Intern - Environmental and Sustainability

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center, is seeking an applications from enthusiastic individual looking to gain professional experience in the field of organizational sustainability under IWMI’s internship program. The internship will be based at IWMI’s headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Scope of internship

The intern will support the implementation of organizational sustainability initiatives by working closely with IWMI's sustainability team, ensuring efficient and timely fulfillment of responsibilities. The selected candidate will also work collaboratively with all supporting teams. The intern is expected to maintain ethical and professional relationships with regional offices, supporting teams and any external stakeholders in carrying out assigned tasks.

The intern will assist in the following areas:

• Understand IWMI’s organizational and operational boundaries for reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and facilitate activity data collection under the close guidance of the Sustainability Officer.
• Follow up with regional offices for quarterly recording of sustainability data and collaborate with the consultant on data analysis and report preparation.
• Liaise with the consultant and support training and capacity-building exercises for Task Team members, as well as internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate with the Sustainability Working Group to ensure the timely delivery of action plans.
• Assist in developing recommendations to reduce IWMI’s carbon footprint.
• Assist in setting carbon budgets for IWMI headquarters and regional offices, in alignment with reduction targets, and ensure progress toward their achievement.
• Support efforts to raise supplier awareness about IWMI’s carbon footprint reduction initiatives and promote green procurement when engaging new suppliers.
• Assist in developing tools and materials for effective sustainability communication.
• Contribute to the preparation of IWMI’s Annual Sustainability Report.

Requirements

• Undergraduates or recent graduates with a degree in Sustainability, Environmental Science, or a related field from a recognized and accredited university.
• A master’s degree in Sustainability, Environmental Science, or any related field will be an added advantage.
• Strong understanding of GHG accounting and sustainability reporting.
• Strong command of English, both written and spoken.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively and meet deadlines.
• Goal-oriented, discreet and well-organized, with strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.

Benefits

IWMI will provide a monthly stipend to the selected candidate during the internship period.

The duration of the initial internship contract will be 6 months, with the possibility of extension for another 6 months based on performance, requirements of IWMI and the availability of funds. This is a nationally recruited internship and only Sri Lankans are eligible to apply.

To apply, visit www.iwmi.org/jobs. Applications must be submitted by 24:00 (Colombo time) on July 21, 2025 (Monday).

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is an international, research-for-development organization that works with governments, civil society and the private sector to solve water problems in developing countries and scale up solutions. Through partnership, IWMI combines research on the sustainable use of water and land resources, knowledge services and products with capacity strengthening, dialogue and policy analysis to support implementation of water management solutions for agriculture, ecosystems, climate change and inclusive economic growth. Headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, IWMI is a CGIAR Research Center with offices in 15 countries and a global network of scientists operating in more than 55 countries. www.iwmi.org

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.