Position Overview
The Strategic Learning & Impact (SL&I) team at The Rockefeller Foundation plays a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission by driving rigorous impact measurement, strategic learning, and program effectiveness. The intern position supports the team’s efforts to develop intelligence through landscape analyses, stakeholder mapping, and methodology reviews that inform fit-for-purpose impact measurement approaches. The role also contributes to horizon scanning for emerging trends, supports program teams and grantees in designing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and assists in drafting guidance and tools for capacity building. This position is integral to synthesizing complex information and supporting high-impact projects across the Foundation’s focus areas.
Program Details
- Open to graduate students currently enrolled in an accredited program.
- Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter as part of the application process.
- Work authorization in the United States is required.
- This is a summer internship, full-time (35 hrs/week) from June through August 2026.
- The position is based in New York City and requires in-office presence Monday- Thursday.
Hiring Range: $30–$35 hourly rate. This represents the present low and high end of the Foundation’s pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to experience. This is a non-exempt position and thus eligible for overtime pay.
Principal Duties And Responsibilities
- Develop intelligence (e.g., landscape reports, stakeholder mapping, methodology reviews) to inform the Foundation’s impact measurement approaches.
- Leverage new tools—including AI-powered platforms—to systematically scan for emerging signals and collaborate with program teams to translate findings into actionable strategic insights.
- Support SL&I, program teams, and grantees on specific monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) workstreams, such as developing theories of change, impact measurement frameworks, and strategic learning questions, under the guidance of the Manager.
- Contribute to guidance and tools for Foundation staff, grantees, and partners on impact measurement and strategic learning practices.
- Collect, analyze, and synthesize reader feedback on the Foundation’s annual impact report.
Education, Experience, And Skills
- Currently enrolled in a graduate program in international development, international relations, public policy, public health, economics, business, finance, or a related field.
- Demonstrates foundational experience or coursework in impact measurement, evaluation, strategic learning, data science, or strategy.
- Able to analyze, synthesize, visualize, and communicate both quantitative and qualitative information in a clear and accessible manner to a variety of audiences.
- Interest in one or more of the Foundation’s focus areas, such as climate, energy, public health, food systems and nutrition, innovative finance, or economic opportunity.
- Possesses basic proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, Monday.com, and data visualization tools, with a demonstrated ability to quickly learn new software applications.
- Takes initiative as a self-starter, consistently applies strong organizational skills, and maintains attention to detail in all tasks.
Competencies
- Bias for Action: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
- Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
- Decision Quality: Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
- Strategic Learning: Actively learns through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
- Values Differences:Recognizes the value of different perspectives, commits to being self-aware and respectful, and seeks to learn from new and different voices.
About The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity in food, health, energy, and finance, including through our public charity, RF Catalytic Capital (RFCC). For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation .
As an organization, we focus on six values to advance our culture and continue our success. We are dedicated to being Transparent, Optimistic, Accountable, Collaborative, Trusted, and Equitable. We expect all employees at the Foundation to contribute by developing their unique perspectives and talent, challenging conventional wisdom through evidence and reason, and amplifying marginalized voices.
The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, the Foundation ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status, liability for service in the United States Armed Forces, or any other protected status.
The Rockefeller Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
