Community Engagement Intern

Job Title: Intern 

Department: Community Engagement, EMEA

Location: Madrid and Lisbon           

Reporting to: Head of Community Engagement, EMEA

We are Lightsource bp – and we’re on a mission to become a global leader in onshore renewables, anchored by our proven track record in solar development.

For over a decade we’ve been actively working to diversify the way our world is powered with sustainable and responsible renewable power. We work to safely deliver affordable, reliable, large-scale onshore renewable and energy storage solutions to help the world decarbonize.

Our growing business is constantly innovating and investing to help drive the energy transition. Our people and projects are focused on supporting long-term sustainable growth and energy security.

Lightsource bp operates with five core values: Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability, and Drive.

We seek to attract and hire individuals who share our commitment to creating a safe workplace, uphold the highest standards of integrity, and demonstrate respect for colleagues, communities, and the environment. Our recruitment process promotes sustainability by valuing long-term growth and responsible practices, while seeking candidates with the drive to innovate and lead in the global energy transition.

Together, these values shape how we engage, assess, and welcome talent to join us in delivering transformational solar power solutions worldwide. 

Lightsource bp was fully acquired by bp in 2024.

What you’ll do (the role)

The Summer Internship program is twelve weeks long and will run from June 1st 2026 to August 31st 2026. Interns will be paid 1.500€ brut/month. This is a hybrid role, and the trainee must be able to work from our office in Madrid at least 3 days per week.  

Summary 

Local communities in the territories where Lightsource bp develops, constructs, and operates its renewable projects are at the core of the business. Lightsource bp believes that constructive and enduring relationships with these communities is the key to delivering projects and facilitating the clean energy transition.

As an Intern, you will be supporting the implementation of the community engagement strategy at a project level across Spain and Portugal (Iberia), with the support of local collaborators and country teams. You will work with the local community engagement teams and consultants, cross-functionally and close with colleagues and other contractors from Lightsource bp’s Environmental Planning, Marketing and Communications, Government Affairs, Business Development, Construction, and other involved teams to design and lead meaningful community engagement and consultation programmes for multiple renewable projects across the country. 

The pipeline in Iberia includes projects of various renewable technologies (solar, wind, BESS) in different phases of implementation (development, construction, operation...) with varying sizes.

Responsibilities of the Role

All activities will be focus on the Spanish and Portuguese pipeline (Iberia region) and will be supervised by the local Lightsource bp´s community engagement team.

• Preparation of the engagement strategy and in the resolution of social related issues for each project.
• Preparation of engagement activities and meetings with key stakeholders to gather relevant information (preparation of presentations, reports and minutes of meetings).
• Delivery of the Community Engagement Plan (shared-value investment) for each project.

Why you’ll make a great member of the team

Experience & Knowledge Required

• Experience in energy and/or large infrastructures: Previous experience in renewable energy and/or other infrastructure projects is very valuable, as well as experience in Environmental Assessment process.
• Experience in community engagement and/or sustainability: Previous experience in Community organizing, outreach, advocacy, or related fields is highly desirable. Experience working with diverse Communities and populations can also be beneficial.

Skills Required

• Strong communication skills: verbal and written communication skills are essential for effectively conveying information, listening to Community concerns, and facilitating dialogue among diverse stakeholders. Fluency in Spanish is essential. Portuguese and English are desirable.
• Empathy and cultural competence: A deep understanding of and respect for cultural diversity, along with the ability to empathize with individuals from different backgrounds, are crucial for building trust and rapport within the Community.
• Active listening: The ability to actively listen to Community members, understand their perspectives, and empathize with their concerns is essential for fostering meaningful engagement and addressing Community needs.
• Interpersonal skills: Strong interpersonal skills are necessary for building relationships, resolving conflicts, and collaborating effectively with Community members, organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Organizational and project management skills: these roles often manage multiple projects, events, and initiatives simultaneously. Therefore, strong organizational and project management skills are crucial for planning, coordinating, and executing Community engagement activities effectively.
• Adaptability and flexibility: Communities are dynamic and constantly evolving, so these roles must be adaptable and flexible in their approach, able to adjust strategies and tactics based on changing needs and circumstances.
• Problem-solving skills: The ability to identify issues, analyse problems, and develop creative solutions is essential for addressing Community concerns and challenges effectively.

Education Required

• There's no strict educational requirement, a background in fields such as Community development, sociology, environment, social work, public administration, sustainability, CSR or related areas can provide valuable knowledge and skills for the role.

Why you’ll want to work for us

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow, a place where your ideas and opinions matter.

Be you: We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.

Be responsible: Our culture is driven by our core values – from operating safely to ensuring our projects are responsible. 

Be recognized: Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits.

Be inspired: Beyond your day-to-day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development. These include our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project, or volunteering on our VIBES committee to name a few.

Our core values: Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do. 

For further information on our career opportunities and life at Lightsource bp, please visit https://www.lightsourcebp.com/careers/