Intern, Research & Communications, Cities4Forests, Brown 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.   

Cities4Forests Overview 

Cities4Forests is a cross-programmatic effort – including WRI’s Water, Forests, and Cities programs – that aims to catalyze political, social, and economic support among city governments and urban citizens to integrate inner, nearby, and faraway forests into city development plans and programs. Participants share an aspiration to help reduce deforestation, restore forests and trees, and manage forests more sustainably. Cities4Forests’ goal is to amplify current best practices and extend the deliberate city-forest relationship to the global scale on which cities and forests interact. It is a voluntary coalition involving mayors’ offices— and supported by other subnational agencies such as public water utilities and offices of sustainability—from around the world. Cities4Forests encourages peer-to-peer inspiration and learning, and members receive technical support from institutions with expertise in forests, climate change, water, communications, finance, and policy. 

Internship Summary 

The Cities4Forests project seeks a Research and Communications Research Intern to support high impact research on the role of nature-based solutions for cities and urban residents and to communicate our research and projects to our intended audiences. You will work closely with WRI’s experts in the Water, Forests and Cities programs to conduct desktop-based research on the emerging field of nature-based solutions and then steward communications with cities and partners in the network thereby supporting implementation of the Cities4Forests project in its 65 member cities. This internship will specifically focus on supporting the delivery of two top outcomes: 1) learning about and supporting ad-hoc technical research about the role that trees and forests play for cities and people and the benefits they provide, and 2) building our communications presence and expertise to engage with city residents on why trees and forests are important for their livelihoods.  

You will support the roll-out and implementation of the Cities4Forests project in our 65 member cities, with considerable opportunities for high-, impactful and exciting exposure to this world class initiative. This internship will provide you with the opportunity to personally engage with other leading international development organizations, city agency officials, conservation organizations, and other key stakeholders and decision makers in the fields of environmental governance and natural resource management. See the Learning Outcomes (below) for details on specific projects.   

Learning Outcomes 

• Build knowledge on the growing nature-based strategies field, particularly policy and technical challenges, and opportunities for scaling this type of work. 
• Develop capacity in scoping research methods and project strategy development. 
• Learn to communicate top-line research messages to a target audience to create action. 
• Develop capacity in building and managing international partnerships with multi-sector stakeholders and other high-level officials. 

The intern will gain experience in the following areas:  

Developing research skills and exposure, and applying findings to Cities4Forests strategic planning and decision-making [50%] 

• Contribute to the emerging Cities4Forests research agenda on sharing the latest scientific findings regarding cities and forests, strategic opportunities for cities to better manage trees and forests for the benefit of their residents, particular case studies and insights, and latest developments (policy and financial) in city investments in trees and forests.  
• Contribute to user-engagement around the database of tools and programs, including through interviews with city officials, trainings, and other methods with city officials. 

Developing communications skills, and applying them to support project planning, relationship building, and to build a solid foundation for Cities4Forests city engagement [40%] 

• Support content creation for public engagement plans, to focus on the importance of trees and forests to cities and what cities and residents can do to advance forest conservation, restoration, and sustainable management. 
• Support with the drafting of opinion pieces, blogs or a blog series, PowerPoint presentations and briefings for city engagement, and interact confidently with city officials.  
• Support engagement and implementation efforts by joining regular city check-ins, strategy development calls, and specific project planning, outreach and delivery. 

Learning about, understanding and supporting other Cities4Forests efforts [10%]  

• Meet weekly with Cities4Forests core team, including our partner organizations and our international colleagues. 

• Ad-hoc support for event planning and execution, data collection and processing, and project development, as necessary. 
• There will be time and space outlined for you to focus on and accomplish a relevant project of your own desire. 

Internship Qualifications 

• University-sponsored: You must be a current Brown University student enrolled in the Washington Summer Fellowship. 
• Enrolled in a degree program in environmental science/management, public policy, international development, urban development, communications, or similar. 

• Experience or interest in understanding how nature-based strategies can help with environmental management, water resource management and other sustainable development challenges.  
• A successful candidate will demonstrate excellent qualitative research and writing skills. 
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and demonstrated strong work ethic. 
• Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner. 
• Ability to think creatively, and a good sense of humor. 

• Flexible, able to adapt quickly, and ready to seize opportunities. 
• Highly responsible and self-motivated. 
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office and internet research. 
• Comfortable working remotely, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

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.