Assessing European Forests Intern

About the program:

Global Forest Watch (GFW) is a free forest monitoring system that provides timely and actionable information to support the sustainable management and conservation of forest landscapes. Since its launch in 2015, more than 5 million users have visited the GFW website from every country in the world. GFW is used by civil society organizations, journalists, communities, governments, and companies around the world to see where, when, and why deforestation is happening and take action to address it.

Internship Highlight:

In this role, you will explore the state and recent changes in European forests. In light of recent regulations and commitments from member states regarding protection of European forests, efforts to independently monitor forests are increasingly important. This study will begin by assessing available datasets for their utility in this context. In parallel, existing projects with relevant outputs in this space, and associated policy needs will be mapped. Following this, the aim is to identify and calculate indicators for loss and fragmentation, and proxies for the intensity of management in European Forests. Available open datasets will be used, with a specific emphasis on those available through GFW.

You will be supported by the Global Forest Watch research team, who will provide inputs into methods and approaches for the study.

You will report to Sarah Carter, Research Associate at Global Forest Watch.

What you will do:

• Map out current forest monitoring activities in Europe (funding sources, consortia)
• Identify relevant policies and monitoring needs for forests in Europe
• Assess available datasets for their utility in providing the required information on forests in Europe
• Produce consistent information across European countries on several indicators related to forest management
• Provide input related to European forests for Global Forest Watch outputs - for example the Forest Pulse article which highlights the latest on the world's forests every year.

What you will need:

• Good working knowledge of GIS software (ArcGIS or QGIS). Coding skills a plus.
• Experience of analysing remote sensing derived forest data through course work or past experiences.
• Interns at WRI Europe must be registered in a study program with a Dutch college or university for the full duration of the internship.
• Currently pursuing a degree in Geoinformation Science / Forestry or related field (graduate program preferred).
• You are proficient in spoken and written English.

Conditions of the internship:

• This is a 6-month internship with a start date of 13 March 2022
• This internship will be based at the WRI Europe office in the Hague with some flexibility to work from home
• This internship offers a reimbursement of 350 euros per month based on full-time working hours
• Interns will be provided with a laptop.

How to apply:

Please submit a resume and cover letter by 19 December 2022. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. You are encouraged to link to any relevant blogs, projects or other pieces of work that demonstrate your suitability for the internship.

About Us:

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.