Internship Opportunity for Spring 2026

At our organization you will be an important resource and get hands-on experience on international collaboration through the Barents Euro-Arctic Council and Barents Regional Council.

For the upcoming internship period, we seek a university student or recent graduate interested in international relations and cross border cooperation.

As an intern at the International Barents Secretariat, you will get a unique opportunity to enhance your professional skills in international cooperation, project management and communication. You will be integrated into our team, and assist us in our daily work. This will include:

• Supporting and following up the ongoing international cooperation between Norway, Finland, and Sweden in the Barents Region, giving first hand insight into multilateral collaboration in the High North.
• Create communication content, update our webpage, and manage our social media profiles.
• Assisting in the planning and execution of meetings, events, and other activities we arrange.
• Assist in assessing project funding applications for the Barents Financial Mechanism.
• Contribute to the daily workings of the Secretariat.
  

It is important to us that our interns feel integrated into the daily work of the Secretariat, and in daily life in Kirkenes. For you to experience a good and meaningful internship period together with us, you should have some of these personal skills:

• You are eager to learn, and confident in sharing your thoughts and ideas.
• You enjoy being part of a team in an international environment.
• You are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people.
• You are confident in using or learning new digital tools.
• You have good communication skills in English, both spoken and written.
• You should be from one of the Barents countries (Norway, Finland, or Sweden) and speak one of the native languages.
• To be qualified for our internship, you must have completed two years of bachelor level studies as a minimum requirement.

We offer:

• A unique chance to enhance your professional skills and expand your network.
• A letter of recommendation after you have completed your internship, and a reference for future professional job applications.
• Accommodation in Kirkenes during your internship.
• Daily allowance to cover living expenses.
• Travel costs covered from your current home in Norway, Finland or Sweden, once, to and from Kirkenes.
  

Deadline for application is 10.12.2025 before CET 23:59.

The assignment period begins in January 2026 and lasts approximately three months, exact dates to be discussed with the selected applicant. Applications should include a personal motivation letter and a CV, both in English.

Please send your application to ibs@barents-council.org.

To know more about the practicalities you can check out our internship handbook. In case you have any questions, please contact Roy Hojem.