Sageboy

The World Resources Institute’s Climate and Energy Program seeks a highly motivated full-time intern for a period of 3-6 months to join its International Climate Initiative. The intern will provide research and administrative support for the implementation of a strategy to build, by 2015, an international enabling environment capable of generating collective climate action in line with the science. The overall strategy consists of three pillars to pry open a new window of opportunity to drive low carbon climate resilient development. The first pillar aims to align economic incentives with low carbon climate resilient development; the second pillar aims to strengthen rules within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) so that it is ready to be a point of reconvergence for increased ambition by 2015; the third pillar is designed to address the political aspects of the enabling environment with a specific focus on the multilateral processes that provide a venue for discussing interrelated geopolitical issues.

In particular, the intern will carry out activities under the second pillar to build rules within the UNFCCC, particularly with regard to: the measurement, reporting and verification of country actions (MRV); increasing the ambition of developed and developing country pledges in an equitable manner; and the establishment of a legal framework under the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action to formalize and coordinate country commitments. This work is the centre piece of our International Climate Initiative and consequently offers great exposure to WRI’s experts and the key issues in international climate diplomacy in the aftermath of COP 17. The successful candidate will also contribute to the work of the broader team across the three pillars of the strategy as needed.

The successful candidate will be self motivated and hard working with excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills. A good understanding of the technical and political issues at play in the UNFCCC negotiations, in particular around ambition, legal form and equity is a strong advantage.

Major responsibilities

• Provide research assistance to the International Climate Policy team, including by analyzing COP decisions, proposals, positions and scholarship from developed and developing country experts on issues of MRV, ambition, equity and legal form.
• Contribute to the WRI team’s efforts to refine our international climate strategy in the aftermath of the Durban climate conference to successfully inform COP18 / MOP8 and the development of a new agreement by 2015.
• Draft and edit working papers, fact sheets, journal articles, blogs and presentations on issues relevant to WRI’s strategy.
• Support outreach and communication efforts for the project, including by liaising with key partners within governments, international institutions and NGOs.
• Support WRI’s preparations for the June meetings of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as well as one technical workshop with government and civil society experts
• Provide administrative support as needed, including by scheduling meetings with partners, supporting WRI’s fund-raising efforts, preparing internal strategy memos, taking notes at internal and external meetings, and cataloguing relevant literature for easy access by the team.
• If time allows, attend relevant events in Washington as needed e.g. Hill briefings and lectures.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in environmental policy, international relations, law, public policy or related field.
• Excellent academic record
• Strong analytical and research skills and proven ability to deliver high-quality work
• Outstanding writing and editing skills and demonstrated mastery of oral and written English are a must

·       Strong understanding of global environmental policy. Specific knowledge of climate diplomacy and multilateral environmental agreements in particular is a plus

• Expertise in the UNFCCC negotiations to date, particularly on the issues of MRV, ambition, equity and legal form preferred
• Great attention to detail
• Ability to work well in a team, manage multiple priorities, take initiative, exercise good judgment in dealing with project partners, and deliver under tight deadlines
• Understanding of Microsoft Office suite, internet applications, social media, blogs, etc.

Compensation: Competitive internship hourly wage commensurate with qualifications.

Employment Period: Full-time for 3-6 months depending on performance and funding

Location: Washington, D.C. – candidates must be holders of a valid work permit

Closing date for applications: Rolling review of applications with a view to hiring the successful candidate in early February

All applications must include a resume and a cover letter and must be submitted online at www.wri.org/jobs

World Resources Institute is 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, parental status, or disability.

About WRI

The World Resources Institute (WRI) is an environmental think tank that goes beyond research to find practical ways to protect the planet and improve people’s lives.  WRI focuses its work on four basic goals:

• People & Ecosystems.  Reverse rapid degradation of ecosystems and assure their capacity to provide humans with needed goods and services.

• Climate, Energy & Transport.  Protect the global climate system from further harm and help humanity adapt to a changing climate.
• Markets & Enterprise.  Harness markets and enterprise to expand economic opportunity while safeguarding the environment.
• Governance.  Empower people and support institutions to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable decision-making.