- Location: Manchester, UK (Central Manchester office), office-based
- Hours: Flexible – up to two days per week (approximately 15 hours per week)
- Salary: Manchester Living Wage (£13.45 per hour)
- Contract: 3 months
- Start Date: July 2026
The Global Labour Institute (GLI Network Ltd) is seeking a motivated and committed intern to join our small team as a Research & Communications Assistant based at our office in central Manchester.
This internship is designed as a learning and development opportunity for someone interested in labour rights, international solidarity, social justice and communications. We are looking for someone who can bring new ideas, energy, creativity and skills to the organisation. While the role includes supporting our research and education programmes, we are particularly interested in applicants who are enthusiastic about communications, digital engagement, and developing creative ways to share ideas and connect with wider audiences.
As a small organisation, we aim to shape the internship around the interests, strengths, and skills of the successful candidate wherever possible. We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds and are particularly keen to support someone looking to build experience in research, communications, education, or international labour solidarity work.
GLI offers the successful applicant a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience and become part of a global network of organisations and individuals committed to labour internationalism. However, as a small organisation, GLI is unable to guarantee future employment opportunities beyond this role at this time. As this is a part-time, short-term internship, it may particularly suit applicants seeking to gain additional experience alongside existing work, study or other commitments.
About GLI
GLI is an independent, not-for-profit organisation based in the UK. Established in 2010, GLI works with the trade union movement globally to support international solidarity, worker organisation and labour education through research, training and programme development. Our work is grounded in the principles of democratic socialism, equality, and environmental justice, but we are non-party political. The internship offers an opportunity to gain experience working with trade unions, international labour organisations and social justice initiatives in a small, dynamic, and internationally engaged organisation.
GLI specialises in research and education for organising precarious and informal economy workers, gender equality, and just transition, international trade union capacity development and education programmes, industrial policy and organising in global workplaces, and history and the political agenda of the international trade union movement.
Role Overview
The successful candidate will support GLI’s research, education and communications work across of a range of international projects and partnerships. Working as part of a small and collaborative team, the internship will involve contributing to:
- Research and writing on issues affecting workers and trade unions globally
- Development of educational materials and workshops
- Communications and outreach activities
- Creative digital engagement and dissemination strategies
- Support for international projects and events
We are especially interested in candidates who can help us think creatively about communications and audience engagement, including through social media, digital storytelling, visual communications, and online learning resources. The exact focus of the role will remain flexible and will partly depend on the successful candidate’s skills, interests, and areas they would like to develop during the internship.
Person Specification
Essentials
- Broad understanding of the principles and objectives of the labour movement, and an appreciation of the political foundations of the GLI and its partner organisations
- Interest in key issues of climate change, just transition, gender equality, labour and human rights, social justice, and democracy
- Interest in communications, digital engagement or creative outreach
- Knowledge and experience of digital communications tools and social media platforms
- Strong research and analytical skills
- Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and creatively in written and spoken English
- Strong organisational and interpersonal skills and ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a small team
- Competence in tools such as WordPress, Mailchimp, and Microsoft applications
- Eligibility to work in the UK
Desirable
- Non-English language skills, especially French and/or Spanish
- Experience working with trade unions, workers’ associations, or community-based organisations, in particular in the Global South
This internship is intended as a learning and development opportunity. If you do not meet every criterion but believe you have the skills, experience, and enthusiasm to contribute meaningfully to our work, we would still encourage you to apply.
GLI welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented communities. We are also committed to supporting applicants throughout the recruitment process and are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that may be required.
Interviews: Short-listed candidates will be invited to attend an in-person interview at our central Manchester office during the weeks commencing 22nd and 29th June 2026.
How to Apply: If you are interested, please send your CV (maximum 1 page) and a covering letter (maximum 800 words) outlining your interest and suitability in the role, what you would hope to bring to the internship, and what you would like to develop through the opportunity to: recruitment@global-labour.net (APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY EMAIL ONLY)
Deadline for applications: 18th June 2026
Click here to download the description and person specification.