Position Summary:
The World Resources Institute (WRI) is seeking a dynamic Research Assistant with relevant investment experience for a primary role in its New Ventures (www.new-ventures.org) initiative.
New Ventures is a business accelerator that supports environmentally- and socially-responsible enterprises in emerging economies. We identify small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) with high-growth potential that generate strong social and environmental benefits and provide then them with business advisory services and access to capital. Additionally, we work with local and international investment communities and networks to help further develop capital resources available to these enterprises. Since 2000, New Ventures has supported 244 companies and facilitated around $200 million in investment.
In collaboration with local partners, New Ventures operates a global network of six centers of sustainable entrepreneurship in Brazil, Mexico, China, Colombia, Indonesia and India.
Major Responsibilities:
The Assistant will be responsible for (a) supporting New Ventures' global impact evaluation work stream; aiding in the development of an enterprise-focused, field-based training seminar to aid SMEs in evaluating their performance; writing support for an SME toolkit for impact measurement; gathering and managing key portfolio metrics from our six Local Centers; and (b) supporting New Ventures' external communications strategy, developing content for NV's website, profiling portfolio companies and highlighting key events taking place around the network and the Local Centers.
Qualifications
- 1-3 years of work experience related to the environmental/social enterprise space
- Ability to effectively interact with local centers and research key data on portfolio companies
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential
- Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Power Point) and the Internet. Basic knowledge of graphic design suites like InDesign and Photoshop, a strong plus.
- Good interpersonal skills and works well in team settings
- Self-starter and works well with little supervision
- Degree in business administration, finance, economics or other related fields. Master's preferred.
- Willingness to travel
- Interest in private-sector solutions to sustainable development
About WRI:
WRI is an environmental think tank that goes beyond research to create practical ways to protect the planet and improve people's lives. Our mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth's environment for current and future generations.
- People and ecosystems. Reverse rapid degradation of ecosystems and assure their capacity to provide humans with needed goods and services.
- Climate change. Protect the global climate system from further harm due to emissions of greenhouse gases and help humanity and the natural world adapt to unavoidable climate change.
- Markets and Enterprise. Harness markets and enterprise to expand economic opportunity and protect the environment.
- Access. Guarantee public access to information and decisions regarding natural resources and the environment.
- Institutional excellence. Support and enhance WRI's ability to achieve results. In all of its policy research and work with institutions, WRI tries to build bridges between ideas and action, meshing the insights of scientific research, economic and institutional analyses, and practical experience with the need for open and participatory decision-making.
WRI is 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 preference, parental status, or disability. WRI only accepts resumes for current vacancies.
Qualified applicants only.
Applications are due by January 29, 2010.
Candidates please send cover letter, curriculum vitae/resume, and 1-2 page relevent writing sample to:
World Resources Institute
Attn: Robert Kimball
10 G Street, NE (Suite 800)
Washington, DC 20002
fax: (202) 729-7637
email: rkimball@wri.org
Please, no phone calls.
