Jobs and Internships

On this page: Forest Finance Coordinator | Latin America Program Assistant | Africa Program Assistant | Europe/Central Asia Program Internship | Finance & Development Intern

Forest Finance Coordinator

We are looking for a sharp, energetic person with strong advocacy and organizing skills to lead our ongoing campaign on REDD.  Our campaign aims to enhance transparency, accountability and civil society participation mechanisms in the design and implementation of the World Bank’s programs on Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD), which includes the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) and Forest Investment Program (FIP). BIC is currently the official NGO Observer for the FCPF.

The Coordinator will work closely with conservation, indigenous peoples, and climate groups/networks.  S/he will work hand-in-hand with BIC’s regional programs on Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The Coordinator will be based in BIC’s DC office with frequent travel abroad.  See /en/Issue.50.aspx for more information on our campaign.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Information Services and Analysis
   • Obtain and disseminate to civil society groups in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Washington latest information and analyses on country REDD proposals in the pipeline.
   • Work with BIC’s regional programs in monitoring in-country implementation of the REDD readiness plans, paying close attention to potential use of new policy conditions and disregard of local communities/indigenous peoples rights.
2. Convening Role
   • As the official NGO observer to the FCPF, convey civil society concerns to the Participants Committee and advocate for CSO recommendations
   • Facilitate participation of civil society stakeholders in the design and implementation of the FCPF Strategic and Environmental and Social Assessment
   • Assist in organizing REDD capacity building workshops in Asia, Africa, and Latin America with forest communities, indigenous peoples, government officials and/or local NGOs, to conduct basic training, share information and support advocacy planning.
   • Organize and facilitate a civil society working group, including partners from REDD countries, to generate constructive input on FCPF developments
3. Analysis and Advocacy
   • Analyze and develop cogent briefings on developments regarding World Bank REDD programs
   • Engage senior staff of World Bank management and Executive Directors and the U.S. Treasury/Congress to advocate for BIC/partner positions.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Strong interest in environmental and social justice.
2. Strong understanding of key deforestation and climate financing issues.
3. Strong communication, organizing, writing, and analytical skills.
4. At least three years of experience in environment or development fields, preferably related to international climate or forest policy advocacy.
5. Master’s degree (preferred) in relevant social science field such as environmental studies, political science, economics, and international relations. 
6. Willingness and ability to learn quickly and work with a diverse array of civil society groups, as well as World Bank and U.S. government staff.

SALARY AND BENEFITS 

Salary will be commensurate with experience. BIC offers outstanding benefits including generous annual leave with pay, fully covered health insurance, and a friendly work atmosphere in an international team.

PROCESS

Send a cover letter explaining your interest in the position, a 1-2 page resume, and two writing samples to or by fax to 202-737-1155.  Write “Forest Coordinator” on the subject heading.  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Anticipated start date is May 1, 2010.  No phone calls please.  Due to capacity constraints, BIC will only reply to short-listed candidates.

Latin America Program Assistant

The Bank Information Center (BIC) partners with civil society around the world to influence the World Bank and other international financial institutions (IFIs) to promote social and economic justice and ecological sustainability. BIC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization that advocates for the protection of rights, participation, transparency, and public accountability in the governance and operations of the World Bank Group and regional development banks.  

We are looking for a sharp, energetic person with strong writing, communication, and organizing skills to help us in our ongoing campaign to strengthen social and environmental safeguards and ensure meaningful civil society participation in the design and implementation of the World Bank’s programs on Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD), which includes the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) and Forest Investment Program (FIP). BIC is currently the official NGO Observer for the FCPF. S/he will assist in writing regular updates on IFI REDD initiatives, communicating timely information and analysis to Latin American civil society partners, and organizing national/regional REDD workshops in the region.  Click here here for more information on our campaign.

The Latin America Program Assistant will be based in BIC’s Washington DC office, with occasional travel to the region. 

