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Description
The World Resources Institute is an environmental think tank that goes beyond research to create practical ways to protect the earth and improve people's lives.
Position Overview:
The World Resources Institute (WRI) seeks a results-oriented college graduate with strong research track for a full-time position. The ESR Research Assistant will provide organizational, analytical, writing, communication, and 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 the "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 Research Assistant 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
- Train environmental consultants on the methodology
- Develop guidelines for integrating the ESR with environmental management systems
- 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
- Provide administrative support to budgeting, grants and proposals, internal and external reporting, staff travel, equipment and office management, conferences, scheduling, and other items
- 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, markets and related information
- Assist in media outreach including preparation of briefs, documents, brochures, web pages, presentations, articles, general project inquiries, etc. Maintain online and hard files
- Conduct weekly updates on current events related to ecosystem services in the private sector
- Serve is liaison between ESR Team and other WRI projects and programs as needed
- Provide oversight to ESR interns as needed
Qualifications:
- Undergraduate degree in economics, engineering, business administration, or environmental science with excellent performance
- Demonstrated online, library, and primary research skills
- Demonstrated research, writing, editing, communication, administrative, and coordination skills
- Demonstrated proficiency of oral and written English
- Ability to work well in a team, juggle multiple priorities and work under tight deadlines
- Excellent skills in Microsoft Office and internet research
Desired Skills:
- Graduate degree in business administration, economics, environmental science or related field with excellent performance
- Experience in a project or program setting
- 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
Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience. WRI offers a comprehensive benefits package.
Employment Period: 3 to 6 months with possibility of extension
To Apply:
Please send resume or CV and cover letter to John Finisdore Business & Ecosystems Researcher. In the email sbject line, please reference ESR Research Asst.
No phone calls please. Qualified applicants only. WRI only accepts applications for current job openings.
WRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our 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 preference, parental status, or disability.