WWF Overview    

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Heart of Conservation Undergraduate Intern.

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.   

Context for the Internship 

The GEF-8 Heart of Conservation Initiative (HCI) is being launched at a time of profound ecological degradation and biodiversity loss driven by land conversion for agricultural and urban use, intensifying climate change-related events, direct exploitation of natural resources, pollution, and invasive species. These factors are exacerbating pressures and threats to Indigenous Peoples and local communities, their territories, lands, waters, resources, and the biodiversity they conserve. In tandem, recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ contributions to Global Environmental Benefits (GEBs), commitments to support them in securing land and tenure rights, and the use of their traditional knowledge to steward their territories, lands, waters and resources, are growing yet remain insufficient. This is resulting in Indigenous Peoples and local communities being under-supported at this important time as threats continue to grow and when their solutions are critical to achieving global biodiversity and climate goals. The GEF-8 HCI seeks to directly address this nexus of issues. 

The GEF-8 HCI’s objective is to increase resources, organizational strength, and recognition for Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ governance and stewardship of territories, lands, waters and resources to deliver global environmental benefits. This will be achieved by directing eighty percent of the project grant’s support to Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and their organizations, including for their self-determined priorities and self-strengthening activities under Components 1 and 2. 

Taking a systems change approach, GEF-8 HCI will enhance the capacities of key actors within the ecosystem of Indigenous and locally-led organizations, as well as help strengthen the overall functioning of the system of funding for Indigenous Peoples and local communities organizations, which together will promote the long-term durability of the project results.  

Position Summary  

This position will support a range of activities relating to the HCI, including supporting workflows across the project, managing expressions of interest to become partners of the HCI and undertaking research relating to Components 2-5.

The relevant responsibilities include research (30%), managing documents, event planning, logistics, and communications (70%).   

• Aid on logistics and organizations for HCI meetings and event,  
• Support the process to select Component 1 Partners,  
• Support in-depth desk research and analysis on issues relevant to Components 2-4 of the HCI,  
• Coordinate internal and external meetings    

Minimum Requirements:    

• Pursuing an undergraduate program in environmental studies, sustainability, law or similar. Those studying outside these areas are still highly encouraged to apply. Must be an actively enrolled student.
• Working knowledge and interest for learning and following the evolving space of biodiversity agenda and protected and conserved areas.   
• Strong research and analytical skills.   
• Strong organizational and communications skills, both verbal and written.   
• Ability to work both independently and manage complex projects.   
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required   
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:
  • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
  • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability, and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.
  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

Preferred Qualifications:    

• Excellent use of Microsoft products  

• Spanish speaking will be considered an advantage  

Learning Outcomes:

This position will conclude with enhanced knowledge about the Convention on Biological Diversity and the 30x30 target, the Global Environmental Facility, Indigenous Peoples and local community movements, locally-led conservation, multilateral to local funding, and OECMs, and about the related players and politics.  

• Gain experience working in a global conservation organization  

• Better understand the biodiversity international agenda  

• Hone ability to distill large amount of research into succinct deliverables   

• Develop work experience, communication, interpersonal and other critical skills necessary for job success   

Location:   

US-DC-Washington OR US Remote – WWF employs interns in all states with the exception of: Alabama, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Wyoming.   

Compensation:   

Paid - $20.50 per hour (part-time, 16-20 hours per week)   

Applications will be accepted until EOD Tuesday, June 17 at 11:59pm EDT.

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

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page,  Requisition #IN-25048
• In your cover letter, please describe your relevant skills and experience for this position and include a discussion of 1) your interest in Protected and Conserved Areas, locally-led conservation and/or conservation finance and 2) what you hope to gain from the internship.    
• Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone
• If selected for the role, you will need to provide 1 letter of recommendation as part of the WWF application process.     

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.