Intern, Corporate Water Stewardship, Water Program, Yale University

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.   

Water Program Overview 

You will join our Aqueduct project, that uses the most up-to-date data to produce global water risk maps, allowing stakeholders to assess current and future challenges. We conduct economic and other analyses to identify the most cost-effective strategies to reduce water pollution. And we identify solutions—such as restoring ecosystem services—to alleviate stresses on the world’s water supplies.  WRI works with businesses, governments, and civil society to ensure a water-secure future. We seek to address both water quantity and quality challenges. 

Internship Summary 

You will provide research, analysis, and communications support to the Aqueduct team, with a particular emphasis on WRI’s work with the private sector. You will assist on our engagement with the private sector on topics related to water risk, water quality, and stewardship, including development of thought-leading research, such as  “Achieving Abundance: Understanding the Cost of a Sustainable Water Future”, to advance collective water sustainability goals working with the private sector, governments, and civil society. You will support corporate water stewardship activities by leveraging data and research from WRI and will help us to build the case for increased private sector engagement in sustainable water resources management. 

The application deadline for this position is Friday, March 12, 2021.

Learning Outcomes 

The intern will gain experience in the following areas:  

• You will gain a deep understanding of corporate water stewardship. 
• You will gain qualitative and quantitative analysis skills related to corporate water risk, impacts, management, reporting, target setting, stewardship and valuation, for companies, sectors, industries, or countries. 
• You will gain research skills to identify and describe novel solutions for water challenges. 
• You will gain both verbal and written communication skills by developing of presentations, blogs, webinars, and events.  

Internship Qualifications 

• University Sponsored: You must be a graduate student currently enrolled in the Yale School of Environment returning for Fall of 2021. 
• Demonstrated interest in water and corporate stewardship 
• Excellent research skills and experience in conducting literature reviews and desk-based research  
• Excellent quantitative analysis skills in excel and python 
• Experience using QGIS, ArcGIS, Google Earth Engine or geospatial libraries in python is preferred  
• Strong written and oral communications skills  
• Ability to work both independently as well as part of a team  
• Detail oriented, flexible and efficient  
• Highly responsible and self-motivated  

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 Friday, March 12, 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.