IN-23024 Conservation Evidence Intern

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 combine 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.

Position Summary

WWF seeks an Conservation Evidence intern to support WWF Global Science in the development and rollout of a system designed to monitor the impact of conservation on nature, people, and climate goals around the world. Global Science works across WWF Offices and Initiatives to develop innovative approaches and apply the best available information to efforts directed at meeting the needs of both nature and people. We work collaboratively across the organization to identify conservation needs and lead regional and global analyses develop priorities and strategies for the world’s valuable habitats and species. The Conservation Evidence team within Global Science supports efforts to ensure on-the-ground conservation programs are effective and producing measurable results.

Responsibilities

Currently, there is a pressing need to understand how activities carried out at the local scale contribute to change for natural ecosystems, human communities, and climate at the land- and sea-scape scale. This has driven a call for better daylighting and integration of multi-disciplinary datasets and project-level information at the land- and sea-scape scale. However, in order to holistically integrate the impacts of place-based (e.g. protected areas, managing working lands) and systemic (e.g. inclusive conservation approaches, policy, laws, markets) interventions - we need a better understanding of what ‘counts’ as impact, what and how it is being measured and used, and what types of purposes impact monitoring data intends to inform. The output of this assessment will be used to inform a framework for integrating impact monitoring and assessment at the land- and sea-scape scale across place-based and systemic initiatives.

WWF Global Science is seeking an intern to carry out independent research focused on assessing impacts for nature, as part of this larger effort.

The intern will focus on (1) assessing the utility and relevance of existing frameworks, tools, and metrics for measuring impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity, and identifying (2) practical considerations for developing a database to gather, store, and use nature data for a range of different users at WWF. Outputs from the research will help inform the development of tailored guidance and tools for identifying key metrics for measuring impacts on biological and ecological outcomes.

This position will be supervised by the Director for Conservation Evidence and will work with a WWF consultant tasked with conducting the broader impact monitoring landscape assessment, as well as several members of the WWF Global Science team. This position is anticipated to last 6 months.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• An advanced graduate student in the field of conservation science, environmental and/or natural resource management, natural and/or physical sciences related to the environment. Those studying outside these areas are still highly encouraged to apply.
• Previous experience using synthesis methods to assess conservation impacts and/or monitoring and evaluation methods
• Excellent research skills
• Attention to detail and organization
• Self-motivated and timely
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• A commitment to the mission, goals and values of WWF

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with the research theories and tools used to study and measure change in biodiversity and ecological processes
• Experience conducting applied research
• Subject expertise in one or more of the following areas is preferred, but not required: synthesis science, ecological modeling, biodiversity monitoring

Learning Outcomes

• Applied research skills
• Knowledge of biological and ecological tools and systems for measuring and evaluating impacts
• Understanding of structure and function of an environmental non-profit organization
• Science communications
• Remote workshop planning

Location:

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

Compensation:

Paid - $20 per hour (20 hours per week)

*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-23024**
• Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

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. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.