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.

2009 WWF Spring Internships

The following internships are currently available at the World Wildlife Fund – United States for the Spring Semester. Internships are typically unpaid unless otherwise noted. To qualify for an unpaid internship, the student must provide documentation that they are receiving credit from their university.

To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to the contact listed for each project with “INTERNSHIP” listed in the subject line.

Conservation Strategy & Science

 1. Title: Business & Industry Intern

Description: Market forces are a major driver of global environmental change. WWF constructively engages corporations that impact our priority places and that play a major role in associated markets and commodities. The Business & Industry (B&I) Intern will plan, implement, and communicate research related to key business sectors. Based on research on key sectors and priority places, the intern will work to develop strategies for engaging business sectors. The B&I Intern will help to put these strategies into operation by efficient capturing and sharing of information across a broad network of WWF programs and offices. Candidates must be self-starters who can work independently, have good online research skills, strong English writing skills, coursework related to business, economics, and environment, and skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point. Candidates should demonstrate an interest in WWF’s mission and the role of business in protecting the environment

Stipend: Unpaid + small stipend

Due date for application: Dec. 8, 2008

Contact:  sheri.willoughby@wwfus.org  - (email applications only, no calls)

2. Title: Conservation Leadership Programs (CLP) and Conservation Science Programs (CSP)

Description: CLP and CSP help build capacity for conservation in developing countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America by providing scholarships and grants that support academic degrees and research and short-term training.  CLP/CSP seek a part-time or full-time intern, ideally with an interest in Latin America and protected areas and/or tiger conservation in Asia. The intern will assist with several projects, including projects that support capacity building for protected area management in the Andes-Amazon region, support capacity building for tiger conservation, and increase exposure for the CLP/CSP fellowships and other program components. Intern responsibilities include, but are not limited to designing and distributing materials for small grants/fellowship programs, identifying US and European experts in protected area management and assisting with an expert exchange program, and establishing searchable online databases. These projects will involve collaboration with other WWF departments, field offices and local organizations. In addition, interns will assist with researching, writing and editing sections of EFN News, the semi-annual newsletter of the CLP program. Minimal administrative tasks will be required such as filing, scanning documents, photocopying.  International students and/or students with strong Spanish skills are encouraged to apply.

Stipend: Unpaid

Due date for application: N/A

Contact: Andrea Stauffer (andrea.stauffer@wwfus.org) or Andrea Santy (andrea.santy@wwfus.org)

3. Title: Hawaiian Fish Recruitment Internship

Description: Our main question is: do oceanographic or meterological features correlate with larval fish recruitment?  This project would involve working with data from the West Hawaii Aquarium Project (WHAP) and NOAA, with the goal of having a manuscript to submit at the end of the internship (initial analyses have been completed). Strong literature review and writing skills required; statistical skills and familiarity with marine protected areas and/or fisheries preferred.

Stipend: None

Due date for application: N/A

Contact: Helen Fox (Helen.Fox@wwfus.org)

4. Title: Information Management Internship

Description: This project will engage two different programs with different needs:  our Latin American and Caribbean Secretariat’s Forests program and our Humanitarian Partnerships program. The information management intern will work closely with the WWF librarian and program staff to develop a database for cataloging the programs’ collections.  The intern will conduct a full project cycle, including requirements analysis, basic architectural design, reconciliation with existing WWF tools, and final design and implementation.  Time permitting; the intern will also assist program staff with initial population of the database. Candidates must have knowledge of MS Excel and Access, HTML/XML (including RSS), Cold Fusion; database architecture and design; familiarity with copyright law. Spanish proficiency and familiarity with MARC and Dublin Core a plus.

