If you’re looking for a career in research and have an interest in the environment, then an internship at WMCA could help you get on the right path.

Our environment team have recently secured c.£1m investment from central government to deliver an air quality project that will install air quality sensors and deliver multiple behaviour change campaigns, as well as a wide range of research and engagement activities.

As our Environment Research Intern, you’ll be integral to supporting the research projects and community events for the air quality project.

Please note: working hours for this internship are 29.2 hours per week across 4 days, some weekend work may be required.  The internship will run from mid-late June to the end of September 2023. 

What will you be doing?

• Support with researching content to create an Air Quality Literacy training course for elected officials and local authority officers
• Support with organising and attending events across the region to engage the public on air quality issues
• Liaise with stakeholders and project partners, keeping a record of project progress and ensuring successful delivery of the tasks
• Provide weekly updates to the Environment Team
• Provide ad-hoc support to Environment Team members as required during the internship around research, events, briefings and meetings

In June 2019, the WMCA declared a climate emergency and set a 2041 zero carbon target. In March 2021, we had published our first Five Year Plan setting out our priorities for decarbonising the region. The West Midlands Combined Authority’s Environment Team, part of our Strategy, Integration and Net Zero directorate, is leading the delivery on environment and climate change with the aim to create a fairer, greener and healthier West Midlands.

As part of this, we have a vision to create circular economy opportunities for the West Midlands The aim is to support sustainable growth in the region’s businesses through new circular business models, as well as to provide opportunities for the social economy and the region’s communities.

About you

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent
• Demonstrable experience in a research environment
• Proven production of research work utilising analytical skills, with ability to review data to determine best approach
• Demonstrable ability to support event management activity – from organising venues, online events, and engagement activity with stakeholders
• Excellent communication, both orally and verbally
• Intermediate with MS Packages such as Office and PowerPoint
• Ability to write and edit reports and presentations
• Excellent interpersonal skills, working with a variety of public and private stakeholders
• Self-starter, with excellent organisational skills

Not a complete match?

WMCA is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace that reflects the communities of the West Midlands. Studies show that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for roles if they believe they do not meet each requirement. If you are passionate about this role and want to make a difference to the West Midlands region, we encourage you to still apply. If you know you have the potential to do the job, but your experience does not straightforwardly sell you as the ‘perfect candidate’, really highlight your skills and those which are transferable.

How to apply

Please upload an up-to-date CV and supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Our application process is designed to be anonymised and ask all applicants to remove their name and avoid referring to protected characteristics, such as gender or age, when uploading their CV and Supporting Statement.

If you would like to discuss alternative methods to the online application as a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk) – we’re here to help.

About us

WMCA is committed to a better connected, more prosperous, fairer, greener, and healthier region. This is our vision. We will achieve our vision through living our values which are central to how we work and interact with our wider partners and stakeholders.

We’re a partnership organisation. Our people feel valued and respected, have a can-do attitude and are innovators. We try new ways of doing things, we aren’t afraid to fail, learn from what went wrong and try again. Our people are empowered to be creative and explore and innovate.

We are a “Leaders in Diversity” accredited organisation, are in the Inclusive Top 50 Employers List and are one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. As a Disability Confident Employer, we have made a positive commitment to interviewing all applicants with a disability who meet the essential role criteria. We are committed to building a team of people with varied backgrounds and experiences as we recognise that this will only benefit us as an employer, the more inclusive we are the better our work will be.

Furthermore, wherever possible we will offer flexible working options which assist work-life balance. We are very happy to discuss a flexible working pattern that suits your needs, so please do not let that be a barrier to applying. If your values align with ours and you’re committed to working towards creating a future we can all be proud of, we want to hear from you.

West Midlands Combined Authority operates a Hybrid way of working. This means splitting your time between the office at 16 Summer Lane, and working remotely. 

Supporting documents
Envrionment Research Intern JD.docx