Water Program Overview:
WRI’s Water Program works with businesses, governments, and civil society to ensure a water-secure future – addressing both water quantity and quality challenges. We do this through several projects and initiatives around the world. We conduct economic and other analyses to identify water-related challenges globally and, we identify solutions—such as restoring ecosystem services—to alleviate stresses on the world’s water supplies.
Internship Summary:
Reporting to the Corporate Water Stewardship Associate, you will provide research, engagement, and communications support to the Aqueduct team, with a particular emphasis on WRI’s work with the private sector. You will assist in coordinating our engagement with the private sector on topics related to water risk, disclosure, strategies, and stewardship. In addition, you will contribute to the development of thought-leading research to advance collective water sustainability goals across the private sector. Specifically, this will include responding to Aqueduct tool user questions, research related to science-based targets for water, and supporting private sector advisory services.
Learning Outcomes:
The intern will gain experience in the following areas:
Research (60%)
- Support qualitative and quantitative analysis and research related to corporate water risk, impacts, management, reporting, target setting, stewardship and valuation, for companies, sectors, industries, or countries
- Research private sector market trends to inform Aqueduct project activities and corporate engagement strategy – Work closely with companies to support work related to the development of science-based targets across the enterprise’s supply chain
- Identify and compile datasets, tools, and other resources for companies interested in setting water targets across their value chains
- Support the research, development and pilot testing, and publication of methodologies, standards, and protocols relevant to water resources management in the private sector Aqueduct Tool User
Engagement and Testing (40%)
- Support the administrative needs and requests of Aqueduct Alliance members and other WRI corporate partners
- Support and respond to private sector Aqueduct users related to the Aqueduct suite of tools (Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas, Aqueduct County Ranking, Aqueduct Food, Aqueduct Flood)
- Respond to non-corporate Aqueduct tool users’ inquiries (e.g., questions related to data use and methodology)
- Support the rollout of new tool functionalities by testing the new features and documenting bugs – Communicate with members of the Water Program’s data team to catalog and respond to bug issues
Internship Qualifications:
- Pursuing or completed a bachelors or master’s degree (preferred) in business, environmental science, earth systems, engineering, or related
- Corporate sustainability or sustainable investment experience preferred, particularly familiarity of Corporate Water Stewardship initiatives
- Excellent qualitative and/or quantitative research and writing skills
- Innovative, entrepreneurial, and creative thinking
- Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office, Excel data analysis, and internet research
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with teams of individuals and colleagues
- Demonstrated ability to work proactively in fulfilling responsibilities to support the team
- Comfortable interning remotely
General Internship Requirements:
- Applicants must have personal health insurance coverage.
- US work authorization is required for this opportunity. WRI does not sponsor interns for visas.
Compensation:
The pay range for this internship opportunity is between $15-18/hour, commensurate with qualifications.
Duration and Location:
This is a full-time, six-month (24 week) internship with flexible start and end dates (June to November). This is a remote-based internship with the option to work out of the Washington D.C. office once it reopens. WRI will provide a laptop for the duration of your internship.
How to Apply?
Please submit a resume and cover letter. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.
WRI Overview:
World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. We are working to address critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean.
Internships at WRI are learning experiences designed for current students, recent graduates, and other candidates who wish to gain knowledge about a specific area of our work. We strive to attract diverse, intellectually driven candidates who have a passion for sustainability and development. WRI provides many internship opportunities throughout the year in all our programs.
WRI is committed to advancing gender, racial, and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.
The World Resources Institute (http://www.wri.org) is an environmental and development research and policy organization that creates solutions to protect the Earth and improve people’s lives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is WRI’s policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI’s global agenda requires a staff that is diverse – with respect to race, gender, cultural, and international background. Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way WRI selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and applicability of WRI’s policy research and analysis. WRI, therefore, encourages applications from U.S. minorities, persons from other countries (especially developing nations), and from women of all backgrounds.
World Resources Institute.