ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY at Food & Restoration Program

ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Food & Restoration Program

Organization: World Resources Institute (WRI)
Location: Kigali, Rwanda (Office Flex with field travel)
Employment Type: Full-time Internship
Duration: 3 months (renewable for an additional 3 months)
Application Deadline: January 13, 2026
Job Requisition ID: 2026-JR100002

About WRI

The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization that works to improve people’s lives, protect nature, and stabilize the climate. In Africa, WRI supports sustainable food systems and landscape restoration through evidence-based research, policy engagement, and on-the-ground implementation.

About the Programs

Food Program

The WRI Africa Food Program focuses on transforming food systems to address food and nutrition insecurity while advancing climate and environmental goals. Priority areas include:

• Sustainable and regenerative agriculture

• Reduction of food loss and waste

• Promotion of diverse, nutritious diets, particularly for women and children

• Circular economy approaches that link food systems, climate action, and livelihoods

In Rwanda, these efforts are implemented through the Circular Economy for Food in Rwanda (CIRF) initiative, funded by the IKEA Foundation and implemented with consortium partners.

Restoration Program

Since 2013, WRI has supported Rwanda’s forest and landscape restoration agenda in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and the Rwanda Forestry Authority. WRI contributes to:

• Development of restoration champions and bankable projects

• Mobilization of finance for community-led restoration

• Policy support for restoration and ecosystem services

• Monitoring, reporting, and learning (MRL) for restoration outcomes

About the Internship

The Academic Internship in Food & Restoration Program offers students hands-on experience at the intersection of sustainable agriculture, circular food systems, and landscape restoration. Interns will work closely with WRI Rwanda teams and partners to support research, implementation, and policy engagement.

Internship Learning Objectives & Responsibilities

1. Crop Productivity Mapping

• Participate in field data collection for crop type and yield assessments

• Support pilot yield monitoring systems with Rwanda Space Agency (RSA) and MINAGRI

• Assist with data analysis, reporting, and crop monitoring protocol design

2. Circular Food Systems

• Support SMEs in adopting circular economy practices

• Assist initiatives focused on reducing food loss and waste

• Contribute to organic waste reuse (composting, animal feed, bioenergy)

• Support Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP) dialogues and follow-up actions

3. Food in Restoration

• Support integration of sustainable food production into landscape restoration

• Work with restoration champions to adopt climate-smart practices

• Contribute to monitoring impacts on food productivity and ecosystem health

• Develop case studies documenting integrated food-restoration approaches

4. Knowledge Sharing & Reporting

• Prepare technical notes, briefs, and field observations

• Support presentations, infographics, and short reports

• Participate in team discussions and technical working groups

Additional Responsibilities

• Support trainings, workshops, and field demonstrations

• Assist with mapping and documentation of best practices

• Engage with farmers, partners, and stakeholders to collect feedback

Expected Deliverables

• At least one technical note or field brief

• One case study on integrated food systems and restoration

• Final presentation or report summarizing internship experience

• Analytical or policy brief on sustainable agriculture or circular food systems

• Communication materials (infographics, maps, datasets)

• Contributions to policy dialogue documentation

Duration & Working Conditions

• Duration: 3 months (renewable)

• Location: Full-time at WRI Rwanda Office in Kigali, with field visits

• Supervision: Guided by WRI Rwanda Food & Restoration Program teams

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in:

  • Agronomy

  • Conservation Agriculture

  • Environmental Science

  • Or a related field

• Basic understanding of sustainable agriculture and soil conservation

• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

• Familiarity with GIS or data analysis tools (QGIS, R, Excel) is an advantage

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following via the WRI application portal:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Cover Letter

• University Sponsorship Letter

📅 Application Deadline: January 13, 2026