Buildings and Construction Research Intern

About the program:

Through its network of global and local experts, the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities supports city- and national-level change for people and the planet, focusing on integrated solutions to new and long-standing urban challenges, primarily in the Global South. The WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities’ Built Environment Program is committed to accelerating decarbonization and resilience of buildings, places, and connecting infrastructure. We work in partnership towards regenerative built environment, cleaner air and more efficient urban development.

Internship Highlight:

Reporting to WRI’s Global Lead for Built Environment, you will support the program’s research plan addressing whole life cycle decarbonization of the building and construction sector across WRI’s international city engagements. You will conduct research on policy tools and best practices to assist national and local governments to develop ambitious, inclusive, net zero carbon and resilient buildings sector roadmaps, actions plans, policies and projects; contribute to project management and the process of development of critical knowledge products; and help shape the global narrative on the role and contribution of the built environment to the Paris Agreement and SDGs. You will also support the team in researching funding opportunities at the intersection of built environment, energy efficiency and urban development.

Your internship supervisor will be the Global Lead for Built Environment based in London, UK and will you work closely with the wider team led by the Director for Urban Efficiency and Climate based in the Netherlands.

What you will do:

• Research and coordinate knowledge products and project reports (50%)
• Conduct research feeding into new concept notes, and engage with external partners especially within Europe to scale and expand the program’s impact (30%)
• Provide day-to-day support to BE program team to schedule team meetings, draft concept notes and agendas and prepare meeting memos as appropriate (10%)
• Support project management and maintain various project trackers (e.g. Slack, MS Teams, Asana) (10%).

What you will need:

• Currently pursuing a degree in construction, engineering, economics, public policy, urban development, or related fields (graduate program preferred)
• Interns at WRI Europe must be registered in a study program with a Dutch college or university for the full duration of the internship
• Interns must have established approval from their University to undertake an internship before applying
• Demonstrated passion for buildings and construction sector decarbonization
• Strong research and project management skills
• Ability to manage multiple parallel tasks
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in verbal and written English.

Conditions of the internship:

• This is a 6 month internship with a start date of March 10 2025
• This internship will be based at the WRI Europe office in the Hague with some flexibility to work from home
• This internship offers a reimbursement of 700 euros per month based on full-time working hours (32 hours per week).

How to apply:

Please submit a resume and cover letter by 12 January 2025. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. You are encouraged to link to any relevant blogs, projects or other pieces of work that demonstrate your suitability for the internship.

About Us:

Founded in 1982, 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 seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.  
 

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is 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.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect.

Our culture:

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. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

Our team carefully reviews all applications.