Vatican Internship

ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS INTERNSHIP WITH THE VATICAN

Start date: September 1, 2024

Duration: Nine months

The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHP) was created on August 17, 2016 following the unification of four Pontifical Councils – Justice and Peace, Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, Cor Unum, and Health Care Workers – according to the wishes that our Holy Father Pope Francis expressed in his Apostolic Letter, under the form of a Motu Proprio, Humanam Progressionem. This unification makes DPIHD the Vatican’s largest office, focusing on the integral human development of all, especially with regards to ecology, economy, health, security, migrants and refugees. The Ecological Economics Internship is located within the Research Section of the Dicastery and seeks to strengthen the institutionalisation of ecological economics within the Catholic Church.

Length: Nine months (September 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025
Funding: €13,500 (€1,400/month + moving expenses)
Location: Piazza San Calisto, Rome, Italy [office located in Trastevere neighbourhood]
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8am-2pm; Tuesday, Thursday: 8am-2pm + 3:30-6:00pm
Total: 36 hours per week Monday-Friday

Note: Remote work options available for select days

Position Summary

The Ecological Economics Intern is an integral member of the Research Section at the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Your goal is to assist the office in understanding and applying the principles of ecological economics to the social teachings of the Catholic Church. Duties may include issue briefings, letter, speech and report writing, local Church listening and activation, and event or conference representation. Research topics may include ecology, economics, health, migrants, refugees, security, and natural resources development, with a particular effort to integrate these topics for an integral ecology approach.

The Dicastery restructured in 2022 in order to better serve the aspirations of the local Church. To do this, the Dicastery facilitates a two-way dialogue through (i) Listening and Dialogue; (ii) Research and Reflection; and (iii) Communication and Restitution. This way, office directives are informed directly by the voices on the ground, with a particular emphasis on amplifying the most vulnerable and marginalized in society such as children, women, Indigenous peoples, migrants, and persons with disabilities. As a member of the Research Section, you will participate in listening sessions with local Churches and activate those accounts through research directives, network building, and ongoing collaborations.

Responsibilities include:

• Assisting the Dicastery’s Research Section on various projects (e.g., issue briefings, letter, speech and report writing, local Church activation, event or conference representation)
• Strengthening an ecological economics perspective for the Dicastery
• Attending regular team meetings and other relevant office activities
• Advancing principles and dialogue related to ecological economics to shape office directives

Candidate Qualifications:

• Recent graduate in ecological economics or in a demonstrably related area, such as political ecology or eco-theology. We welcome applications from graduate students at any stage of their studies (e.g., interim to ongoing graduate studies, transition to master’s program, transition to PhD program, or recently completed)
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English. Knowledge of Italian or other Romance languages (e.g., French, Spanish, Portuguese) is strongly desired. The official language of the Vatican is Italian and meetings are often conducted in this language.
• Strong ability to work independently on multiple and concurrent research projects
• Effective time management, interpersonal, teamwork, writing and problem solving skills, with a high degree of professionalism and respectful decorum 
• Following or willing to learn the fundamentals of Catholic Social Teaching, especially Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti Papal Encyclicals

The candidate is invited to update and share ongoing projects with the ISEE Board throughout the duration of the internship where appropriate and relevant.

Funding Details:

ISEE has received a commitment of financial support totalling €13,500 to supplement the intern’s living expenses and necessities. Through candidate selection, ISEE is willing to openly discuss financial needs of the intern and secure additional support where needed. The candidate is expected to secure accommodation in Rome themselves.

Application Process:

Please submit a 1-2 page cover letter indicating your interest in and suitability for this position. Describe your personal vision for the ways the evidence-based approach of ecological economics can complement the faith-based teachings of the Catholic Church, and how your professional experiences can advance this collaboration through the internship. Submit a 1-2 page CV as well. Submissions are welcome with the subject line “ISEE INTERNSHIP” at secretariat@isecoeco.org.

The deadline for submissions is 15 July 2024.