Stipend: Unpaid

Due date for application: N/A

Contact: Dawn Pointer McCleskey (library@wwfus.org)

Field Programs

5. Title: Agriculture Program Internship

Location: New Mexico or surrounding states: West Texas, Colorado, or Arizona

Description: The World Wildlife Fund seeks an intern to assist in a study that examines the current state and prospects of the New Mexico Dairy industry. The intern will work with WWF’s Director of Livestock to undertake a study of the New Mexico Dairy industry to identify and communicate the key environmental, social and economic impacts of the dairy industry, specifically within the Chihuahua Desert Ecoregion. The assessment will provide an overview and analysis of the existing situation and suggest necessary management changes in the dairy industry within the Southern and Eastern New Mexico, and West Texas areas. The study will also show how the industry is likely to affect critical habitats and ecosystems in WWF’s priority areas in order to inform and guide the development of measurable improvements through the implementation of BMP’s (better management practices) in conjunction with partnering organizations. Candidates must be able to, under the direction of the Director of Livestock, visit dairy and other farms within the southern and eastern New Mexico region. Candidates should be comfortable and capable of discussing issues with farm managers in person, within the region and possess a basic understanding of environmental and agriculture issues or have a desire to learn about key issues. Candidates must also be able to analyze and communicate complex environmental issues in the form of written and verbal communication to the Director of Livestock.

Stipend: Unpaid except for a small stipend

Due date for application: N/A

Contact: Kevin Ogorzalek (kevin.ogorzalek@wwfus.org)

6. Title: Facilities & Administration and Humanitarian Partnership Internship

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. Through this partnership WWF and the American Red Cross have developed considerable knowledge as to what activities, strategies, and training can help to make communities more environmentally sustainable during the disaster recovery and reconstruction process.  We are now in the process of developing a Green Recovery and Training Toolkit (Toolkit) to capture and further develop this learning.   One chapter of the Toolkit will provide guidance on reducing personal and institutional environmental footprint based on the WWF institutional greening methodology and practices past, current, and future. As a department, the Facilities & Administration team integrates environment, sustainability and function for WWF-US Headquarters office located in Washington DC. The Intern will research and document institutional greening tools and techniques and help collect, organize and document WWF’s past and ongoing institutional greening practices to create a WWF Green Standard Operations Procedures (SOP) manual. The intern will also work with HP to apply the WWF SOP manual to the HP training toolkit for wider application to other organizations and countries.  A Bachelor’s degree is required with related background experience in any combination of environmental or conservation sciences, design, building sciences or architecture.  Work in the non-profit sector is desirable. Candidates must have excellent research and written/ oral communications skills, strong computer skills, especially Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel and strong organizational skills.

Stipend: Unpaid

Due date for application: December 4, 2008

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

7. Title: Intern in the Russia liaison program, Alaska Field Office

Location: Anchorage, Alaska

Description: World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the global conservation organization, seeks an intern for the Kamchatka/Bering Sea Ecoregion to assist with planning, coordination, communication, and outreach for selected projects in the Bering Sea, Alaska and the Russian Far East related to fish and wildlife issues. The Russian program intern will work closely with the Alaska Field Office staff to advance Russia-US conservation projects. The work will include communication with Russian partners and assisting project managers with developing a joint US-Russia strategy. Areas of work will include Arctic conservation, marine mammal protection and fisheries. The position requires broad knowledge of wildlife populations and management in the Arctic, including marine mammals, seabirds and fish.  Opportunities will be provided to develop independent projects in pursuit of academic credit, with approval of advisor. We are looking for a student pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental policy, or related field. Candidates are expected to have excellent communication, writing and organization skills. Fluency in Russian and English is required. Experience in Russia and/or former USSR countries is a strong advantage but not required.

Duration: 35 hours per week for a period of up to 6 months ending by June 30, 2009.

Stipend: Paid -WWF provides a stipend to cover living costs and travel costs to/from Alaska if an intern is coming from another state.

