* * * * * * * * * * *
Length: 1 year (January-December 2022) with option to extend
Hours: 36 hours/wk (flexible with research needs and urgency of assignments)
Position Summary
The ecological economics intern will work in the ecology and/or economics team within the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD). The DPIHD is the Vatican’s main research arm on matters of ecology, economics, health, migrants, refugees and security. This is exemplified by the Vatican Covid-19 Commission, which is hosted at DPIHD, that seeks to reimagine and transform global economic structures to ensure integral human development for all. It also reports its findings directly to Pope Francis.
The internship is the product of a Memorandum of Understanding between the DPIHD and ISEE, coordinated and advised by the ecumenical Circle of Ecological Economics Elders (CoEEE), composed of some of the principal thought leaders of the Ecological Economics movement in league with global activists on climate change, ecological overshoot and social equity. The internship is dedicated to the memory of Stuart Scott, a brave fighter for ecological economics principles and the need for interfaith leadership to break the roadblocks to global cooperation in combating global change.
Funding
ISEE has received commitment of financial support to the internship in the form of a partial scholarship to cover rental of living quarters at a maximum of EUR 1000/mo. for 12 months. Expenses on food and travel connected to the internship should be covered by the intern’s home institution or by the intern. If no additional funding is assured for the winning candidate, a further grant for these purposes may be negotiated.
Responsibilities
- Assist the leads of the ecology (Fr Joshtrom Kureethadam), economics (Marta Pedrajas) and Covid-19 commission (Sr Alessandra Smerili) on various projects
- Regular (biweekly) meetings with the CoEEE to coordinate efforts undertaken with the Dicastery with other ISEE and degrowth research initiatives (such as development and rollout of a community footprint survey and action initiative with local parishes worldwide.
- Letter and speech writing
- Assist in the rollout of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform
- Develop stronger relationships with Vatican Radio, Vatican Media and the Pontifical Academies
- Research on your PhD or postdoc (Vatican related or not, but you can have access to the library and archives if needed)
Requirements
- Current PhD candidate or postdoc in ecological economics or degrowth, or demonstrably related area
- Demonstrates in-depth understanding and advocacy of ecological economics principles
- Strong written and oral communication skills (in English, ideally also Italian, Latin or Romance languages helpful)
- Ability to work independently and take initiative on projects
- Following or willing to learn the fundamentals of Catholic Social Teaching, especially Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti
Application Process
- 1 or 2 page CV
- Writing sample (or recent publication)
- Letter of commitment to the objectives of the internship with a brief (2-pg max) research and action plan for the year
- Recommendation from thesis supervisor or faculty head
- To be submitted by December 15; Decision by December 31
Send submissions to secretariat@isecoeco.org.