Sustainability and Public Affairs Intern (Paris )

Backmarket
Paris, France
On-siteCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for candidates with a Master's in sustainability or public policy who synthesize complex information and engage in cross-functional collaboration, particularly in Paris or Bordeaux, France.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with a Master's in sustainability or public policy and regulatory analysis experience
    — “You're currently pursuing a Master's degree in Sustainability, Public Policy, Public Affairs, Environmental Studies, Law, Political Science, or related field
  • Individuals interested in shaping circular economy policy at EU and national levels
    — “Conduct legal analysis of bill drafts, parliamentary discussions, and votes related to circular economy at French, UK and EU levels

Things to consider

  • Requires an internship agreement from a French school, which may limit eligibility for non-French students
    — “Internship agreement from your French school required
  • Commitment to full-time work with 35 hours per week for six months
    — “Schedule: Full-time (35H/week)

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with ESG reporting or sustainability frameworks in your resume
    — “Contribute to tech impact monitoring and ESG reporting
  • Demonstrate knowledge of B Corp certification and circular economy policy in interviews
    — “Support Back Market’s B Corp recertification by compiling documentation, conducting benchmarking research
  • Emphasize your fluency in both English and French, especially written communication
    — “You're fluent in English and French (written and spoken)
  • Demonstrate your ability to manage multiple projects and work independently
    — “You're a team player who can work independently across multiple projects
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Support B Corp recertification
  • Develop responsible business practices
  • Shape regulatory framework for circular economy
Typical background
Master's degree in Sustainability, Public Policy, Public Affairs, Environmental Studies, Law, Political Science

Skills & requirements

Required

SustainabilityPublic PolicyPublic AffairsESG ReportingLegal AnalysisPolicy MakingStakeholder MappingExcel/google Sheets

Preferred

B Corp CertificationEU Legislative ProcessesData Visualization Tools

Stack & domain

ExcelGoogle SheetsAnalytical And Research CapabilitiesOrganizational SkillsSynthesizing Complex InformationTeam PlayerSustainabilityPublic PolicyPublic AffairsEnvironmental StudiesLawPolitical Science

About the role

Original posting from Backmarket via Ashby

HI, WE’RE BACK MARKET.

We’re here to help make tech reliable, affordable, and better than new. We're a global marketplace for refurbished devices, helping lower our collective environmental impact by providing trustworthy, affordable tech with 92% less carbon emissions than new.

Yep, you read that right. Turns out refurbished tech is way better for the planet than new. In fact, With every device purchased on Back Market, our positive impact on the planet grows. From our Customer Care representatives to our software engineer, every individual at Back Market cuts the planet — and consumers — a break. Our mission is simple: to do more with what we already have.

Are you ready to join us?

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Join Back Market's Impact team for a unique dual-mission internship where you'll contribute to both our Sustainability and Public Affairs initiatives. You'll support our B Corp recertification, develop responsible business practices with suppliers/sellers, and help shape the regulatory framework for the circular economy. This role offers a comprehensive view of how companies can drive systemic change through both internal sustainability practices and external policy advocacy.

YOUR MISSION (IF YOU ACCEPT IT): 🥇

Sustainability (50%)

  • Support Back Market’s B Corp recertification by compiling documentation, conducting benchmarking research, and maintaining progress trackers
  • Develop responsible business conduct practices by creating sustainability databases, drafting questionnaires, and preparing roll-out plans
  • Drive internal engagement through employee initiatives, sustainability events, communication materials, and philanthropy reporting
  • Contribute to tech impact monitoring and ESG reporting

Public Affairs (50%)

  • Conduct legal analysis of bill drafts, parliamentary discussions, and votes related to circular economy at French, UK and EU levels
  • Monitor policy-making processes at national and EU levels
  • Develop stakeholders mapping and contribute to position paper building
  • Participate in external meetings with policymakers, industry associations, and stakeholders
  • Track regulatory developments impacting refurbished electronics and circular economy

YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE IF: ⭐

  • You're currently pursuing a Master's degree in Sustainability, Public Policy, Public Affairs, Environmental Studies, Law, Political Science, or related field
  • You’re capable of reading and understanding the law and understand policy making processes in France and Europe
  • You have strong analytical and research capabilities with excellent organizational skills
  • You're fluent in English and French (written and spoken)
  • You're proficient in Excel/Google Sheets for database management and tracking
  • You can synthesize complex information into clear, actionable formats
  • You're curious about sustainability, ESG standards, circular economy, and regulatory affairs
  • You're a team player who can work independently across multiple projects
  • Nice to have: Knowledge of B Corp certification, familiarity with EU legislative processes, experience with data visualization tools

ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP ℹ️

  • Starting date: January 2027
  • Duration: 6 months (until June 2027)
  • Schedule: Full-time (35H/week)
  • Location: Paris or Bordeaux, France
  • Contract: Internship agreement from your French school required

RECRUITMENT PROCESS: 📅

  • Video-call Interview with the Talent Acquisition Specialist
  • Small research at home to prepare the technical interview
  • Technical Interview with the direct manager
  • Cultural fit Interview with another person in the team

WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN US ? ✌🏼

At Back Market, we’re committed to hiring and supporting diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives — it’s one of the reasons we’re such a high-scoring certified B Corp company (93.2).

No matter your role and seniority level, you’ll enjoy impact-driven work with hands-on career development in an innovative, driven, and fast-paced environment — with benefits to match, like:

  • A mission driven work environment where your day to day makes an impact on the planet. Seriously.
  • Hybrid work environment, with 2 remote days a week and 1 remote work week per quarter, plus 3 flex days.
  • Employee Resource Groups, including mentorship programs, comprehensive accessibility policies, and cultural competency training.

At Back Market, we strive to create a workplace that embodies the world we’re trying to change. We’ve embedded our diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into our DNA — from dedicated staff to employee resource groups to our company values.

We know that the perfect background for a role doesn’t mean the perfect fit — we encourage you to apply for a role even if you think you may not have all the qualifications.

If reasonable accommodations are needed for the interview process, please do not hesitate to discuss this with the Talent Acquisition Team.

Source: Backmarket careers (Ashby)

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