The CFC is seeking to recruit an Intern, based in its Amsterdam office, to support the work of the Operations Unit. This is an excellent opportunity for a Bachelors / Masters student, or recent graduate, resident in the Netherlands, with an interest in remote sensing, sustainable agriculture and (agro)forestry. This position is especially interesting given the work of the CFC with innovative agriculture projects in developing countries and the focus shaping deforestation-free (agri-)value chains. Applicants with interest and / or experience in GIS and remote sensing are strongly encouraged to apply.

This position is being offered on a full-time or part-time basis of a minimum of 2 working days a week for a period of between 3 and 6 months. While the CFC is unable to pay a formal salary for internship positions, a monthly allowance of €50 per working day is provided to assist with living costs.

This internship opportunity will support the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) in its efforts to develop a spatial mapping approach to measure the environmental impact (climate, biodiversity, and more) of its forestry and agriculture projects. Currently, the CFC does not have an internal spatial monitoring setup or a structured method for tracking and reporting spatial data. However, we are actively working to develop our in-house capabilities in this area. This internship will play a key role in helping develop these systems, working alongside our team to establish structured processes for spatial data collection, monitoring, and reporting.

The GIS & Spatial Data Analyst Intern will support the work of the Operations Unit of the CFC, and her/his specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct desk research on GIS applications in agriculture, (agro-)forestry and landscape projects.
• Advise on the potential setup of GIS and spatial mapping capabilities within the organization, including identifying relevant tools, data sources, and methodologies.
• Support initial steps in integrating GIS and remote sensing data into project design, feasibility studies, and monitoring frameworks, considering project needs and institutional capacity.
• Support development of approach related to spatial data reporting to external donors, e.g. shapefiles 
• Research geospatial benchmarks for carbon sequestration, PES payment levels, and other key environmental and compliance metrics.
• Support the definition of impact indicators, targets, and risk metrics based on spatial data for programme monitoring and evaluation, aligned with the EUDR and certification schemes (such as Rainforest Alliance).
• Facilitate engagement with CFC investees that specialize in GIS and satellite monitoring by organizing meetings, setting agendas, and ensuring follow-ups to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Assist in building staff capacity by providing basic GIS training, creating user-friendly guidance materials, and offering support in understanding spatial data applications for project monitoring.
• Providing additional support for the Operations Unit as needed.

• Student or recent graduate in Geo-information Science, Geography, Forestry, Remote Sensing, or related fields.
• Proficiency in GIS tools and spatial data analysis, with experience in mapping, geospatial modeling, or remote sensing applications relevant to agriculture, forestry, or environmental management.
• Familiarity with PES, REDD+ projects, or other similar financing mechanisms in the agricultural and/or forestry sectors.
• Familiarity with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and voluntary certification standards related to geospatial mapping for ensuring deforestation-free value chains.
• Candidates with experience of living and or working in a developing country, or those who can provide insight into the workings of (agro)forestry projects are especially encouraged to apply.
• Good interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
• Desire and experience of working in a multicultural environment.
• Willingness to travel if and as required.
• Strong team player with excellent client service orientation and openness to feedback and new ideas, contributes to a good working environment.
• Experience and proven ability in the use of databases and spreadsheet programs, along with GIS software such as QGIS, ArcGIS, or other relevant tools. Proficiency in working with ESRI shapefiles.
• Good command of written and spoken English. Working knowledge of Spanish or French is preferred.
• It is important to note that the CFC can only offer internships to nationals of its Member States. For a full list of Member States please refer to the “About us” section of the CFC website.

Applicants should complete this short form and send a brief cover letter (max 500 words) and concise curriculum vitae, in English, to recruitment@common-fund.org including their FULL name and Vacancy Ref (2025-03) in the email subject heading.  

The closing date for applications is 18:00hrs (CET) on Friday, 18 April 2025.

Due to the anticipated number of applicants for this opportunity the CFC reserves the right to close this opportunity once sufficient applications are received, contact will be made with shortlisted candidates only.

Further details are available in the ToR