Intern, Alliance & Partnerships, New Urban Mobility Alliance, UCLA

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.   

New Urban Mobility Alliance Overview 

Technology is changing everything about how we get around in cities. New tech-based mobility disruptions from electric scooters to ride-hailing apps to autonomous vehicles are part of the transportation revolution. These changes will affect the future of cities and the people living and working in them as well as have implications for the environment, jobs, public spending, governance, health, privacy, safety and more. Whether they move us toward or away from a better future will depend on how we act, how we collaborate and how we challenge the status quo to achieve the best outcomes for all. 

Launched in January 2019, NUMO is an outgrowth of the Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities. Our mission is to leverage the momentum of significant revolutions in mobility to target urban issues — including equity, sustainability, accessibility and labor. NUMO aligns the actions, investments and values of a growing community of allies to achieve transformational, on-the-ground changes in mobility. 

NUMO is an alliance organization of cities, NGOs, companies, mobility service operators, community advocates from diverse sectors and more from around the globe. We see this moment as an unprecedented opportunity to shape a shift in transportation by aligning shared priorities and turning the values of the Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities into deliberate, impactful action. 

NUMO is hosted by WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. 

Internship Summary 

This internship will support the Alliance & Partnerships team in engaging with NUMO’s 150+ allies and partners to align shared priorities and action to make cities more sustainable, just, and joyful. Project work will be based upon the intern’s interests and could include supporting research efforts on how cities are responding to mobility challenges during COVID-19, exploring new methods of engagement with allies using new technologies and social media, helping NUMO to mechanize the alliance and develop metrics for tracking  engagement, and supporting behavioral science pilots targeting switching short car trips to active modes of travel.   

Learning Outcomes 

The intern will gain experience in the following areas:  

• Engagement with a variety of stakeholders in the new mobility ecosystem, including mobility operators, cities, advocacy organizations, and researchers. 
• Understanding the new mobility ecosystem and how addressing mobility challenges is critical to solving the concurrent COVID-19, economic, racial justice, and climate crises. 
• Support knowledge-sharing and engagement activities such as webinars hosted by NUMO and quarterly allies calls.  
• Create social media content to drive continued engagement with the work of the NUMO alliance  

Internship Qualifications 

• University-sponsored: You must be a current graduate student in the Luskin School of Public Affairs at UCLA. 
• Comfortable interning remotely  
• Excellent research and writing skills 
• Strong computer skills including high level of comfort with Google Suite 
• Strong attention to detail 
• Flexible, self-motivated, ability to think creatively 
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team 

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 part-time or 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 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.