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Ceres' Summer 2018 Internships

Ceres

Ceres' Summer 2018 Internships

Upton, MA +72 locations
Internship
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Summer Internship 2018

    Organization

    Ceres is a sustainability nonprofit organization working with the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy. Through our powerful networks and advocacy, we tackle the world's biggest sustainability challenges, including climate change, water scarcity and pollution, and human rights abuses.

    For more information about Ceres, please visit our web site (www.ceres.org).

    We are seeking dynamic, committed interns who would find it exciting to join the Ceres team!

    General Internship Information

    Ceres' interns support Program, Communications, and Development staff working with a wide variety of constituents within the Ceres network: environmental activists, investors, funders, and corporations. While providing some administrative support, interns will primarily work in one of the following areas using skills in research, project coordination, IT and communications. Detailed descriptions of each available position can be found below.

    Each February, Ceres advertises for our summer program. During March we conduct interviews and make placements. Our Summer Intern Program is held during the months of June, July, half of August, and runs for a 10-week period. The work hours are Monday through Friday, from 9am to 5pm. We pay a stipend of $5000 for the ten weeks and provide a pass on the MBTA systems for June, July and August. We typically hire 8-10 interns, who are a mix of undergraduate and graduate students. This year, the program will begin on Monday, June 4, and run through Friday, August 10. In addition, interns need to be available for a lunch orientation one week prior to start date, to take place in our Boston office the week of May 28th. Please read details of each position on our website and apply for the specific internship you are interested in. We typically hire 8-10 interns, who are a mix of undergraduate and graduate students. Please note: Only the Program Teams listed on the website are seeking an intern for Spring 2018. If any of these internships listed below are not currently on our website, we are no longer accepting applications for that position.

    INSURANCE INTERN Insurers are in the business of helping society to understand and reduce risk. Today, the world faces a formidable threat-climate change. Ceres Insurance Initiative, part of our Climate and Energy Team, seeks to mobilize insurance companies and industry regulators around proactive steps the industry can take to reduce the risks and increase society's resiliency. For the fall of 2017, Ceres' Insurance Team is looking for an intern to provide support in the following areas:

    • Contribute to leading-edge research and engagement with the insurance industry on a project to identify barriers to scaling up insurers' investments in clean energy and other sustainable infrastructure and make recommendations on solutions
    • Contribute to various projects to drive uptake of the Financial Stability Board's Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) Recommendations within the insurance sector, through both thought leadership as well as stakeholder engagement strategies
    • Support production of materials for high-level meetings and workshops, e.g. proof reading, mocking up graphics, and drafting text
    • Assist in organizing internal/external meetings and workshops
    • Provide research support and data analysis for ad hoc projects on key topics

    ELECTRIC POWER INTERN The Electric Power Team at Ceres seeks to encourage electric utilities and large corporate energy consumers to adopt modern 21st century sustainable practices and technologies. Specifically, we will urge companies to increase their renewable electric generation, improve their energy efficiency, and reduce their reliance on carbon-based electric generation. The Electric Power Team is seeking an intern for the Summer 2018 period to assist the team in providing research and fact-checking to help develop and prioritize our targets for corporate engagement.

    The intern will also assist with the development of materials to support corporate engagement on renewable energy and energy efficiency including presentations, fact sheets and other advocacy materials. These materials will help us make the business case to companies for adoption of renewables and efficiency as well as the case to investors on the importance of engaging with companies on these issues. We are seeking an undergraduate or graduate student with interest, experience, knowledge and desire to work in the clean energy field and who has excellent communications, research, writing, Excel and database skills.

    CAPITAL MARKET SYSTEMS INTERN Ceres' Capital Markets Systems program works with companies, investors, regulators, policymakers and other stakeholders on levers that will facilitate improved integration of material sustainability factors into decision-making. This includes Ceres' work on enhancing sustainability disclosures (covering our engagements in this regard with stock exchanges, financial regulators, standard setters and others) and integrating sustainability into corporate governance systems (covering our work with corporate boards). The Capital Market Systems program is seeking a graduate student researcher to help support key projects on how companies and investors are integrating sustainability into their governance and disclosure practices. While providing some administrative support, this research intern will primarily work in the following areas using skills ranging from research, quantitative analysis and writing (short memos, case studies, etc.) on:

    • Analyze current corporate practice in linking executive compensation to ESG factors, including drafting memos overviewing best practices and summary of literature review on the subject;
    • Compile literature review of board risk oversight and ESG factors, overviewing best practices and current trends;
    • Research results of governance trends of ESG integration within priority companies and assist in developing recommendations to advance progress using the Ceres Roadmap;
    • Track investor engagement/ focus on corporate boards, ESG reporting, and linkage of executive compensation to ESG, compiling results from annual shareholder meetings, reviewing current engagement trends, and drafting memos;
    • Support communications efforts with the launch of ESG disclosure reports, including assisting with webinars, outreach to interested parties; and
    • Other projects on disclosure and governance as needed for the Capital Market Systems team.

