World Wildlife Fund

WWF offers a limited number of internship opportunities. The availability of internships is often dependent on funds that become available from grants or donor sources. The bulk of our internships are conservation / research based and will be targeted toward undergraduate or graduate students in environmental / conservation related majors. Occasionally, internships are also available for students in marketing, communications, accounting, law, government policy or other business related majors.

When available, paid internships may be posted on the WWF Job Board under the job title “Intern” and the specific requirements will be noted in the job posting.

Students interested in paid internships must post to the specific internships they are interested in. If selected for an internship, transportation and local housing will be the responsibility of the student.

The WWF Job Board has a “Job Agent” which enables interested candidates to receive an E-mail when a specific job becomes available. Students interested in internship opportunities should visit our website at http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/careers/jobs.html and register through the “Job Agent” using the key word “Intern”. All resumes posted to specific internship opportunities are reviewed and the most qualified candidate will be selected.

WWF also offers a number of unpaid internships. These internship opportunities are listed below and posted / announced at several universities with which WWF has an ongoing relationship. Students seeking unpaid internships must receive academic credit from their universities.

2010 WWF Internships

The following internships are available at the World Wildlife Fund – United States. They are designed typically for graduate students, although some may be appropriate for advanced undergraduates. Projects can be undertaken over the summer (with extensions, as necessary, into the fall semester).

Most projects could also be extended over the course of one or two semesters as part of a student’s course work or thesis requirements; advance arrangements would be necessary with faculty advisors. Internships are typically unpaid unless otherwise noted, but facilities, library resources, and computers at WWF headquarters are available. Hours are flexible. To qualify for an unpaid internship, the student must provide documentation that they are receiving credit from their university, or that the work they will be performing is consistent with a course requirement.

In general, our interns need solid data management and writing skills, self-motivation, an ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Specific skills (required or preferred) are listed with each project, along with the primary contact person.

For more information on WWF’s Conservation Science Program, www.worldwildlife.org/science/; on WWF’s Climate Change Program, http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/ ; on the Natural Capital Project, http://www.naturalcapitalproject.org; and on WWF’s Species Program, http://www.worldwildlife.org/endangered/

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume/CV to the contact individual listed for each project, with “INTERNSHIP” and the relevant internship number listed in the subject line.

Marketing

1. Title: Creative Services Intern

Description: World Wildlife Fund, the global conservation organization, is looking for a photo/video intern to create news B-Roll packages, digitize and archive footage and photos, and support productions and post productions in other capacities. Requires 1 year practical or professional training in Photoshop and Final Cut Pro. Coursework in documentary filmmaking preferred. An interest in environmental conservation is a plus.

Stipend: Unpaid - For mandatory credit

Duration: Spring Semester (3-6 months)

Contact: Christopher O’Leary (christopher.oleary@wwfus.org)

Market Transformation

1. Title: Global Forest & Trade Network: Research Internship

Description: The Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN) is WWF's imitative to eliminate illegal logging and improve the management of world's valuable and threatened forests. By facilitating trade linkages between companies committed to achieving and supporting responsible forestry, the GFTN creates market conditions that help conserve the world's forests while providing economic and social benefits for the business and people that depend on them. GFTN is currently working with over 360 companies in over 34 countries world wide.

GFTN’s intern will be assigned to work on a variety of research topics including latest developments in illegal logging, international and bilateral trade trends of forest products and country specific forest management and trade statistics. Ad hoc assignments will also be given including some administrative tasks.

The ideal GFTN candidate is pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in environmental studies, forestry, natural resource management, international development, alternative market mechanisms, or sustainable development. The candidate should have a strong interest in conservation and the mission of WWF. Ideal candidate must have excellent research skills especially in gathering and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data. Experience gathering data on illegal logging, forest product trade, general forestry related issues, and market trends is preferred. Qualified interns must have excellent professional writing skills and the ability to work under deadlines. The candidate is expected to work independently, but must be able to effectively communicate with colleagues around the globe. Candidates pursuing a graduate degree or with academic or professional experience and knowledge of responsible forest management and trade are preferable.

