Sustainability and Public Affairs Intern (Paris )

Role Summary

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.

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.

Responsibilities

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

Requirements

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

Benefits

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.

About the Company

We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join our Circularity Order Lifecycle squad.

We're the team behind Back Market's Trade-in program, the system that lets customers exchange their old devices for cash toward their next refurbished purchase. It's a win-win-win: customers get more purchasing power, refurbishers get quality supply, and the planet gets a break from unnecessary e-waste.

To achieve this, our team is made up of seven engineers, an engineering manager and a product manager collaborating closely with designers, data analysts, operations and business partners.

Join us and help build the features that make it easier for customers and refurbishers to complete successful trade-in journeys.

As a Software Engineer, you will work closely with all members of your squad, and the Staff engineer of your group. Bi-monthly rituals with your group and the Chapter will allow you to share what works for your squad, learn what works for others, and make sure your technical direction is aligned with the overall vision.

What you will do in this role

We’re looking for versatile engineers who show strong ownership and are motivated to take on new challenges across the technical stack while helping us move our technology forward.

You will be working in an agile "build it and run it" environment where engineering teams build, launch, monitor and support the product that they own.

Additional Information

• 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