Agriculture and Climate Finance Intern-Remote; Washington, DC; or Berkeley, CA

Who We Are:

Friends of the Earth (FOE) is a national not for profit environmental organization driven by passion for a healthier and more just world. We push for the bold reforms that are needed. It’s an approach that has worked for five decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We’re part of Friends of the Earth International, a federation of groups working in more than 70 countries on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues.

To accomplish our mission, Friends of the Earth is working at the nexus of environmental protection, economic policy and social justice to fundamentally transform the way our country and the world value people and the environment. Our current campaigns focus on promoting clean energy and solutions to climate change, ensuring the food we eat and products we use are sustainable and safe for our health and the environment, and protecting marine ecosystems and the people who live and work near them. This work is carried out by our team of staff in our Berkeley, California and Washington, D.C. offices.

Corporate-controlled, chemical intensive industrial food production is increasingly harmful to people and the planet, contributing to hunger, disease, poverty and severe environmental damage, which particularly adversely impact communities of color. Simultaneously, this “too big to fail” system leaves us vulnerable to climate chaos and other disruptions which threaten food security. A healthy future is dependent on developing an alternative, sustainable and resilient food system. This is why Friends of the Earth’s Food and Agriculture Program is working to rapidly transition our food system to one that is sustainable, healthy and just. We carry out market and policy campaigns aimed at protecting pollinators, reforming animal agriculture and reducing the harmful environmental and social impacts of industrial agriculture, while advocating for local, just, humane, organic and sustainable food production.

Friends of the Earth is committed to justice and equality. We value diversity at all levels of the organization and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We believe that a range of perspectives makes our team more creative, flexible and impactful.

What We Look For: Are you passionate about climate justice and creating a healthier and more just and sustainable food system? Are you able to support and participate in the campaign to help convince policy makers to shift public financing away from industrial agriculture?  Can you assist in conducting grassroots and stakeholder outreach to support our federal and international policy work? Are you interested in gaining valuable research skills and experience in campaign development, online and traditional media communications, corporate and non-profit engagement, and public outreach?

Does this sound like you? If so, then this is the intern position for you. This is a paid, part-time internship. Intern must be able to commit to 15 hrs/week; at the rate of $17/hour. The length of the internship is 6-9 months.

Who You Are:

Supportive Collaborator: Participate and support activities of our global Divest Factory Farming coalition meetings. Provide support for meeting and event logistics such as petition deliveries, creation of PowerPoints for webinars, meetings with policy makers, briefings, etc. Conduct research and compile relevant information on campaign targets and allies to support digital engagement campaigns. Attend coalition meetings and other relevant meetings on behalf of the campaign. Help mobilize Friends of the Earth members and campaign partners to participate in key campaign moments.

Detail Oriented: Create online and offline public outreach and engagement materials. Provide general support for digital organizing tactics including social media posts, public comments and blog posts.  Track corporate targets in the media and disseminate information to campaign members. Read and summarize key issues to better understand and compile that information to support the campaign. Ensure follow up after partner and coalition meetings.

Effective Communicator: Identify engagement opportunities, maintain spreadsheets and conduct outreach to allied organizations (especially in the US, Latin America and Europe) and other stakeholders in support of our factory farm divestment policy initiatives. Work with a wide range of colleagues in environmental, social justice, international organizations and policy arenas and have the opportunity to become familiar with how these different entities work.

Required Qualifications:

• Education and/or experience with campaigns, grassroots organizing and environmental or political work.

• A high school diploma or GED.

• Understanding of the harms of industrial animal agriculture, agroecology and other more sustainable models of agriculture, the intersection between food and climate and the connection between food justice and racial justice.

• Strong research, writing, and editing skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and basic Microsoft programs.

• A highly motivated, quick learner who is able to take initiative and work independently.

• All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. FOE does not sponsor any employment related visas.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A background in environmental issues, racial justice, international development, and public policy.

• Experience and familiarity with collecting, analyzing, and summarizing reliable research.

• Background in international policy work.

• Fluency in Spanish and/or Portuguese.

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of our staff.