How to plan your nature sabbatical. 5 executive jobs. And a therapy workshop for 'knackered humans'.

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Well, it’s time for the second newsletter of the year already and we are diving in deep with opportunities to flex your brain, switch into an executive role and yes, support the rewilding of bears in Italy. I’ve got something for everyone, but if you’re wondering who’s writing this you can find out more about me here and subscribe.

It’s also been a rough few weeks of layoff announcements. If that’s you (or a friend) I have a few slots for virtual coffees over the next two weeks. Feel free to send a reply to this newsletter and we can schedule something.

But on to the newsletter. Today we’re going to explore:

• How to pivot from tech employee to board member

• 4 opportunities to take a mini sabbatical in nature

• A pick of summer internships ☀️

• 5 executive-level roles

• A therapy workshop for ‘knackered humans’

• And why Greece’s turtles might need you on a beach this summer… 🐢

And if your 2024 doesn’t seem to be going to plan so far, here’s some words of support from nature writer, Colin Fletcher…

 School is not out this summer

• USA: Sadly this is only for those with the right to work in the United States, but Netflix is hiring for a Sustainability & Live Experiences Intern. It’s paid, with 12 weeks accommodation support in LA. Obviously competition will be more than mildly intense for this, but it’s worth a go.

• London: The Wellcome Trust has been around since 1936 and funds global health research around mental health, climate and infectious diseases. They have a paid summer internship programme open to students enrolled in any academic area.

• Colorado/New York/Washington DC: Interested in live events and thought leadership? The Aspen Institute puts on a global ideas festival each year and they have multiple paid internship roles going. Applications close February 10th.

• Berlin: Rather than time boxed internships, a lot of university students in Germany take a 15 hour a week student job. Planet A Ventures is looking for a climate focused PR, marketing or journalism student to support their Communications team.

Executive roles for 2024…

• USA/Remote: Whether you like it or not we have a US election year ahead, and if you want to be front and centre, Vote Run Lead is hunting a Chief Communications Officer. The org focuses on finding innovative ways to engage women as candidates, voters and election leaders.

• Germany/Remote: Ready for a startup adventure? Holi is an app and digital space where people and orgs can kickstart activism, collaborate on causes and take action on issues that matter. They’re now hiring a Chief Marketing and Community Officer. You’d be the third C-level role alongside co-founders CEO Piet Mahler and CPO Timo Waurick. While being a German speaker will make this job easier, the team work largely in English.

• Global Remote: Look, you learn something new everyday — my new piece of knowledge is that Save the Children has a ventures and investing arm. And not only that, but they’re looking for an Executive Director of Climate Finance. While the job description says UK based, the role is fully remote, with a team based everywhere from Switzerland to Washington DC. If you want to know more reach out to their COO Amanda Cosby who’s hiring for this one.

• Bristol: This is a different kind of CEO role in one of my favourite UK cities, and perfect for those who are passionate about events, music and community spaces. After +150 years of existence and 5 years of refurbishment, the iconic Bristol Beacon venue is back open. They’re looking for someone to take the music venue forward as CEO.

• London: This is a big and vital role, and I’m including it because there’s a lot of climate readers on this newsletter and word needs to spread. The UK Climate Change Committee is looking for a new Chief Exec after CEO Chris Stark announced he’s stepping down - the org is an independent statutory body that pushes for the UK government to follow the Climate Change Act of 2008. A vital role in a UK election year.

***Have a C-level position you’re hiring for, that you need to get in front of more eyeballs? Hit reply and share some details for the next newsletter.

Call of the wild

• Support Greek turtles: When curating these opportunities I was saddened to see that the position for a wolf intern with the rewilding society of Poland had been filled. However, a more beach friendly opportunity awaits - the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece is recruiting for the annual summer migration of baby turtles down to the sea. You’ll need camping equipment and the ability to wield a torch.

• Rewilding the Scottish Highlands: No wolves here, but one of my favourite rewilding groups, Trees for Life is helping out the UK’s biggest bird charity with a restoration project. Summer spots are filled, but they need week-long volunteers for September and October. All aboard to Inverness 🚂!

• Bush regenerator in Australia: Reforest Now is a non profit doing large scale regeneration on old dairy farms around Byron Bay (in my opinion, one of the most beautiful parts of Australia). They’re looking for a Bush Regenerator. This is an ongoing role so ideal for those who are done with the office for good. But keep an eye on their volunteer page from May onwards as Australian tree planting season begins.

• Bears of Italy: Hold up, the Marsican brown bears of Italy need your help. Rewilding Apennines is looking for 2024 volunteers to help monitor species, set camera traps and hike up mountains - this one’s ideal for photographers and content creators.

Not quite able to swing some time out of the city rat race? May I recommend Jane Goodall’s audiobook, The Book of Hope, the ideal listen for those who have to keep it virtual.

Learning opportunities

• Tech Board Leadership 101: One of the top links in last month’s newsletter was the free charity board training. So to keep that theme going - here’s another free workshop aimed at getting global tech operators into non profit board roles. The session takes place next week and is being cohosted by serial entrepreneur, Aaron Hurst and Alethea Hannemann.

  • Want to know more? They just published this great piece in the Stanford Social Innovation Review.

• A workshop for knackered humans:  One of my favourite mental health orgs is Self Space. Based in London they provide ‘on-demand’ mental health support with a walk-in space in Shoreditch. They’re hosting a free creative psychotherapy session at the end of February - and yes, it is literally called ‘A free workshop for knackered humans’. Sign up to the online event here.

Next time

Got some roles you’re hiring for or a theme you’d like me to write about? Feel free to send suggestions or job posts across for inclusion in the next issue.

Wrapping up this newsletter now as the sun has just appeared in Berlin!

P.S. Got a spare second and feeling generous of heart?

But before I go… it feels weird to be working and writing while pain and horror continues to be inflicted in Gaza. In parallel free speech laws and rights globally are being challenged. There’s also been a jump on people losing their jobs over social posts and attending protests.

One org pushing to safeguard legal protections for free speech around Gaza is Palestine Legal. Based in the US, they are providing legal support and essential training - particularly to students who are campaigning on campus.

Want to know more about the org before jumping on to support?

• Naomi Klein detailed their work in her recent Guardian op-ed.

• Their Director, Dima Khalidi was interviewed here at the end of 2023.

Or maybe you want to support a non profit based outside of the United States? Human Rights Watch is also doing much-needed research work right now.

And finally, as the gap of division widens I recommend this Financial Times interview with philosopher Susan Neiman that came out at the end of last year. It looks at peace, historical memory and the right to expression.