WRI Ecosystems Review Internship

Ecosystem Service Review

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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
Salary & Benefits:Salary is commensurate with experience, no benefits
Employment Period:Three to six months with possibility of extension. Both full-time & part-time applicants will be consideredContact:Send resume or CV and cover letter to:

John Finisdore
Associate
john.finisdore@wri.org
No phone calls please. Qualified applicants only. WRI only accepts applications for current job openings.