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Program Assistant will assist the Latin America Program Manager in planning and implementing various programmatic and administrative tasks related to BIC’s ongoing campaign, with focus on REDD activities.  These may include assistance in the following tasks:

Information sharing and capacity building

1. Obtain and disseminate to partners in Latin America timely documents and information on the operations of the FCPF & FIP.
2. Write and disseminate regular web updates/newsletters on IFI REDD initiatives in the region which would include latest information on design and implementation, ongoing civil society efforts, and opportunities to influence the process.
3. Organize regional/national level REDD workshops, possibly in Mexico, Colombia, or Central America. Workshops will be with relevant stakeholders, including forest communities, indigenous peoples, government officials and local NGOs, to conduct basic training, share information, and support advocacy planning.
4. Organize partner visits to Washington, DC to participate in FCPF meetings/negotiations and raise key concerns and interests with Bank staff and delegates.

   Monitoring

5. Identify and work with partner organizations in Latin America REDD countries to monitor FCPF readiness activities to ensure transparency and broad participation.

   Advocacy

6. Engage relevant staff of the World Bank to obtain latest information, relay specific CSO concerns, and advocate for CSO positions on the FCPF/FIP.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Strong interest in environmental and social justice, and good understanding of key concerns involving forestry, climate, and REDD issues.
2. Strong writing, communication, analytical, and organizing skills.  Experience in writing informational briefs and organizing workshops are a plus.
3. One to three years of experience in environment or development fields, preferably related to forest or climate policy advocacy. Direct field experience in Latin America is preferred.
4. Bachelor’s degree in relevant social science field.  Masters degree is a plus.
5. Ability to learn quickly and work with a diverse array of civil society groups, as well as with World Bank and U.S. government staff.
6. Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under tight deadlines.
7. Fluency in Spanish is required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS 

Salary will be $30,000 to $33,000 per year. BIC offers outstanding benefits including comprehensive health insurance, generous annual leave with pay, and a friendly work atmosphere in an international team. 

PROcESS

Send a cover letter explaining your interest in the position, a 1-2 page resume, and two writing samples to or by fax to 202-737-1155.  Write “LAC Assistant” on the subject heading.  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Anticipated start date is March 1, 2010.  No phone calls please.  Due to capacity constraints, BIC will only reply to short-listed candidates.

Africa Program Assistant

BIC is seeking a Program Assistant to work with its Africa Program. The successful candidate for this position will assist the Program Manager in carrying out BIC’s ongoing campaigns to achieve progressive reform at the World Bank, in particular BIC’s new Forestry Campaign to strengthen social and environmental safeguards and ensure meaningful civil society participation in the World Bank’s programs on Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD). The Program Assistant will be based in BIC’s DC office and will report to the Program Manager.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

She/he will be primarily responsible for carrying out activities relating to Africa within BIC’s Forestry Campaign, and will play a supporting role in the implementation of BIC’s other three campaigns on transparency, climate change, and extractive industries. General responsibilities include:

Outreach

• Expand outreach to CSOs working in and on Africa by identifying and contacting new potential partners, particularly relating to BIC’s forestry campaign.
• Assist the Program Manager in responding to requests for information about World Bank projects and policies in the region.

  Writing

• Providing analytical input about the World Bank’s REDD initiatives in Africa.
• Research and draft regular updates on World Bank projects and policies on the continent as related to BIC’s four campaigns.
• Prepare and disseminate regular news briefings to partners.
• Assist the Program Manager in writing proposals and grant reports.

  Other Tasks

• Engage relevant World Bank staff on its REDD initiatives, relay specific CSO concerns, and advocate CSO positions on REDD.
• Organize possible REDD workshop in the region for relevant stakeholders, including forest communities, indigenous peoples, government officials and local NGOs, to conduct basic training, share information, and support advocacy planning.
• Organize partner visits to Washington to participate in REDD meetings/negotiations and raise key concerns and interests with Bank staff and delegates.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong interest in environmental and social justice.
• Strong writing, communication, analytical, and organizing skills. Experience in writing informational briefs and organizing workshops are a plus.
• One to three years experience in development or environment fields. A good understanding of key concerns around forestry, climate, and REDD issues is strongly preferred.
• Fluency in French and work experience in sub-Saharan Africa is strongly preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in an international setting and work either independently or as part of a team to meet tight deadlines.
• Bachelors degree

SALARY AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time regular staff position with a one year term, renewable based on funding availability and staff performance. Salary will be $30,000 to $33,000 per year. BIC offers outstanding benefits including comprehensive health insurance, generous annual leave with pay, and a friendly work atmosphere in an international team.