Stipend: Unpaid - the intern will receive academic credit through his/her university for their work.

Duration: Spring Semester, 15-20 hours per week.

Contact: Hisayo Fujikawa (Hisayo.fujikawa@wwfus.org)

2. Title: Research Intern, Business & Industry

Location: Washington, DC

Description: The goal of WWF-US is to measurably conserve 19 of the world’s most important natural places and significantly change global forces to protect the future of nature by 2020. The Business & Industry unit at WWF works to develop and maintain relationships with businesses to: improve business practices, reduce their environmental footprint, bring sustainable products to market, and through these efforts help WWF achieve its conservation goals.

WWF constructively engages corporations that impact our priority places and that play a major role in associated markets and commodities. The Business & Industry Intern plans, implements, and communicates research related to key business sectors and corporations, and contributes to the knowledge and ongoing work of the Business & Industry unit. The intern may also help with analyses and projects related to specific corporate partnerships.

Interns will work closely with Business & Industry staff, the WWF-US Markets unit and the Market Transformation Network Initiative, and may also interact with external experts and consultants. This internship provides an opportunity to improve research skills in a professional setting, gain knowledge about companies and environmental issues, and contribute to WWF’s mission.

Applicants must be receiving course credit (e.g., Independent Study) for an undergraduate or graduate degree program. Good online research and organizational skills are a must. Coursework related to business, economics, and environment and other work experience are a plus.

Duration: At least 20 hours/week for 10-12 weeks during Winter/Spring semester

Stipend: Unpaid; small stipend

Due data for application: December 13, 2009

Point of contact for all applicants: send cover letter and resume by email to Sheri Willoughby (Sheri.Willoughby@wwfus.org).

3. Title: Intern, Market Transformation Research and Development

Description: The goal of WWF-US is to measurably conserve 19 of the world’s most important natural places and significantly change global forces to protect the future of nature by 2020.  The Market Research and Development team supports this goal by researching markets and companies that have an impact on markets, priority places and priority species and making recommendations for strategic engagement. As of autumn 2008, we have identified many global companies and markets that WWF could engage.  Our work is now focused on developing an understanding of those companies, trends in specific markets, and determining which actors should be prioritized.  Intern will research and expand our knowledge of private and public global companies working in each of the strategic sectors, commodities and markets. They may also develop the supply chain of commodities and products impacting priority places; assist in knowledge development and database creation for strategic engagement of companies, commodities and sectors; and carry out targeted research on selected companies or industries. Interns must be self-starters who can work independently or as a team, have good research skills, knowledge of databases and attention to detail and currently enrolled in a graduate-level program. Familiarity with economics, business, markets and their environmental impact is helpful; skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point are necessary. Intern must receive course credit. 

Stipend: Unpaid. Must receive academic credit.

Duration: Spring Semester

Due Date for Application: September 15, 2009; Include “Market Transformation Fall Internship” in the subject line.

Contact: Nicole Tanner (nicole.tanner@wwfus.org)

4. Title: Agriculture Department Web Page Design Internship

Description: The goal of WWF-US is to measurably conserve 19 of the world’s most important natural places and significantly change global forces to protect the future of nature by 2020. This internship opportunity will assist the Markets department with this effort by assisting with the creation of internal websites that assist with communications across departments and countries and by working with WWF to develop a database Access program to assist with monitoring and evaluation.

The majority of work for this internship will be assisting with the creation of a database that uses MS Access. Another important project will be supporting the finalization of internal Sharepoint pages. The former will include understanding database systems and the goals of WWF, while the latter will require assisting with the design of an aesthetically appealing web page and imbedding RSS feeds, charts and data on commodity markets into a functioning format.

