Intern – External Affairs | SUMMER

2025 Internship

External Affairs

If you want to drive real change, we have just the place to do it. Our Internship Program is an opportunity for you to shape Rio Tinto from the inside out. We want you to be part of our team to help take us forward by solving the emerging challenges of our time. At Rio Tinto, we believe the best ideas come from bringing people together with different perspectives to work toward a common goal – to create a better tomorrow.

This internship is an in-person opportunity, with flexibility for some hybrid, working out of our Washington, DC office.

About the role

We are offering a 3-month summer internship in the Rio Tinto External Affairs team based in Washington, DC. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to experience the dynamic working relationship between the External Affairs, Legal and Communications teams in a pioneering global resource company. The role will involve collaborating with other Rio Tinto teams and external stakeholders to assist with geopolitical research initiatives, with a special focus on US tariffs and trade. This opportunity is from May-August 2025.

• Research and writing for Rio Tinto publications and internal documents
• Monitor and provide concise updates on active political priorities, trade, USMCA negotiations & more
• Provide briefing notes on energy & other emerging policies and their potential economic impacts
• Support tasks and production of high-quality materials
• Other duties may include support functions including administrative work

What you’ll bring

• At least three years completed in a Bachelor or currently a Masters student in public policy, public affairs, economics or business administration, or related field, with preference for candidates who have completed an undergraduate degree*
• Strong written, oral, and analytical skills
• Positive mindset and keen to learn about the resource sector
• Interest in the energy sector, international economics and trade would be a strong asset
• Flexibility, Autonomy, & Self-Starter
• An organized and versatile team player with the ability to work under pressure and multitask
• Proficiency in all basic computing programs, including Microsoft Suite, especially PowerPoint & Excel

* To be eligible for this internship, you must have the right to work in USA.

What we offer

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• A competitive salary
• Ambitious, exciting, and rewarding experience

• Opportunity to build relationships with the Rio Tinto team and community
• A great chance to prepare yourself to join our Graduate Development Program

Where you will be working
This team is located in Washington, DC. They shape and monitor domestic and international politics and policy with particular focus on Canada, United States and Latin America. They collaborate with the legal and communications team to provide expert counsel and strategic advice across all commodities and Rio Tinto product groups as they navigate working in diverse local, national and international jurisdictions. The team influences aspects of external stakeholder engagement, communications initiatives, brand strategy and positioning, and media relations.

Next steps…

There’s no better time to lead this change than the leaders of the future and that starts with a graduate or vacation role at Rio Tinto. Apply today.

Please note, in order to be considered for this role, you must complete all pre-screening questions.

*Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove job postings as there is enough applicants, therefore, if you are interested in applying for this vacancy, please submit your application as soon as possible.

Finding better ways™ to provide the materials the world needs.

#Graduate

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.

We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win situations and meet opportunities.

Every Voice Matters

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQ+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V
Rio Tinto participates in E-Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.uscis.gov/ for more information.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

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