    CARBON ASSET RISK INTERN Ceres' Carbon Asset Risk initiative works with investors to help prevent unmanageable climate change by pressuring fossil fuel companies to invest significantly less capital in projects like thermal coal, oil sands and Arctic drilling. Working with members of the oil & gas and electric power teams, this intern will help advance our work by conducting research on company and investor actions and industry trends, drafting educational materials (both quantitative and qualitative), and providing some administrative support. The ideal candidate will be interested in climate and energy topics and have a focus in one or more of the following areas: financial markets/research, corporate planning, risk management, and/or communications. Relevant experience may also qualify. We are looking for candidates with solid research skills, an ability to work independently, and some familiarity with how climate issues apply to businesses and investors. Graduate students preferred, but all will be considered.

    TRANSPORTATION INTERN This intern will work with both the Director of Transportation and the Senior Manager of Clean Vehicles at Ceres.

    A clean and efficient transportation system is critical to a strong economy; its benefits include saving consumers and businesses money as well as reducing our dependence on oil. Transportation is also a significant contributor to carbon emissions. In fact, in 2016, the transportation sector surpassed the electric power sector as the largest emitter of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States, accounting for 28% of GHG emissions - more emissions than any other nation's entire economy, with the exception of China.

    To adequately reduce emissions associated with the transportation sector, we need to focus on three components: vehicles, fuels and infrastructure. In the next year, Ceres' Transportation Program's primary focus will be on promoting clean fuels, vehicles and relevant policies, and increasing corporate uptake and deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging stations. Summer 2018 projects will include advocating for Low Carbon Fuel Standards, supporting passenger vehicles and truck fuel economy standards, and promoting advanced technology vehicles. In addition, this position will assist in preparing materials for and engaging companies on the business case for EVs with the goal of securing large-scale corporate electrification commitments. This intern will be asked to perform research on various transportation issues, draft educational materials and perform some administrative tasks. Link to Ceres' transportation project: http://www.ceres.org/industry-initiatives/transportation. Graduate students preferred, but all will be considered.

    WATER INTERN Ceres is working with companies, investors, water providers, policymakers, environmental organizations and other stakeholders to improve water management and increase reporting on water issues that pose risks to businesses, communities and the environment.

    The Water Team is seeking a graduate student this summer to help us advance our work on analyzing and addressing water risks related to three pillars: the food and beverage sector, water utility sector and the investment community. While providing some administrative support, this research assistant will primarily work across various topic areas using skills ranging in research, quantitative analysis and writing (short memos, case studies, data narratives etc.). Program areas of work include:

    • Providing support to the Agriculture and Water Risk initiative, with a focus on the ongoing rollout of Feeding Ourselves Thirsty and the AgWater Challenge. This includes conducting research and analysis on food companies, supporting the team with tracking news flow and pulling examples of risk, building out power points for external presentations, and doing company/investor research on the Bloomberg terminal.
    • Supporting the urban water initiative on strategy and best-practices research to make the business case for utilities to invest in and adopt sustainable water projects (e.g. water conservation and reuse, implementation of distributed infrastructure). Specific areas of research support will involve: o Identifying trends in innovative funding and financing instruments that support sustainable water solutions. o Uncovering key performance indicators to highlight how utilities are measuring and reporting on sustainability practices.
    • Assisting in the rollout of the Investor Water Hub Toolkit, a water-risk integration tool for the mainstream global investment community, which builds off the research of Ceres' Investor Water Handbook. Topics covered in the Toolkit include systemic risks and materiality of water, investment beliefs and policies, asset class allocation and water-related shareholder engagements. Specific areas of research support will involve: o Developing key performance indicators and a tracking system for the Hub and broader investor water work. o Crafting key lessons learned from carbon and climate that could be applied to water footprinting efforts. o Establishing a way for investor members to track water solutions investment products via the network portal. o Finalizing two investor case studies for the Toolkit.
    • Other general water-related research to support the team, such as a SWOT or landscape analysis to understand peer organizations in the field. For more information, see Ceres' Water Program: https://www.ceres.org/issues/water

    DEVELOPMENT INTERN The Development Intern will work closely with many members of Ceres' small and active development team. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly organized and motivated individual to gain hands-on experience and specific training in many aspects of nonprofit development, including foundations, major gifts, annual fundraising programs and special events. Projects will include researching foundation and individual supporters, assisting with management of the organization's donor databases, and tracking and evaluating fundraising efforts. Skills should include strong research and spreadsheet experience. The ideal candidate will be a recent graduate or current student with strong interest in pursuing a career in the nonprofit development field.

