Intern - Sustainable Livelihoods

Job Posting Organization:
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the world's leading conservation organizations, established over 60 years ago. With a mission to help people and nature thrive, WWF operates in more than 100 countries and has a membership of one million in the United States and five million supporters globally. The organization collaborates with communities, companies, and governments to achieve sustainable conservation outcomes. WWF is committed to diversity and inclusion, aiming to create an environment where various perspectives contribute to effective conservation efforts. The organization values Courage, Respect, Integrity, and Collaboration as its core principles.

Job Overview:
The internship program, known as BRIDGE, was launched in 2021 and is designed to provide paid internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, particularly those who may not have extensive professional experience or have considered conservation as a career path. The intern will work under the supervision of the WWF-US Oceans Seascapes team and in collaboration with the WWF Global Science team. The primary focus of the internship is to review evidence on sustainable livelihood interventions and document case studies of WWF's past successes and challenges in this area. The intern's work will contribute to a better understanding of how sustainable livelihoods can be effectively integrated into conservation programs, addressing issues such as resource degradation, poverty, and inequality in coastal communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for developing a typology of goals for sustainable enterprise investments in conservation. This typology will serve as a framework for conducting a rapid review of existing evidence regarding the success of conservation and development programs in achieving these goals. The intern will identify 1-2 case studies within WWF’s seascape programs to illustrate the impacts of sustainable livelihood programs. This will involve gathering and reviewing project documents, conducting semi-structured interviews with WWF Country/Program Office staff to understand motivations for sustainable enterprise investments, and assessing their perceived social and ecological impacts. The intern will also identify local actors in seascapes to explore potential partnerships and funding opportunities. Finally, the intern will summarize findings in a short report and present the results to the Oceans team and other relevant stakeholders at the conclusion of the internship.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be actively enrolled in an Associate’s or Bachelor’s program in Environmental Studies, Sustainable Development, Marine Conservation, or International Development. Those studying in related fields are also encouraged to apply. Strong reading and writing skills are essential, along with experience or exposure to conservation science, sustainable development, or related fields in economics or finance. Candidates should demonstrate interpersonal skills necessary for conducting interviews and should be proactive and communicative throughout the internship process. The ability to work respectfully in a multi-cultural environment and a willingness to collaborate across a multi-disciplinary team are also required. Candidates must align with WWF’s core values of Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration.

Educational Background:
The position requires candidates to be pursuing an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as Environmental Studies, Sustainable Development, Marine Conservation, or International Development. Students from other disciplines are also encouraged to apply, provided they have a strong interest in conservation and sustainability.

Experience:
While prior professional experience is not mandatory, candidates should have some exposure to conservation science or sustainable development, which can be demonstrated through coursework or relevant projects. The internship is particularly aimed at students who have not had extensive professional experience in the field.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for effective communication and documentation. Additional language skills may be beneficial, especially in multi-cultural environments.

Additional Notes:
This is a paid internship position, offering compensation of $20.50 per hour for full-time work (35 hours per week). The internship will run from June 16, 2025, to August 22, 202

• The position is flexible in terms of location, allowing the intern to work from Washington DC or other states, excluding Hawaii, Kentucky, Nevada, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Wyoming. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. and are not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Candidates will need to submit a resume and cover letter detailing their relevant skills, connection to nature, and any obstacles faced in pursuing a career in environmental conservation. A letter of recommendation will also be required if selected for the role.