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.
WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities Overview
Traditional models of city development can lock us into congestion, sprawl, and inefficient resource use. However, compact, connected, and efficient growth can help ensure more competitive cities, and provide a better quality of life for citizens. WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities (WRI Cities) works to ensure cities drive economic opportunity while sustaining natural resources. We use technical expertise, cutting-edge research, and on-the-ground partnerships to design solutions that enable sustainable city growth.
Our analysis and tools allow cities to effectively manage their natural resources and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Working across our network, we develop and support the implementation of research-based solutions in sustainable mobility, urban development, as well as urban efficiency & climate that reduce pollution, improve health, and create safe, accessible public spaces for all people to thrive.
WRI Cities builds on WRI’s global and local experience in urban planning and mobility, and uses proven solutions and action-oriented tools to increase building and energy efficiency, manage water risk, encourage effective governance and make the fast-growing urban environment more resilient to new challenges. Aiming to influence 200 cities with unique research and tools, WRI Cities focuses on a deep cross-sector approach in selected megacities on two continents, and targeted assistance to additional 50 urban areas, bringing economic, environmental and social benefits to people in cities around the globe.
Urban Development Overview
In the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, the Urban Development team provides technical and policy support to help cities develop integrated planning approaches for land use, infrastructure systems, and economic geography that helps cities advance their social and economic objectives in the most resource-efficient way. We work with local and national governments, the private sector, and communities to help them jointly contribute to compact urban forms, resource-efficient infrastructure constellations, and equitable access to services – the spatial underpinnings for livable cities.
Internship Summary
The Sustainable Cities Impact Program Intern will contribute to the nascent Sustainable Cities Impact Program Global Platform (SCIP GP) [the new iteration of the Global Platform for Sustainable Cities] which brings together 24 cities from 9 countries [Argentina, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Rwanda and Sierra Leone] and a wide range of entities that are working on urban sustainability issues, to create a shared platform for global knowledge using an evidence-based, integrated approach to realize it. WRI manages the SCIP Global Platform, a project financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), working in partnership with ICLEI, C40, and UNEP.
Through the SCIP GP, the partners provide high-level capacity building to cities/projects in their efforts to undertake a strategic approach to sustainability and integrated planning. You will contribute to the Sustainable Cities Impact Program Global Platform through research and engagement on different kinds of solutions for urban sustainability: nature-based solutions, urban resilience, circular economy, climate action planning, energy efficiency, urban finance, integrated urban planning, gender mainstreaming, and managing urban growth in the Global South and by liaising with partners in international NGOs, think tanks, financial institutions and multilateral banks, and city and other government officials, assisting with event coordination, and general project management tasks to advance the SCIP GP.
This is a great opportunity to gain exposure to cutting edge topics on urban sustainability, liaise with key institutions, and learn how cities and other organizations are implementing various solutions to address climate change, inequality and resilience.
Learning Outcomes
The intern will gain experience in the following areas:
Research (50%)
- Contribute to urban development knowledge products—topics of research might include, but are not limited to, the following: nature-based solutions, urban resilience, circular economy, climate action planning, energy efficiency, urban finance, integrated urban planning, gender mainstreaming, and managing urban growth in the Global South
- Provide support on review, development, and/or editing of a broad range of presentations, concept notes, and reports
- Propose topics, draft, and co-author blogs
Project Management (50%)
- Provide day-to-day support such as liaising with international network of partners and city officials, setting up meetings, taking meeting notes and keeping the Sustainable Cities Impact Program on track and aware of important deadlines, events, and research
- Support tracking, reporting, and managing the SCIP monitoring and evaluation framework, across partners and other organizations participating in the program
- Provide support on the organization of virtual events and webinars, including logistical support and documentation of events
- Update project’s database for communications purposes
- Draft pieces for SCIP newsletter working in collaboration with Communications Lead and rest of the team
- Support day-to-day tasks as they arise
Internship Qualifications
- University Sponsored: You must be a student currently enrolled in the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland.
- Comfortable interning remotely
- Demonstrated background or interest in urban affairs or global environmental issues
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- Strong oral communications skills
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently as well as part of a team
- Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
- Ability to think creatively
- Highly responsible, self-motivated, and flexible
- Extremely well-organized and efficient
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 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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