PROCESS

Send a cover letter, resume (indicate 2 references) and a short writing sample to . Write “Africa Program Assistant” on the subject heading. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. No phone calls please. Due to capacity constraints, BIC will only reply to short-listed candidates.

Europe/Central Asia Program Internship

The Bank Information Center is seeking a full-time intern to work in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Program. The position is ideal for individuals who are interested in issues relating to multilateral financial institutions, development, international human rights, good governance and the environment. BIC offers interns the opportunity to interact on a daily basis with environment and social justice activists throughout the world and to gain extensive practical experience and knowledge of the IFIs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Europe and Central Asia Program Intern will work with the Program Manager to provide support to our partners in Europe and Central Asia (especially Russia, Central Asia and the Caucasus) in their efforts to promote more socially and environmentally responsible the policies and activities of the World Bank and other financial institutions. The duties of the intern include:

• Researching IFI activities in the region and preparing written updates;
• Maintaining and writing regular updates for ECA section of BIC's  website;
• Providing written analytical input concerning policies of the international development banks;
• Attending meetings, conferences and events in Washington DC on issues relevant to our work and reporting back to the ECA team;
• Updating and maintaining our contact database;
• Organizing partner visits to Washington, DC to participate in meetings/negotiations;
• Assisting in other programmatic and administrative tasks.

QUALIFICATIOnS

• Strong commitment to international social and environmental justice, and good understanding and knowledge of the international financial institutions.
• Strong writing, communication, analytical, and organizing skills.  Experience in writing informational briefs is a plus.
• Experience in advocacy or research support roles.
• Ability to learn quickly and work with a diverse array of civil society groups, as well as with World Bank.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under tight deadlines.
• Spoken and written command of Russian is highly desirable, but not required. 
• Bachelor’s degree with focus on regional studies required  
• U.S. work authorization required.  

SALARY AND DURATION

BIC will provide a stipend of $1,000 per month.  Duration is three months, beginning April 1, 2010, with possible extension.

TO APPLY

Send a cover letter explaining your interest in this internship and your relevant experience, a 1-2 page resume, and a short writing sample to or by fax to 202-737-1155 by March 15, 2010.  Write “ECA Program Internship” on the subject head.  No phone calls please.  Due to capacity constraints, BIC will only reply to short-listed candidates.

Finance and Development Intern

BIC is seeking a full-time Finance Intern, who will support the Finance Associate and Development Director in their daily tasks.  The position is based in Washington, DC, and is ideal for individuals seeking exposure in international affairs, especially on issues relating to development, international human rights, and the environment.  BIC offers the possibility of interaction with environment and social justice activists throughout the world. Our informal, dynamic structure enables interns to be exposed to BIC's day-to-day operations and gain extensive practical experience and knowledge of the IFIs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Tasks associated with this internship may include, but are not limited to:

1. Make bank deposits and petty cash withdrawals
2. Ensure delivery and accuracy of staff & field expense reports, with appropriate receipts
3. Assist in file organizing, mailing checks, and office management issues
4. Assist in setting up organization’s intranet website
5. Edit grant proposals/reports and other BIC publications.

QUALIFICATIONS

Strong interest in social justice issues.  Detail-oriented.  Organized. Comfortable with numbers. Can multi-task. Good writing and web skills a plus.  Ability to work harmoniously with fellow employees.  U.S. work authorization. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.  

SALARY AND DURATION

BIC will provide a stipend of US$1,000 per month.  Duration is from April 1 to July 31, 2010 (flexible/extendable). 

PROCESS

Send a cover letter explaining your interest in this internship, 1-2 page resume to or by fax to 202-737-1155. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Write “Finance Intern” on the subject head.  No phone calls please.  Due to capacity constraints, BIC will only reply to short-listed candidates.