WRI, Environment and International Financial Flows

Outreach Intern, International Financial Flows and the Environment

Many more WRI internships at http://www.wri.org/jobs

We are looking for a highly motivated and independent person to support the outreach for an upcoming publication on community engagement in extractive industries projects.

The “community engagement” process allows a company to build and maintain constructive relationships with local communities impacted over the life of a project. While this concept may be familiar, its application is neither widespread nor consistent. Many national laws and financial institutions’ policies require energy and extractive project sponsors to implement some type of community engagement strategy, but do not necessarily provide guidance on how to do so. Furthermore, local communities often do not have a sense of how the community engagement process should work, or how they should discuss it with companies. This is especially relevant to indigenous peoples in developing regions.

IFFE’s upcoming report proposes a series of principles for community engagement in energy and extractive projects. The purpose of these principles is: (1) to provide a framework for identifying solutions to core community engagement challenges, in order to initiate data collection of sponsors’ and governments’ best practices; and (2) to serve as a resource for citizen organizations supporting communities, in order to empower local communities to provide more meaningful input into project design and implementation.

Responsibilities
Intern will expected to assist on the following planned outreach activities for the report, to be launched in late January:

• Launch event to include expert panel: Support logistics, planning, implementation and follow-up.

• Research on target audiences within development banks, private banks, international and local NGOs, NGO networks, consultants, industry associations. Identify key individuals and compile contact information.

• Disseminate report and resources. Develop online resources and materials tailored to target audience needs.

• Outreach event support for events in Asia and Latin America: Support logistics, planning, implementation and follow-up.

• Preparation of outreach materials: Talking points, presentations, fliers and handouts.

• Research on sponsor and government best practice on community engagement.

Qualifications
Applicants should be a graduate student or recent graduate. Successful applicants will have a demonstrated interest in international development issues and developing countries. Qualifications include:

• Excellent writing and editing skills.

• Excellent communications skills, i.e. good with people.

• Superior care and concern for detail.

• Knowledge of international geography and environmental issues.

• Language skills (Spanish) preferred.

• Regional experience in Asia or Latin America preferred.

Salary & Benefits:Unpaid part time internship, 15-20 hours per week. Pending approval of funding proposals, potential for paid part-time internship.
Employment Period:December 2008 – March 2009 Location:Washington, DCContact:Send resume or CV and cover letter to:

Emily Chessin
Program Coordinator II
echessin@wri.org
No phone calls please. Qualified applicants only. WRI only accepts applications for current job openings.