The World Resources Institute (WRI) seeks a results-oriented college graduate with excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills for a full-time or part-time internship position.  The intern will provide research support for WRI’s Ecosystem Service Review Team in their efforts to mainstream ecosystem service-based strategies in the private sector (www.wri.org/ecosystems/esr).

A key conclusion of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) was that the earth’s wetlands, forests, coral reef and other ecosystems have been degraded.  And, left unchecked, they will become worse over the next 50 years.  Because businesses both depend on and impact “ecosystem services” these areas provide-forests provide timber, freshwater, natural hazard regulation and a host of other services-this degradation has direct relevance to corporate performance.  However, most companies fail to make the connection between healthy ecosystems and their bottom lines.

The ESR is a systematic methodology that helps managers develop strategies to manage their risks and opportunities arising their company’s dependencies and impacts on ecosystems.  Since its launch is March, 2008, the Review has been used by over 30 Fortune 500-caliber companies.  Over the next 18 months, the ESR Intern will assist the ESR Team:

• Promote the methodology globally
• Conduct Reviews in Central and South America
• Conduct Reviews in the utility industry
• Conduct Reviews in the agriculture sector
• Develop guidelines for integrating the ESR with environmental management systems
• Train environmental consultants on the methodology
• Develop new improved methodologies, systems, and guidelines
• Write papers on the utility and application of the ESR

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and write summaries about markets, corporate strategies, and public policies that address ecosystem service degradation
• Research and draft case studies on how corporations integrate ecosystem services considerations into business strategy and operations
• Build and maintain database tracking ecosystem service-based corporate strategies and markets
• Assist in media outreach including preparation of briefs, documents, brochures, web pages, presentations, articles, general project inquiries, etc.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in economics, engineering, business administration, or environmental science
• Excellent academic performance and writing skills
• Demonstrated research and communication skills
• Demonstrated proficiency of oral and written English
• Highly motivated self-starter with strong organizational skills
• Solid interpersonal skills
• Ability to work well in a team, juggle multiple priorities and work under tight deadlines
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office and internet research

Desired Qualifications

• On-line publishing and web management skills
• Familiarity or working experience with the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
• Familiarity or work experience with corporate sustainability
• Familiarity or work experience with poverty and the environment
• Proficiency in Portuguese, Spanish or Chinese
• Overseas working experience
• Computer skills in GIS, wiki platforms, and contact relationship management