Join SEI Asia to help the Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA) Secretariat deepen its engagement with current members and attract new members to foster collaboration within the research and action communities around adaptation.
Introduction to SEI Asia
Based in Bangkok, SEI Asia has a diverse team of multinational experts who integrate scientific research with participatory approaches to co-develop and share knowledge, build partnerships, and influence policy for resilient development. SEI Asia’s work focuses on gender and social equity, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, water insecurity and integrated water resources management, transitional agriculture, renewable energy and urbanization.
SEI Asia is an affiliate of Chulalongkorn University (CU), Thailand. SEI and CU have an agreement to foster innovative scientific research combined with effective policy engagement on development and environmental challenges in Asia. The key areas of collaboration are intellectual engagement for joint research applications and fund mobilization, lectures and seminars for CU students, post-graduate supervision and examination, and CU–SEI employee links.
Introduction to the Adaptation Research Alliance
Launched at COP26, the Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA) is a global coalition made up of researchers, funders, policymakers, development bodies, and community-based organizations committed to action research for adaptation that supports climate resilient futures. The ARA accelerates and scales investments in action-oriented research that addresses critical gaps in adaptation and resilience knowledge. It strengthens linkages between research and implementation, builds capacity across all stages of the adaptation process, and promotes global learning to empower the most vulnerable populations.
Starting in April 2025, the ARA Secretariat is hosted by SEI Asia in Bangkok and the Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute (CUSRI). As the Secretariat of ARA, SEI and CUSRI will work with ARA members, spread across almost 50 countries on six continents, to achieve shared goals and a collective vision of change.
Role
As SEI takes on the Secretariat functions of the ARA, it is an opportunity to strengthen the ARA’s engagement with current members as well as attract new members with the aim of promoting its principles and fostering collaboration within the research and action communities. To support this work, the ARA secretariat is looking for an independent, creative, and highly motivated individual to join our team as an intern.
Key duties and responsibilities
The intern will support the Secretariat through the following:
- Manage day-to-day processing of membership applications.
- Review the existing membership database and update it to reflect current members, filling gaps in database information such as member contact details, area of expertise and any other data requested in the membership application form.
- Identify active members, update focal points, and prepare a list of inactive members.
- Prepare a list of fields to be added to the membership application form to improve its effectiveness (such as phone number, etc.) based on the membership database and membership analysis report.
- Follow up with new members to register on the members’ area of the ARA website.
- Monitor the members’ area of the ARA website daily to see the kind of activity that occurs there and flag anything that needs attention
- Review member queries and categorize them to develop an FAQ document and workflow system.
- Prepare potential resources, opportunities, events and member spotlight pieces for the newsletter, as well as posts for social media.
- Support outreach to members via MailChimp.
- Prepare a monthly report on membership engagement across social media channels and the members’ area of the ARA website.
- Support with synthesizing reports received from the previous host organization.
- Prepare a list of actions to be taken for membership engagement based on the membership analysis report from Transitions Research.
- Support development of a Membership Engagement Strategy.
- Identify reporting requirements from project log frame and collect relevant information for reporting.
- Participate in weekly/monthly team meetings.
- Provide support through additional tasks as needed.
Who you are
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive person with a passion for outreach and engagement with organizations at the nexus of research on climate adaptation, development and sustainability.
Required qualifications and skills
- Ongoing or recently completed master’s degree in a relevant subject: Development Studies, Political Science, Anthropology, Sociology, International Relations, Journalism, Communications or other related social sciences
- Understanding of climate change adaptation
- Proficient in using MailChimp and Canva
- Proficient in using Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- Fluent in English with good communication skills on email and phone calls
- Experience conducting stakeholder mapping, data entry and data reviews
- Experience writing reports and synthesizing information based on the work
Required personal skills
- Enthusiastic about working on databases and reports
- Able to turn in outputs at short notice
- Willing to research and develop content
- Works well both in teams and independently
- Committed to continuous learning
- Works well with organizations in diverse cultural and disciplinary contexts
Desired competencies
- Experience in the non-profit sector
- Prior employment or internship experience in a relevant professional setting
- Candidates based in Bangkok are preferred
Additional information
This is a paid internship.
How to apply
We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis so please submit your application as soon as possible, however no later than 20 July 2025, 23:59 Bangkok local time.
Applications should be written in English and consist of a one-page CV and short cover letter highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.
Applications should be sent to Preeti Abraham (preeti.abraham@sei.org).
Only shortlisted applicants meeting the criteria will be contacted.
Inquiries concerning the content of the position can be directed to Ujala Rajbhandari (ujala.rajbhandari@sei.org).
Questions about the internship or application process can be directed to Nipa Laithong (nipa.laithong@sei.org).
SEI is an equal opportunity employer, and we consider all applicants based on qualifications and competencies regardless but not limited to race, national origin, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability and marital status. We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organization and applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
About SEI
Stockholm Environment Institute is an international non-profit research institute that tackles environment and sustainable development challenges.
We empower partners to meet these challenges through cutting-edge research, knowledge, tools and capacity building. Scientific quality and integrity are foundations of our work. Partnership is at the heart of our approach, leading to change that lasts.
Our work connects science to policy and practice, aiming to drive tangible impacts. It spans climate change, natural resources, water, air, and health, and addresses questions of governance, innovation, finance, poverty, gender equality and social equity.
We are committed to transparency and full disclosure of our funding. The Government of Sweden is our largest funder, and we also receive funds from a range of public research funders, philanthropic foundations, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, governments, NGOs and other partners.
Through SEI’s HQ and seven centres around the world, we engage with policy, practice and development action for a sustainable, prosperous future for all.
