BR-2211 Climate Risk Management And Resilience Undergraduate Intern

Overview

WWF Overview

For 60 years, WWF has worked to help people and nature thrive. As one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, WWF works in more than 100 countries, connecting cutting-edge conservation science with the collective power of our partners in the field – more than one million supporters in the United States and five million globally, as well as partnerships with communities, companies, and governments.

Our vision for diversity, equity and inclusion at WWF is an organization as diverse as the world we protect; where the richness of all our unique views, experiences, and backgrounds combines to create the most sustainable and inclusive conservation outcomes possible — bringing the greatest benefit to the planet and every person who lives on it.

Across the many cultures and individuals that represent WWF, we are unified by one mission, one brand, and one common set of values: Courage, Respect, Integrity and Collaboration.

Internships at WWF

WWF’s internship program vision is to recruit professionals early in their careers who bring fresh thinking and innovation to the environmental and conservation sector and are well positioned to develop into the next generation of leaders. Our mission is to increase exposure of students from underrepresented populations to conservation and environmental careers, provide professional development opportunities, reduce the barriers to attracting a diverse pool of internship candidates, and develop a pipeline for future WWF hires from underrepresented populations.

Position Summary

WWF seeks an intern to provide research and communications support to the Climate Risk Management and Resilience team for the SIPA and ALIGN projects (explained further below). Part of the larger climate team, our team plays an instrumental role in guiding country offices in the transition from traditional conservation and development approaches to those that are pragmatic under a changing climate. We work across a range of countries and ecosystems to incorporate climate-smart conservation principles and climate risk management strategies into WWF’s conservation portfolio. The intern would support two projects in particular, described below.

SIPA (“Sustainable Infrastructure Program in Asia”), an IKI funded project that began implementation in late 2021 by a consortium of partners led by OECD, aims to encourage the transition towards cleaner energy and transport systems through better alignment of infrastructure investment projects in Central and Southeast Asia with the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. WWF US, WWF Indonesia and WWF Philippines work collaboratively on the mainstreaming resilience in strategic infrastructure planning, together with government partners and key stakeholders to identify areas of important natural capital and the ecosystem benefits that contribute to climate resilience for people and infrastructure. As countries design recovery plans to address impacts of the COVID crisis, there is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build back better and tackle the triple challenge of closing the infrastructure gap, stimulating a resilient recovery while reaching long-term climate and development goals.

ALIGN (Asia’s Linear Infrastructure safeGuarding Nature), a USAID funded project that will begin implementation in 2022, aims to enhance development and implementation of effective, high-quality safeguard measures to avoid, lessen and/or mitigate adverse impacts from linear infrastructure development on people and natural resources in Asia, targeting transportation- and energy-related linear infrastructure. The Climate Risk Management and Resilience team will collaborate with WWF US’s Sustainable Infrastructure team, as well as with partner organizations in India, Mongolia and Nepal, on strengthening natural resource safeguards to increase the long-term sustainability and resilience of linear infrastructure in these countries, supporting healthy and prosperous communities and conserving the abundant biodiversity upon which Asia’s future depends. 

Responsibilities

Internship Description

The intern will be tasked with contributing to ongoing research and communications efforts under the SIPA and ALIGN projects. The specific focus of the assignment will be tailored to the intern’s experience and professional interests. Key responsibilities may include:

• Unique science and policy research on nature-based solutions and their integration into development planning in five Central and Southeast Asia countries (Indonesia, Philippines, Nepal, India, and Mongolia), with results summarized in a presentation(s) and short report.
• Develop communications materials to synthesize existing project efforts that contribute to capacity building/training programs and workshops for assessing nature-based solutions under alternate climate change and infrastructure development scenarios in target countries.
• Support workshop planning and coordination logistics, including organizing agendas, communicating invitations to participants, and other tasks assigned.
• Participate in the conceptualization and operationalization of climate resilience and safeguards approaches for project activities.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Pursuing either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree program in environmental science, conservation biology / ecology, environmental engineering, environmental policy, or other relevant natural science. Those studying outside these areas are still highly encouraged to apply.
• 3 years of undergraduate education, with relevant courses in environmental science and/or conservation biology / ecology.
• Excellent research skills
• Attention to detail
• Organized and self-motivated
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Able to work both independently and in a team setting
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:

• Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
• Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
• Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
• Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

Preferred Qualifications

• The ideal intern would possess good base knowledge of conservation practice, including concepts like ecosystem services and climate adaptation
• The ideal intern should display deep interest on climate change and sustainable development.

Learning Outcomes

• Critical knowledge on climate-smart conservation, including on nature-based solutions, ecosystem services, climate adaptation and resilience, sustainable infrastructure, environmental and social safeguards, etc.
• Strong applied research skills
• Effective writing and science communication skills for target audiences
• Professional experience in international conservation practice, including programmatic work in the Asia region
• Introduction to tools and software used in conservation planning, like InVEST
• Further development of communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, collaboration and organizational skills critical for job success.

WWF interns will be provided a set of professional development opportunities, aimed at increasing their exposure to conservation and sustainability careers. This includes:

• Development discussions with their manager;
• Up to two online courses through Cornell University’s eCornell program;
• Speed mentoring sessions;
• Opportunity to present their work to intern peers and WWF staff;
• Session on resume and interviewing best practices.

Interns will also have access to an array of networking opportunities. This includes meetings with WWF’s CEO, the senior management team, Employee Resource Groups, and representatives from other departments.

Location:

US Remote – WWF employs interns in all states with the exception of: Alabama, Arkansas,  Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Compensation:

Paid - $16 per hour (35 hours per week)

Internship Dates:

Internship will run from June 13 to August 19, 2022

How to apply: Please submit a resume & cover letter through our Careers Page, Requisition #BR-2211. If selected for the role, you will need to provide 1 letter of recommendation as part of the WWF application process.

* Please note that intern must have U.S. work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa.

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.