Job Description

Position : Graduate Student Intern – Water Management & Stewardship

Key Details: 18 Hours per week | 6 Month Paid Internship | Remote or Alexandria, VA

Reports to: Environmental Program Manager

About the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA): The Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) is a non-profit coalition of leading companies dedicated to advancing responsible business conduct in global supply chains. The RBA has a Code of Conduct and a range of programs, training and assessment tools to support continuous improvement. The RBA has a global footprint, with offices in North America, Europe and Asia. The RBA and its Responsible Minerals, Labor and Factory Initiatives have more than 600 member companies with combined annual revenues of greater than $8 trillion, directly employing over 85 million people, with products manufactured in more than 120 countries.

Internship Overview :

The Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) is seeking a Graduate Student Intern to support its Responsible Environment Initiative (REI) with a primary focus on water management and stewardship in international supply chains. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to industry-wide efforts in advancing sustainable water practices while gaining hands-on experience in corporate environmental responsibility.

While the primary focus of this role is water stewardship, the intern may also support other environmental focus areas within the Responsible Environment Initiative, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) management, circularity, and waste.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct research and analysis on best practices in water stewardship, including risk assessment, corporate water reporting, and sustainable water use in supply chains.
• Support the development of guidance documents, reports, and training materials related to water management.
• Assist in stakeholder engagement, including coordination with RBA member companies, industry experts, and external partners.
• Help translate technical research into practical recommendations for corporate environmental programs.
• Support the development and implementation of tools and frameworks related to water risk assessment and reporting.
• Contribute to the Responsible Environment Initiative’s broader environmental efforts, including climate action, waste management, and circular economy initiatives.
• Assist with project coordination, data analysis, and preparation of professional-grade presentations and reports.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

• Current graduate student pursuing a degree in environmental management, water resources, corporate sustainability, or a related field. ( Required)
• Knowledge of water risk assessment frameworks (e.g., WRI Aqueduct, CDP Water Security, Alliance for Water Stewardship).
• Understanding of corporate environmental sustainability, including reporting frameworks such as CDP, GRI, SASB, or TCFD.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to translate findings into actionable insights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for developing reports, presentations, and stakeholder communications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with data visualization tools is a plus.
• Strong project coordination skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.

Pertinent Information:

• Location: Remote or based at RBA’s headquarters in Alexandria, VA
• Duration: 6-month internship with a flexible start date, ideally no later than April 2025.
• Time Commitment: 18 Hours per week with scheduling flexibility to work around graduate classes and commitments
• Pay: $1,250 stipend per month

This position is an excellent opportunity for a graduate student passionate about corporate water stewardship and broader environmental sustainability to contribute to meaningful industry-wide change.

To apply, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience.

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