Due date for application: N/A

Point of contact for applicants: Tatjana Gerling (tatjana.gerling@wwfus.org)

Market Transformation

8. Title: Global Forest & Trade Network: Communications Internship

Description: The Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN), WWF's initiative to eliminate illegal logging and improve the management of world's valuable and threatened forests, seeks a graduate student majoring in journalism, communications, or a related field. GFTN’s intern will be assigned to work on a development of program materials and a series of articles and press materials, as well as the continued research, development and maintenance of a trade media database and global forest communications contact list. In addition, the intern will be asked to maintain and update quarterly statistics for the GFTN newsletter and factsheet as well as other communications tools. Ad hoc assignments will also be given including some administrative tasks. Experience: The ideal candidate must have an excellent writing skill in both academic and professional writing; possess excellent oral communications skills, an aptitude for research, 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. Academic or professional experience and knowledge of media and effective media relations is preferable.

Stipend: Unpaid

Due date for application: N/A

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

9. Title: Markets Research and Development 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 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. This internship opportunity will assist that effort. As of autumn 2008, we have identified many global companies and markets that WWF could engage.  The work is now focused on developing an understanding of those companies, trends in specific markets, and determining which actors should be prioritized. Interns will research and expand our knowledge of private and public global companies working in each of the strategic sectors, commodities and markets we have identified. They will 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. Interns must be self-starters who can work independently or as a team, have good research skills, knowledge of databases and attention to detail. Familiarity with economics, business, markets and their environmental impact is helpful; skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point are necessary.

Stipend: Unpaid

Due date for application: N/A

Contact: Jeff Malcolm (jeff.malcolm@wwfus.org)

Operations

10. Title: Sustainable Reporting

Description: This project will play an important role in helping World Wildlife measure its environmental footprint. The overall goal is to compile, assemble, organize, and report WWF’s footprint information using the Global Reporting Initiative (www.globalreporting.ortg) and GHG Protocol (www.ghgprotocol.org) as the framework. The complete project will involve five phases of development.  Depending on availability, this position may be involved in one or all of the phases—from stakeholder engagement, through report design, to report release. We are seeking a person who can assist with development of templates and process flow that will be utilized in future cycles for the capture and reporting of information. Candidate may be an undergraduate or graduate student. Prefer candidate with areas of interest in Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability, Total Cost Accounting, or Supply Chain Management. Proficiency in Excel and Access desired.

Stipend: Unpaid

Due date for application: N/A

Contact: Grant Baldwin (grant.baldwin@wwfus.org)

11. Title: World Wildlife Location Database

Description: WWF, in conjunction with its designated travel agency, is designing an interactive web portal that will provide our internal travelers with information on office locations, approved lodging, safety, security, travel tips, carbon reduction strategies, and policy guidance. This project will gather data about WWF locations and provide the travel agency’s programming staff with the content to populate in to the web site.  Information will be obtained through contacting staff at WWF offices, interviewing frequent travelers, and content as directed by the Director of Sustainable Sourcing.  This project may also include developing online access to carbon footprint scorecards for employees and departments. The ideal candidate may be an undergraduate or graduate student.   A travel savvy person with writing skills is preferred.  This position will be writing the copy for WWF’s internal travel guide.  A broad knowledge of geography, languages, and cultures is desired for this project.

Stipend: Unpaid

Due date for application: N/A

Contact: Grant Baldwin (grant.baldwin@wwfus.org)

Policy

12. Title: U.S. Government Relations

Description: The U.S. Government Relations Department of the World Wildlife Fund is seeking an intern for policy research, analysis and outreach. Research and analysis will entail working with legislation, regulations, and potentially court cases. Research and analysis will also include assessment of government agencies' roles, policies and positions in issues relating to WWF's mission. Outreach will entail covering congressional hearings and markups, and preparing and attending congressional and administrative briefings. Subject matter will cover many of the issues in which WWF is involved, including biodiversity conservation (e.g., endangered species and habitat protection), natural resource management (e.g., fisheries, forestry and agriculture), climate change, and energy (biofuels). Required qualifications include: interest and studies in government, law, policy and/or science; excellent writing skills.

Stipend: Unpaid

Due date for application: N/A

Contact: Catherine Kozak (catherine.kozak@wwfus.org)