Requirements:

• Applicants must be receiving course credit for an undergraduate or graduate degree program
• 15-20 hours a week for a minimum of 10 weeks
• Good communication skills, attention to detail are obligatory
• Familiarity with MS Access, SharePoint, HTML code, or other programming and web page applications is preferred
• Knowledge of business and the environmental and interest in stock markets is helpful

Contact: Please send a resume and cover letter to Jeff Malcolm no later than December 1^st, 2009. Jeff.malcolm@wwfus.org

5. Title: WWF-US Agriculture, Water & Geography Internship

Description: The goal of WWF-US is to measurably conserve 19 of the world’s most important natural places and significantly change global forces to protect the future of nature by 2020. The Agriculture department of the WWF-US supports this goal by engaging companies on agricultural production methods and standards, procurement issues, supply chain structure, etc. This internship opportunity will assist the Agriculture department with this effort and provides an opportunity to improve research skills in a professional setting, gain knowledge about companies and environmental issues, and contribute to WWF’s mission.

The majority of work for this internship will be assisting with analyzing water risks and potential issues within procurement areas for WWF partner companies’ supply chains. This will include researching forecasts of water availability, aquifers, evapotranspiration rates, etc in selected geographies. The intern will assist both with the collection of data and creating reports based on the data.

Requirements:

• Applicants must be receiving course credit for an undergraduate or graduate degree program.
• 15-20 hours a week for a minimum of 10 weeks (a longer time period, potentially through the summer is preferred)
• Good research skills, attention to detail are obligatory;
• Familiarity with agriculture, water regulation, economics and the environmental is helpful;
• Skills in Excel, Power Point and Microsoft Word and obligatory; other programs (e.g. GIS) are helpful.

Contact: Please send a resume and cover letter to Jeff Malcolm no later than December 1^st, 2009. Jeff.malcolm@wwfus.org

6. Title: Forest Carbon Intern

Description: World Wildlife Fund, the world’s leading conservation organization, is looking for an intern to work in the dynamic new field of Forest Carbon. Forest Carbon is an innovative new financing mechanism which has the potential to revolutionize forest conservation. Forests have a vital role to play in the fight against climate change, being the largest terrestrial store of carbon and the third largest source of carbon emissions after coal and oil. Deforestation is estimated to be responsible for 18% of current greenhouse gas emissions . In addition, forests have significant economic and ecological value as a provider of ecosystem services, being home to much of the world’s biodiversity and supporting the livelihoods of over 1 billion of the world’s poorest people.

The intern will be assigned to work on a variety of qualitative and quantitative research topics and literature reviews for this fast-paced new field. In addition, they will maintain and update various position statements and policy briefs. Ad hoc assignments will also be given including some administrative tasks. Qualified candidates must be self-starters who can work independently or as a team. Applicants must receive course credit for the internship from an undergraduate or graduate degree program. Excellent writing and research skills, attention to detail, proficiency with MS-Word, MS-Powerpoint, and MS-Excel are required. Knowledge of finance, climate change, and the environment is preferred.

Stipend: Unpaid - For mandatory credit

Duration: Spring Semester, 15-20 hours a week for a minimum of 10 weeks

Contact: send a resume and cover letter to Kaveesh Nath by December 1^st, 2009 Kaveesh.Nath@wwfus.org

Humanitarian Partnerships

1. Title: Humanitarian Partnerships-SPHERE Revisions Intern

Description: World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Humanitarian Partnership program has been asked to be the focal point for the Environment/Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change (CC) components of the SPHERE revision process. Sphere is the primary reference handbook of minimum standards in the international humanitarian aid industry and the revision process is an opportunity to mainstream environment/DRR/CC issues in humanitarian aid. WWF-US is currently seeking a graduate intern with a background in humanitarian aid, conservation and/or development to aid in the SPHERE revision process. The Humanitarian Partnerships-Sphere Revisions Internship is a wonderful opportunity for a student interested in issues pertaining to and integrating humanitarian aid/conservation/disaster risk reduction/climate change. The intern will have the opportunity to contribute to the groundbreaking incorporation of environmental considerations into the SPHERE guidelines and participate in a pioneering program at WWF that is building the connections between humanitarian and environmental issues. A Bachelor’s degree is required with related background experience in any combination of environmental or conservation sciences, humanitarian aid and/or development. Experience in the non-profit sector is desirable. Must be currently enrolled in a relevant graduate degree program.

