Book Promotion Intern, World Policy Institute – New York or remote
Organization: World Policy Institute
Position Title: Intern for Sustainability- and Environmentally-Focused Book Promotion, Speaking Tour, and New Grant Development
Location: New York City, New York or a remote location
Dates and compensation: May to November 2015 (Minimum 5 month-commitment). 40 hours/week. Possiblity of extension.; While this will be an unpaid position, we are prepared to assist students in obtaining academic credit for the experience. Also, a merit-based monthly stipend of $1,000 will be provided after one-month based on performance and learning curve.
Between May and July, coordination will be done in person in New York with the project coordinator of the Bolivia “Living Well Collaborative” project. Further coordination will continue via skype and email between New York and Bolivia.
Position available immediately or for May 1, 2015.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Description: The World Policy Institute / WilliamPowersBooks.com seek and highly-motivated intern to support a speaking tour and related lead-up promotion around the publication of the recent book New Slow City, as well as associated grant development.
This competitive internship gives college graduates and graduate students (plus in some cases highly qualified undergraduates) the opportunity to gain practical experience working with a professional writer and activist, national speaker, and policy analyst. Author of critically-acclaimed, globally focused non-fiction books, Powers is also a freelancer for publications including NY Times, Atlantic Monthly, Washington Post.
The Intern will be given significant responsibility, be exposed to the craft and business of writing, as well as related book promotion (through media and speaking engagements) that builds a platform for social and environmental change. The Intern will also be working closely with World Policy Institute to develop new funding opportunities based on the successful implementation of a grant on “Living Well” (“Vivir Bien”), which is based in Bolivia in 2015.
Past interns have gone on to staff positions in government, non-profit, and business organizations including Conservation International, Demos: A Network for Ideas and Action, Eurasia Group, Independent Diplomat, Millennium Partners, New America Foundation, Sightsavers International, WaterAid America, Worldwatch Institute, the World Policy Institute, and many others. Crain’s New York Business (June 21, 2006) has cited WPI as one of the most sought after internships for ambitious students and recent graduates.
Intern can work from World Policy Institute’s midtown offices and/or remotely from any location with high-speed internet/Skype.
Responsibilities:
Half of the intern’s time will be focused on promotion of Powers’ most recent book New Slow City: Living Simply in the World’s Fastest City – NSC. This will include specific tasks on media outreach and the organization of speaking engagements that require creativity, resourcefulness and attention to detail:
- Media review and follow-up. Detailed media review of what was done around the launch of the book NSC under previous intern in November 2014, and creative responding and follow-up where needed to journalists and blog-writers. This will include a full review of emails, media lists, an analysis of responses and efficient follow-up and ongoing communication as needed.
- Website and FB/social media activity and presence. Action and new content on author website, including creation of blogs, posting new articles, ensuring all media and speaking engagement information is updated. Research new articles, images to post, and ensure general activity.
- Outreach for new events. Outreach, confirmation and organization of speaking engagements for NSC, in conjunction with NSC publisher New World Library, for the six-week period from early September through mid-October 2015. Possible locations include: New York City, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Outreach includes contact with university or organization and also associated local media contacts.
The other half of the Intern’s time will focus on support to and further development of the project of the “Living Well Collaborative,” currently based in Bolivia and hosted by the World Policy Institute. These tasks will include:
- Phase I and Phase II project development, including the drafting of a well-researched and documented proposal for second year of funding.
- Research possible donors, in conjunction with Amanda Dugan (private foundation, individuals, etc) and set up strategic meetings for September and October 2015.
- Arrange speaking opportunities related to the “Living Well Collaborative,” including fireside chats (privately hosted salons) and university and organization-sponsored talks in September and October 2015.This includes creatively finding synergies in New York, including at NYU, Colombia, other universities or organizations; and mapping out an itinerary in conjunction with the NSC-specific events.
- Initiate background research for proposed WPI Bolivia tour April 2016. Also, facilitate outreach on trip proposal to WPI Executive Director and Board. Set up information session at WPI for September and October 2015 trip.
- Support transcriptions of new writing associated with “Living Well Collaborative”.
- Assist with writing and editing of new book associated with “Living Well Collaborative”. This would be based on experience and level of interest.
Qualifications:
First and foremost: Able to deliver high-quality work independently in a highly autonomous environment with little supervision based on clear weekly plans
Outstanding organizational skills
Good interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral)
Good communicator and team player
Ability and desire to complete assignments on time and with meticulous attention to detail
Top academic track record (ideally from a top 20 school and/or in top 10% of class) and excellent references from past work experience
Ability to multi-task
Willing to accept constructive feedback and guidance.
Interest in and experience with environmental issues (preferred)
Passion for writing (preferred)
How to Apply: Applicants should mail the following information:
– Resume
– Brief cover letter
– Writing sample
– Time frame of desired internship (minimum commitment is 5 months) and confirmation of availability for 40 hours/week.
Should you be selected for an interview, you will be asked to provide a letter of recommendation.
Amanda Dugan
World Policy Institute
108 West 39th Street, Suite 1000
New York, NY 10001
- Applicants should email the above information to the following address:
[email protected] - Please do not contact us by telephone.
- Because of the volume of applications, only those selected for an interview will be notified.
As with any job application, successful cover letters must demonstrate familiarity with the author and Institute’s work and a clear sense of how the candidate would like to contribute. Your resume may be fabulous in general, but we are only interested in why you would be fabulous for us in particular.