    FEDERAL POLICY & PARTNERSHIPS INTERN The Policy Team at Ceres works with companies through Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP) and investors in our Investor Network on Climate Risk to advance climate and clean energy policies at the federal level. The Policy Team is looking for an intern to assist in its work with companies and investors on energy and climate policies - focused on federal work. This position will support the Policy Team primarily through research and writing projects focused on key federal policies, participation and note-taking in strategy meetings, legislative analysis, and other tasks, possibly including data collection and organization. Additionally, this position will also assist with our BICEP Partnerships program. We are looking for candidates with strong organizational, research, and writing skills, an ability to work independently, and some familiarity with environmental and sustainability policies. This position will report both to the Director of Federal Policy and the Director of Stewardship and Partnerships.

    STATE POLICY INTERN The Policy Team at Ceres works with companies through Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP) and investors in our Investor Network on Climate Risk to advance climate and clean energy policies at the state level. This position will support the State Policy Team primarily through research and writing projects focused on (1) key state climate, clean energy and transportation policies, as well as (2) the key actors and decision makers in our priority states. Work will also include participation and note-taking in strategy meetings, legislative analysis, and other tasks, including data collection and organization. We are looking for candidates with strong organizational, research, and writing skills, an ability to work independently, and some familiarity with environmental and sustainability policies.

    INVESTOR INTERN The Summer Intern for the Shareholder Initiative on Climate and Sustainability will focus on research to support investors who are seeking to improve corporate practices on climate change, renewable energy and related issues. Many of the investors are part of Ceres Investor Network on Climate Risk and Sustainability, a network of more than 130 investors, collectively managing over $20 trillion.

    Projects this summer are likely to include:

    • Researching S&P 500 companies to document whether they have (or lack) goals for things such as: reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), sourcing renewable energy and boosting energy efficiency. The research will enable investors to decide which of these companies to ask to set goals.
    • Updating or creating white papers for investors making the business case for companies or industry sectors to address climate change.
    • Researching progress on commitments companies have made to investors.

    We are looking for candidates with: strong research and writing skills; basic familiarity with Google Sheets or Excel; the ability to creatively solve problems and take initiative; and awareness of environmental issues faced by corporations.

    COMPANY NETWORK - CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS The Company Network team engages with the 50+ members of the Ceres Company Network to help them develop sustainable business strategies that address key challenges like climate change. Ceres' advocacy is rooted in the expectations for corporate sustainability that are described in The 21st Century Corporation: The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability. These expectations address four important dimensions of a company's approach to sustainability: governance, stakeholder engagement, disclosure, and performance as it relates to company operations, supply chains and products. The Company Network seeks an intern who will support our corporate engagement work by:

    • Using publicly available information to research and analyze the sustainability performance of individual companies and sectors through the lens of the Ceres Roadmap expectations.
    • Providing deeper research support for ad hoc projects on key topics such as the link between sustainability performance and executive compensation, sustainable supply chains, or modes of stakeholder engagement.
    • Researching, compiling and presenting industry trends and leading practices.

    We are looking for candidates with solid research skills (preferably with experience reviewing corporate sustainability reports), an ability to work independently, excellent verbal and written communication skills and familiarity with key environmental and social sustainability issues that influence, and are influenced by, the private sector. Graduate students preferred, but all will be considered.

    COMPANY NETWORK - HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUITABLE WORKPLACES The intern will support Ceres' work on the advancement of corporate human rights disclosure as a driver of improved performance, including engaging companies on the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGP) on Business and Human Rights and scaling implementation of the UNGP Reporting Framework. Specific opportunities to support this work include:

    • Researching and analyzing current corporate reporting on human rights, including investor expectations on human rights disclosure;
    • Researching and analyzing specific issues within the realm of corporate human rights management, such as forced labor, supplier engagement, and remediation systems;
    • Researching and identifying potential funding and/or project opportunities; and
    • Preparing summary briefing documents and presentations for key project milestones.

    The preferred candidate will possess a familiarity with the Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability and the UN Guiding Principles. Familiarity with corporate disclosure frameworks, such as the Global Reporting Initiative, a plus. Demonstrated ability to take initiative, prioritize responsibilities, and work independently while being part of a team is also important.

    How to Apply

    • Review each program internship opportunity carefully at https://www.ceres.org/about-us/career-opportunities/ and apply for the one you feel best fit.
    • If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit a resume, cover letter, and two (2) brief writing samples, as well as complete the additional information as instructed.

    Ceres is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not discriminate against any individual based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, disability, or any factors prohibited by applicable law.

    Address all correspondence to: Christine Mandell

  • Industry
    Retail
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