Stipend: Unpaid (school credit only)

Duration: Spring Semester

Due date for CV and cover letter: 1, 2009; Include: “Humanitarian Partnerships-Sphere Revisions Internship” in the subject line.

Contact: Bethany Shaffer (Bethany.shaffer@wwfus.org)

2. Title: Humanitarian Partnership- Green Recovery and Reconstruction Toolkit Intern

Description: World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Humanitarian Partnership program (HP) works with the American Red Cross in the areas impacted by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The goal of the Humanitarian Partnerships Program is to ensure that recovery and reconstruction efforts include environmentally sustainable considerations. To reduce risk and vulnerability and achieve long-lasting results for affected communities, the relief, recovery and reconstruction process should be comprehensive and include a 'design through implementation' approach to ensure restoration of water and sanitation, shelter, livelihoods, protection of natural resources, and strengthening of communities against future disasters.

WWF and the American Red Cross are developing a training toolkit to equip field staff working in humanitarian aid, government, and conservation with practical, solution-oriented techniques for integrating environmental sustainability into disaster recovery and reconstruction. The major duties of the internship include helping research and collect relevant data and practices that will be integrated into the GRRT and organizing, editing and compiling data and information. Major duties include collecting, analyzing and compiling data on the cross-cutting issues of environment and humanitarian integration and sustainable development including disaster risk reduction and climate change; drafting case studies or language for individual modules; assisting with database, research or documentation of the Green Recovery Program M&E plan; and assisting with writing and editing, as well as coordination of expert peer reviews.

A Bachelor’s degree is required with related background experience in any combination of environmental or conservation sciences, humanitarian aid and/or development. Experience in the non-profit sector and experience in communications, writing, and/or journalism also desirable. The candidate must possess excellent analytical, critical thinking, research and written/ oral communications skills and strong computer skills, especially Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel. A working knowledge of conservation, humanitarian aid, and/or environmental policy is required.

Stipend: Unpaid, school credit only (Must be currently enrolled in a graduate degree program.)

Duration: Spring Semester

Due date for CV and cover letter: 1, 2009; Include: “Humanitarian Partnerships-Sphere Revisions Internship” in the subject line. Include: “Humanitarian Partnerships-Sphere Revisions Internship” in the subject line.

Contact: Bethany Shaffer, Program Associate, Humanitarian Partnerships (Bethany.shaffer@wwfus.org)

Science

1. Title: Protected Area Degazettement, Downgrading, and Downsizing (PADDD) - Africa Internship

Description: Conservation policy assumes that protected areas are 'forever', but reality suggests otherwise. World Wildlife Fund – US (WWF-US) is systematically investigating patterns, trends, and causes of protected area degazettement, downgrading, and downsizing, and their implications for the sustainability of conservation efforts. WWF-US is currently seeking a currently enrolled graduate student to conduct an internship to investigate PADDD in Africa. The successful candidate will identify and explore PADDD in Africa by drawing upon existing datasets (e.g., UNEP-WCMC); popular, gray, and peer-reviewed literatures, and personal communication. Outputs include map and graphs of PADDD patterns and trends, as well as statistical analyses identifying predictors of PADDD. Results will be published in the peer reviewed scientific literature and shared widely across the conservation community. These outputs will inform conservation policy and practice by providing a scientific assessment of PADDD; allow conservation decision-makers to identify potentially "at risk" protected areas; and potentially inform REDD negotiations regarding the appropriateness of REDD funding to support forest protected areas.

Requirements: Current enrollment in a graduate degree program in the social sciences, natural resources management/conservation, or related; strong research skills; proficiency in French, Arabic and/or Portuguese; and familiarity with GIS and statistical software. Preference will be given to applicants for whom this research could serve as the foundation for a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation. This position requires eligibility to work or study in the United States.

Duration: This is an unpaid full-time position, up to six months, based at WWF-US headquarters in Washington DC.

Deadline for Applications: please submit a CV and cover letter by November 15, 2009

Contact: Please contact Sharon Pailler at Sharon.pailler@wwfus.org for more information.