Intern, Communications, Finance Center

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. 

Overview

The WRI Finance Center aims to shift financial flows away from dangerous activities that fuel climate change and towards solutions for an equitable, low-carbon, climate-resilient economy.

We produce data-driven, policy-actionable research and convene coalitions that can influence financial institutions and markets. We uphold the role of finance in international climate change negotiations by providing expert input to the Paris Agreement process, tracking developed countries’ provision of finance, and publishing recommendations for improving climate finance architecture.

We strengthen the capacity of governments to access climate finance by working directly with ministries in India, Fiji and Guatemala.

We promote sustainable private-sector finance — including in our own endowment — by researching cutting-edge topics like physical climate risks and providing tools for investors and others. And we work to green multilateral development finance institutions and China’s Belt and Road Initiative through direct engagement and research.

Internship Summary

The WRI Finance Center is seeking an intern to support our media relations, digital communications, webinars, presentations and other duties. The position requires someone with strong writing and oral communications skills. We are seeking someone who is creative, highly organized, and has a passion for communicating to various audiences about the pressing and complex issues related to climate change and sustainable finance.

In this internship, you will learn how to accentuate the impact of a 21^st-century research nonprofit with skills related to communications and engagement. Reporting to our Communications Manager, you will work with members of our Finance Center to share cutting-edge research into issues related to both public and private finance, with an opportunity to specialize in projects related to one or the other area. Using both earned and owned media, you will develop and share work that extends the reach of our research to key audiences including experts, decision-makers and the interested public.

Responsibilities

• Provide general communications support to the core communications team and programmatic areas, including writing, editing, media relations, webinars, presentations, and other tasks;
• Assist with media lists and research, including helping to organize and maintain the WRI Finance Center media database (Cision) and contact database (Salesforce/Pardot);
• Write and edit content for WRI.org’s website, social media, and articles;
• Build the case for climate action with key Finance Center audiences; and
• Provide administrative support to the team, including scheduling meetings, event logistics, note-taking, and other duties as needed.

Learning Outcomes

The intern will gain experience in the following areas:

• Supporting WRI Finance Center’s profile and thought leadership by assisting with production of web articles and content, messaging development, media relations and contact list creation and organization
• Developing and sharing digital content through WRI Finance Center’s social media, email marketing and other digital platforms
• Working with WRI experts to build and organize our content and web presence on new WRI.org site
• Translating
• Working with colleagues around the world, digesting diverse perspectives on the climate problem

We will work to find a project within our Center that fits your interests. The intern may gain experience in the following areas:

• Sustainable investing
• Sustainable development in Latin America, Africa, or Asia
• How the financial sector can be a driver of climate action

Internship Qualifications

• Comfortable interning remotely
• Interested in communications and media in a nonprofit research setting
• Skilled writer and communicator, able to present complex information in a clear and concise manner with attention to detail
• Creative thinker and proactive, motivated worker
• Organized and able to prioritize between multiple tasks
• Knowledge of climate, sustainable development, environment, business, finance and/or economics is helpful but not required
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Experience working with people from different cultures and/or international experience is also desirable. Chinese, French, and Spanish language skills a plus.

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, three-month (12 week) summer internship with flexible start and end dates (July to September) based on availability and need for 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

Please submit a resume and cover letter. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

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.