their implications and opportunities for economic relations between Spain and the Netherlands within the context of European cooperation. You will also assist in the organisation of fairs and events. This is a diverse internship with engaging projects in an important EU Member State in the fields of nature, agriculture, and food. * Your main assignment is to conduct an in\-depth study on the implications of EU legislation related to packaging, environmental footprint, and food waste and loss, and their impact on the fresh produce (fruits and vegetables) chain between Spain and the Netherlands, as well as within Europe. * Contribute to a pilot project on the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) with Dutch and Spanish stakeholders. * Assist in the organisation of two major fairs, Fruit Attraction and Conxemar, and contribute to the team’s efforts to promote sustainable trade, knowledge exchange, and innovation. * Support the organisation of a stakeholder event as a follow\-up to the agriculture team’s protein study and contribute to activities related to our annual plan. **What you get** ---------------- * €800 * Research internship * 1 Sep. 2026 \- 26 Feb. 2027 * 40 hours **What we ask** ------------------ * Is in the final years of a relevant academic programme (HBO / WO). * Is dynamic, analytical, accountable, and creative. * Has an interest in the societal and political aspects of agriculture and food systems. * Can work independently and adapts to the work pace. * Has good communication skills and a strong cooperative spirit. * Speaks and writes Dutch and English well. * Has knowledge of and affinity with sustainable food systems and nature. * Spanish is important to understand and communicate with local stakeholders. Therefore, a minimum level of B1 (oral and written) is required for this position. **Where you will work** ------------------------- ### **More about Madrid** The agriculture team (LAN) focuses on strengthening cooperation between the Netherlands and Spain in the fields of sustainable agriculture and nature and biodiversity conservation. The LAN team in Spain is part of the economic cluster at the Dutch Embassy, which also includes the Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO) with offices in Barcelona and Valencia. The team in Madrid works closely with the LAN team in Portugal. The team consists of an Agricultural Counsellor, two Agricultural Advisors, an Agricultural Officer, and a Support Officer. In close cooperation with the broader network, the team’s work is guided by the Ministry of LVVN and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Main tasks include: I. Supporting Dutch agribusiness and promoting trade II. Contributing to European policy cooperation on agriculture, fisheries, nature, and food III. Supporting the transition to sustainable food systems in Europe IV. Promoting bilateral cooperation between the Netherlands and Spain within the LVVN domain ### **About the Ministry of Foreign Affairs** The world is changing rapidly. In a time when geopolitical tensions are growing and the international environment is becoming more turbulent, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) stands at the heart of global change. MFA’s work goes beyond policy alone: we ensure that the interests of Dutch citizens worldwide are safeguarded, that our values endure, and that our freedoms are protected. In doing so, we continually seek the right balance among values, prosperity, and resilience. These are not easy trade-offs — and precisely there lies MFA’s distinctive contribution. Working as one team, MFA collaborates with other ministries, each contributing its own role and expertise, to shape decisions affecting us all. From The Hague and across the world, we act daily to make the Netherlands stronger and safer. We are the link between the Dutch government, foreign governments, and international organisations. The ministry coordinates the Dutch government’s foreign policy, including development cooperation, and implements it. We build stability and security, but also opportunities: for Dutch citizens living, working or travelling abroad, and opening doors for businesses seeking international markets. In this way, we contribute to economic growth that benefits the Netherlands’ prosperity, and to a safe, just and sustainable world. With 157 embassies, consulates\-general and permanent representations, we are present worldwide. Together with over 3\.200 colleagues in The Hague, 800 seconded MFA staff, 360 attachés and liaisons, and more than 2\.200 local staff, we form a powerful network that carries out Dutch foreign policy. **Diversity and inclusion**MFA pursues an active diversity policy and strives for an inclusive organisation where each team comprises colleagues with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and personal characteristics such as gender (identity) and sexual orientation, culture and age. We also aim for MFA to reflect Dutch society and for local staff at our posts to reflect their local societies. We achieve this by optimally deploying and utilising people’s talents, and by pursuing diversity — including in gender, socioeconomic and cultural background, and age — in team composition and recruitment of new talent. **Additional information** ------------------ * Applications are accepted exclusively via the 'Apply directly' button. * The selection process includes application screening and an interview. Interviews will take place in May 2026\. **What we offer** An internship at an embassy offers an excellent opportunity to experience how the Netherlands operates internationally. Working on sustainable agriculture in an important EU Member State such as Spain will give you insight into how the Ministry contributes to bilateral cooperation within a European context through networks, knowledge exchange, and policy engagement. The internship offers both personal and professional development. You will further develop skills such as intercultural cooperation, analytical thinking, result orientation, and creativity. You will be fully involved in the activities of the agriculture team. **Learning assignment** The learning assignment will be further defined in consultation with you. Its main components include: * An in\-depth study on the consequences of the EU packaging, footprint, and food waste and food loss directives. * Gaining insight into how this legislation impacts bilateral trade between Spain and the Netherlands, as well as the broader European context; * Identifying opportunities and challenges in political and legislative cooperation between Spain and the Netherlands to help shape sustainable and practical policy outcomes for producers, traders, and sector organisations; * Providing recommendations on how the LAN team can position itself to play a facilitative role on this topic, in line with the policy guidelines of the Ministry (LVVN). Geopolitical tensions underline the importance of stronger European cooperation. The European directives mentioned are important steps to reduce the environmental impact of fruit and vegetable production and consumption. The Netherlands and Spain are among the leading countries in Europe when it comes to production and trade in fresh produce. Alignment between these leading countries is important to give traders and producers a clear framework to implement the packaging directive. This assignment is a practical and forward\-looking project focusing on how European legislation can be improved while maintaining sustainability ambitions and supporting European trade. **Terms and remuneration** General terms and remuneration can be found on this website. **General supplementary grant** During the internship, you will receive a limited internship and housing allowance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It will not always be cost-covering. In some cases, it may be possible to obtain an additional grant. For more information, visit wilweg.nl. **Feel free to ask your question** ------------------------ ### **More information about this vacancy** #### **Machiel Kommers** machiel.kommers@minbuza.nl