The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has opened applications for its Sustainability Trainee Internship, offering an exciting 12-month professional opportunity for recent graduates who are passionate about sustainability, climate action, environmental protection, and using sport as a force for positive global change. Based in Lausanne, Switzerland, this full-time internship allows young professionals to gain practical international experience while contributing to one of the world’s most influential sporting organizations.
The IOC is globally recognized as the guardian of the Olympic Games and the leader of the Olympic Movement. Beyond organizing the world’s biggest sporting event, the IOC works with governments, international organizations, sports federations, athletes, and commercial partners to advance sustainable development, inclusion, and positive social impact through sport.
This internship presents a unique opportunity to work alongside experienced sustainability professionals and contribute to projects that influence the future of international sport and environmental responsibility.
About the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
The International Olympic Committee serves as the governing body of the Olympic Movement and is responsible for ensuring the successful organization and long-term development of the Olympic Games.
The IOC collaborates with numerous international stakeholders, including:
- National Olympic Committees (NOCs)
- International Federations (IFs)
- Olympic Games Organising Committees
- Worldwide Olympic Partners
- Olympic broadcasting partners
- United Nations agencies
- International environmental organizations
- Governments and public institutions worldwide
The organization believes that sport has the power to unite people, inspire communities, and contribute to a better and more sustainable future.
About the Sustainability Trainee Internship
The Sustainability Trainee will join the Olympic Games Department and work directly with the Sustainability Team. The successful candidate will assist in implementing sustainability initiatives that support the IOC’s long-term environmental and social responsibility strategy.
The internship is designed for recent graduates seeking practical international experience while developing professional skills in sustainability project management, stakeholder engagement, climate action, reporting, and environmental partnerships.
Internship Details
- Department: Olympic Games Department
- Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
- Duration: 12 months
- Employment Type: Full-time Internship
- Activity Level: 100%
Key Responsibilities
As a Sustainability Trainee, you will contribute to a wide range of sustainability initiatives across the IOC.
Your responsibilities will include:
1. Supporting Sustainability Projects
You will assist the Sustainability Team in planning and implementing projects across several environmental focus areas, including:
- Climate action
- Climate adaptation
- Biodiversity conservation
- Sustainable procurement
- Circular economy initiatives
2. Supporting the IOC’s Sustainability Strategy
The trainee will contribute to sustainability initiatives across the IOC’s three major areas of responsibility:
- As an international organization
- As the owner of the Olympic Games
- As the leader of the Olympic Movement
3. Working with International Partnerships
The role involves supporting collaborations under internationally recognized sustainability initiatives such as:
- Sport for Climate Action Framework
- Sport for Nature Framework
You will also engage with global partners committed to advancing sustainability in sport.
4. Organising Sustainability Events
The trainee will help prepare and coordinate both internal and external sustainability events by:
- Preparing invitations
- Developing presentations
- Facilitating meetings
- Coordinating follow-up activities
These events may involve:
- International Federations
- National Olympic Committees
- IOC commercial partners
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
5. Preparing Reports and Dashboards
The successful candidate will assist in producing reports that measure sustainability performance, including:
- IOC procurement sustainability reporting
- Carbon footprint monitoring
- Sustainability dashboards
- Progress tracking reports
6. Managing Sustainability Programmes
The trainee will also coordinate selected sustainability programmes, including:
- IOC Climate Action Awards
- Athlete Sustainability Ambassador Programme
7. Supporting Cross-Departmental Projects
From time to time, the trainee will provide support to projects involving multiple departments across the IOC.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should meet the following qualifications:
- Recently graduated with at least a Bachelor’s degree in:
- Sustainability
- Sustainable Development
- Environmental Studies
- Or another closely related field
- Approximately one year of professional experience related to sustainable development
- Excellent command of English
- Knowledge of French or another language is considered an added advantage
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications including:
- Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Outlook
- Familiarity with sustainable development principles
- Understanding of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is desirable
- Good knowledge of LinkedIn and professional social media platforms
Personal Skills Required
The IOC is looking for candidates who demonstrate excellent professional and interpersonal qualities.
Ideal candidates should possess:
- Strong planning and organizational skills
- Excellent time management
- Dependability and accountability
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Critical thinking abilities
- Initiative and proactive problem-solving
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Respect for diversity and inclusion
- Ability to work effectively with people from different cultures and backgrounds
- Commitment to the Olympic values and ethical standards
Why You Should Apply
This internship provides much more than workplace experience. It offers the opportunity to become part of one of the world’s most respected international organizations while contributing to meaningful sustainability initiatives.
Benefits include:
- International work experience in Switzerland
- Professional development in sustainability
- Exposure to global environmental projects
- Networking with international organizations and experts
- Experience working alongside professionals from more than 70 nationalities
- Opportunity to contribute to climate action and sustainable sport initiatives
- Flexible working environment
- Competitive employee benefits
- Inclusive and diverse workplace
- Opportunity to support the Olympic Movement’s sustainability goals
This experience can significantly strengthen your career profile if you aspire to work in sustainability, international development, environmental policy, sports governance, climate action, or global organizations.
Apply Here
Learn more about this opportunity here
Why This Opportunity Matters
Sustainability has become one of the IOC’s highest strategic priorities. Through this internship, successful candidates will gain first-hand experience contributing to environmental programmes that have worldwide influence across international sport.
Working with organizations such as UNEP, IUCN, and UNFCCC provides invaluable exposure to international sustainability practices and strengthens future career opportunities in both public and private sectors.
For graduates seeking a career where sustainability meets global impact, this internship offers a rare opportunity to help shape the future of responsible sport while building practical skills that are highly valued worldwide.
Application Deadline: No application deadline has been specified. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
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