IN-23017 Conservation Impact Data Intern

Overview

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Conservation Impact Data Intern. The intern will help WWF programs track progress of conservation interventions by supporting monitoring and evaluation activities including scoping, developing, and supporting systems for organizing, analyzing, and processing relevant data and indicators. This position will be part of the WWF Conservation Outcomes Monitoring Performance System (COMPS) and the Bezos Earth Fund portfolio.

These initiatives aim to help programs co-design, implement, measure progress, and adapt their work to ensure transformative impacts for nature and people and measure impact across scales. Within these initiatives, the intern will work to systematically document and inventory existing data being used to assess and measure impact within these initiatives; and develop pipelines for obtaining, validating, and reporting relevant data in a way that support Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) systems. They will also contribute to assessments and research to inform the development of impact monitoring frameworks at WWF more broadly.

The intern will have broad experience handling different types of data (including spatial and non-spatial data), awareness of methods for collecting quantitative and qualitative data for monitoring in conservation and/or natural resource management and be comfortable with using various tools and platforms for data analysis and management.

Learning Outcomes

This internship will play the critical role of unlocking data for measuring conservation progress and impact. The intern will work with both the Conservation Outcomes Monitoring Performance System (COMPS) team and teams within Global Science (Data and Technology, Conservation Evidence) thereby gaining critical skills in analyzing conservation impact. This will provide an opportunity to develop both technical and collaboration/communication skills with respect to monitoring impact and applying modern data and technology. Given the interest in this subject in the conservation sector, this internship position provides a unique opportunity to contribute to a critical aspect of conservation.

Responsibilities

Data Systems for Monitoring and Evaluation

• Develop an inventory of credible, reliable, and relevant data needed to report conservation progress and organize into a searchable database. Map this data to the WWF global objectives, targets and indicators and other indicator databases that exist at WWF.
• Develop a database of global and regional context data that is relevant to WWF MEL frameworks.
• Assist with finding, collating, and reviewing project documents, research, and frameworks to inform assessments of impact monitoring and evaluation activities

Program and Data Management

• Collaborate with teams across WWF, including cross-cutting programs on Monitoring and Evaluation and data system tasks.
• Support development of a data flow mechanism for obtaining both context and indicator data for each major WWF program area.
• Support programs in identifying credible, reliable, and relevant data that helps track progress.

Qualifications

• Experience with data analysis and other data technologies e.g., remote sensing, web services, and data visualization
• Pursuing or recently completed a graduate program in conservation or a conservation related field with emphasis on data analysis and management.
• Familiarity with global conservation issues and awareness of data and knowledge types relevant for assessing conservation (e.g. remote sensing, survey, observation data)
• Strong data analysis skills including use of programming in a language like Python, R, or SQL
• Proven knowledge of Esri software suite and/or open-source software e.g. QGIS that are capable of both desktop and cloud data analysis and management
• Interest and basic knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) for conservation
• Excellent research skills
• Attention to detail
• Organized and self-motivated
• Able to meet deadlines and strong written and verbal communication skills
• Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration:
  • Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
  • Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
  • Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
  • Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven skills in managing data for monitoring, evaluation, and learning
• Familiarity with cloud computing
• Familiarity with Google Earth Engine
• Experience programming in Python and R
• Experience with enterprise geospatial data management
• Experience with enterprise data management systems such as PostgreSQL or alternatively lightweight systems like Airtable

An advanced degree can substitute for years of experience.

*Please note that WWF does not provide VISA sponsorship to interns

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

WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.  WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page**,  Requisition #IN-23017**
• 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.