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, or 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 and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.
The application deadline for this position is March 14, 2021.
Program Overview
Adopted in 2015, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outline 17 interconnected goals with ambitious targets to address major global challenges including poverty, climate change, and equity by 2030. The world is currently off-track to meet many of these bold goals and achieving the systemic changes called for by the SDGs will require collaboration among governments, businesses, and civil society organizations. Released in October 2020, WRI’s report, A Time for Transformative Partnerships, examines how multistakeholder partnerships can more effectively drive these urgently needed changes.
Building on this report, WRI plans to release an issue brief in November 2021, timed with COP26, that will hone in on a key partnership challenge – long-term funding. Specifically, this research will examine innovative financing mechanisms that can help partnerships transition from philanthropic or grant funding to commercial investment. Financing is one of five priority areas for this year’s COP and cuts across all SDG areas, including energy, water, and land use. The objectives of this new publication are to: 1) help multistakeholder partnerships and financiers understand the partnership funding landscape 2) identify stakeholders of importance to partnership financing and develop a menu of financing instruments available to partnerships.
Internship Summary
As a Research Intern in WRI’s Center for Sustainable Business, you will work with the team to identify financing trends and tools as well as the critical actors within partnership financing. You will support primary and secondary research to identify barriers to partnership investment and how different financing instruments can be applied to different partnership models. Additionally, you will play a key role in coordinating the issue brief’s completion in advance of COP26.
Learning Outcomes
Your primary responsibilities will include:
- Conducting literature reviews and synthesizing research across multiple sources
- Contributing to written content for the working paper and associated presentations, blogs, and other content
- Assisting with the collection and organization of research from various sources
- Supporting project coordination and management
You will gain experience in the following areas
- Primary and secondary research
- System mapping
- Developing a written research product and peer review processes
- Project management
Internship Qualifications
- University Sponsored: You must be a current student in the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan.
- Strong interest in understanding in economic market drivers for SDG progress
- Experience conducting literature reviews and synthesizing information into a cohesive story
- Excellent written skills and ability to express complex concepts clearly and concisely
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Knowledge of or previous experience in finance is a plus!
General Internship Requirements
- Applicants must have personal health insurance coverage.
- U.S. work authorization is required for this opportunity. WRI does not sponsor interns for visas.
Compensation
- University Sponsored: Students will receive compensation from their university program.
Duration and Location
- This is a full-time summer internship with start date options of May 17, June 1, or June 16, 2021 based on the student’s availability and need for the project.
- 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
Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. The application deadline for this position is March 14, 2021.
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.
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