United States: Intern, Gender & Social Equity, Governance Center, Johns Hopkins University

Apr 7, 2021 | World Resources Institute
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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.   

Gender and Social Equity Initiative Overview 

WRI’s Gender and Social Equity (GSE) Initiative works to ensure that WRI’s programs, activities and policies benefit all sections of the society equitably and contribute to advancing gender and social equality. Our work is a part of WRI’s broader mission to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. WRI has been implementing several projects to develop suitable approaches to addressing equity issues through its programming, as well as to identify opportunities to leverage WRI’s high quality research and tools to advance gender and social equity within and through the sectors in which it works. 

Internship Summary 

The GSE Initiative seeks an intern to provide support on research, analysis and communications to strengthen the integration of gender and social equity considerations across WRI’s work. Your will work on several projects within the GSE Initiative, including: 

  • Research and technical assistance: The GSE Initiative works across WRI’s technical teams to integrate gender and social equity considerations into their projects’ methodologies, proposals and concept development. You will support these activities by conducting literature reviews and gathering qualitative and quantitative information on relevant issues. Your tasks may also include conducting document reviews, compiling new articles and resources, writing and publishing short briefers, and assisting with their outreach. 
  • Communications: You will help the Initiative with internal and external communications, including drafting the monthly GSE Newsletter, coordinating any events, and tracking and analyzing the integration of gender and social equity themes within WRI’s knowledge products. 

You will be a key part of the GSE Initiative team, and will also have the opportunity to work closely with WRI’s technical programs – Food, Forest, Water, Oceans, Cities, Climate and Energy –collaborating with staff in the US and other international offices. The tasks will include providing ad-hoc support to various projects and events, but there will also be time outlined for you to focus on and accomplish a specific project depending on our mutual interests and needs.  

This position will be full time over the summer and based in WRI’s Washington, DC office or remotely, depending on the COVID-19 restrictions.  

Learning Outcomes 

  • Build knowledge on the linkages between social equity and environmental issues, particularly challenges and opportunities for strengthening the focus on equitable outcomes.  
  • Develop capacity in desk-based research methods and project development.  
  • Learn to communicate key research findings concisely to a target audience.  
  • Experience working in an environment that demands flexibility and efficient use of time. 

You will gain experience in the following areas:  

  •  Conducting literature reviews and desk research using tools such as EBSCO Host and Google scholar 
  • Synthesizing information to write high quality products; identifying case studies of best practices within and outside the institute 
  • Collaborating with other teams and international offices 
  • Contributing to the project development process; taking initiative to provide input on new development directions  
  • Analyzing information and literature to support integration of gender and social equity in technical projects 
  • Engaging in the communication and outreach processes to an external and internal audience 
  • Developing and implementing tracking frameworks, and analyzing data collected 
  • Supporting events and trainings  

Internship Qualifications 

  • University Sponsored: You must be a student currently enrolled in the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University returning for Fall 2021. 
  • Demonstrable interest in issues of gender, poverty and/or social equity, preferably in WRI’s core areas of work (Food, Forest, Water, Oceans, Cities, Climate and Energy) 
  • Excellent writing and research skills, with strong ability to express complex concepts clearly and concisely 
  • Strong written and oral communications skills 
  • Experience in conducting literature reviews and desk-based research 
  • Ability to work both independently as well as part of a team 
  • Detail oriented, flexible and efficient 
  • Highly responsible and self-motivated 

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.