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Department: Olympic Games Department

Location: Lausanne, Switzerland

Contract Type: Internship (12 months)

Activity Level: 100%


The International Olympic Committee is the guardian of the Olympic Games and the leader of the Olympic Movement.


A truly global organisation, it acts as a catalyst for collaboration between all Olympic stakeholders, including the athletes, the National Olympic Committees, the International Federations, Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, the Worldwide Olympic Partners and Olympic broadcast partners. It also collaborates with public and private authorities including the United Nations and other international organisations.


If you are a recent graduate in sustainability looking to further develop your professional skills, and you are inspired by the opportunity to help enable impact through sport, this is an opportunity for you!


About the role:

As the Sustainability Trainee, you will be responsible for providing support to the Sustainability team in implementing specific projects related to its strategy.


Your responsibilities:

  • Support the IOC sustainability team on specific projects
  • In one or several of the following topics: climate action and adaptation, biodiversity, procurement and circularity
  • Across the three spheres of responsibility of the IOC: as an organisation, as owner of the Olympic games, as leader of the Olympic Movement
  • In relation to partnerships such as Sport for climate action framework, Sport for nature framework
  • Help prepare internal or external events (invitations, presentations, facilitation or follow-up) pertaining to sustainability such as:
  • Meetings with International Federations and National Olympic Committees
  • Meetings with IOC commercial partners
  • Meetings with Institutional partners e.g. UNEP, IUCN, UNFCCC
  • Help formalise progress reports/dashboards pertaining to different fields (eg: IOC Procurement work, IOC carbon footprint...)
  • Project management of some activities, such as the IOC Climate Action Awards and the Athlete Sustainability Ambassador programme.
  • On an ad hoc basis support cross functional projects that cut across various competency center of the department


Our requirements

· Recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sustainability, sustainable development, or a related field, as a minimum.

· Fluent in English; proficiency in French or another language would be considered an asset.

· Strong command of corporate IT tools and the ability to comply with internal technology and user policies (e.g. Outlook and other Microsoft 365 applications).

· Full proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

· Approximately one year of professional experience in a field related to sustainable development.

· Knowledge of sustainable development principles and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals would be an asset.

· Excellent understanding of social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn.


Behaviour and Attitude

  • Dependable, reliable and responsible.
  • Able to coordinate between multiple tasks with strong planning, organisation and time management skills.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills;
  • Critical thinking and proactive within daily work.
  • Ability to take an active part in achieving shared team objectives.
  • Ability to consider interpersonal differences and interact constructively with all kinds of people.
  • Respect the Olympic values and internal rules of conduct and all instructions and procedures in place (for example Information Security and Code of Ethics).


Come and join an organisation where the spirit of inclusion, gender equality and diversity is embedded in its DNA and which focuses on what unites us – a passion for sport and its values. Work in a flexible and rewarding environment which offers competitive employee benefits and numerous incentives to live a sustainable, healthy and active life. By joining us, you become part of the Olympic Movement and help to build a better world through sport. You will have the opportunity to work with people of more than 70 nationalities.