The World Resources Institute seeks a capable student with excellent analytical and problem solving skills for a full time ‘forests and climate’ internship position. The successful candidate will provide research support to a new WRI project supporting comprehensive monitoring of emissions from land cover change in several tropical forested countries.
In recognition of the magnitude of emissions from forests, many countries are developing policies aimed at reducing these emissions while simultaneously achieving development goals and protecting important ecosystem services. A key priority for many countries in achieving these policy goals is to develop monitoring systems that will accurately track and account for emissions from land cover change. These systems should support identification of nationally appropriate mitigation strategies to address country-specific pressures on forest resources, and track the impact of these mitigation strategies over time.
WRI is working in several countries to assess data availability and institutional capacity for implementation of comprehensive monitoring systems for greenhouse gas emissions from land cover change. By identifying key gaps in current systems and recommending priorities for system development this project will support improved land-use policy making and forest management.
Responsibilities:
The intern will work closely with the project team on research activities including:
- Reviewing and summarizing specific technical literature related to ‘best practice’ guidance for monitoring emissions from land cover change
- Systematizing quantitative and qualitative information on existing land cover change emissions monitoring systems in target countries
- Communicating with in-country partners to identify key institutions in target countries responsible for greenhouse gas inventories, forest monitoring, and land-use decision making
- Assessing target countries’ data availability and technical and institutional capacity to monitor emissions from land cover change and track the impacts of policies aimed to reduce those emissions.
- Working with in-country partners to draft reports of best practice case studies, and existing technological and institutional capacity gaps
Qualifications:
Education, experience and technical skills
Undergraduate degree in environmental science, forestry, or a related field
Good quantitative and analytical skills
Excellent research and communication abilities,
Background in greenhouse gas inventories, forest inventories, and/or geospatial data analysis
Experience working in developing countries a plus
Fluency in English; fluency in other languages appreciated
Personal attributes and competencies
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Capacity to take initiative and work independently
Competency in personal organization, priority setting and managing multiple tasks
Ability to work in a team and contribute constructively to project activities
