Sustainability Research Graduate Intern

Overview

WWF 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 combines 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.

BRIDGE – Building Relationships, Inclusivity, Diversity, Growth, and Excellence

WWF’s diversity-focused internship program, BRIDGE, aims to recruit professionals early in their careers who bring fresh thinking and innovation to the environmental and conservation sector and are well positioned to develop into the next generation of leaders. Our mission is to increase exposure of students from underrepresented populations to conservation and environmental careers, provide professional development opportunities, reduce the barriers to attracting a diverse pool of internship candidates, and develop a pipeline for future WWF hires from underrepresented populations.

Position Summary

WWF seeks a Sustainability Research Graduate Intern on the Private Sector Engagement Division (PSE). This internship provides an opportunity to improve research and project coordination skills in a professional setting, gain knowledge about companies, supply chains,  environmental issues, and contribute to WWF’s mission. The intern will work closely with members of WWF’s Private Sector Engagement team. The work will involve research on the impacts of agricultural commodity production and sourcing regions, and assist with analyzing environmental, social and business risks within the supply chain of WWF partner companies. In addition, there will be research projects focused on industry analysis to support WWF corporate engagement strategies. The internship also provides the opportunity to interact with representatives from US & European companies as well as WWF’s global network.

Responsibilities

Internship Description:

• Research of production practices of agricultural commodities and the socio-economic state of the countries from which they are produced.

• Assessment of environmental, social, economic and supply risks associated with commodity sourcing.

• Market research of priority industries for WWF corporate engagement.

• Creating reports and presentations based on these analyses.

• Identifying new data sources and ensuring high data quality.

• Interfacing with a database of commodity and geographical information.

• Coordinating with other members of the WWF Private Sector Engagement and various WWF teams including the execution of meetings with internal and external stakeholders.

• Other tasks as assigned to support departmental goals.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be an actively enrolled student and not received degree at time of internship start date.

• Pursuing a non-doctoral Graduate program in a field such as natural resources, environmental science, supply chain management, agricultural systems, business, finance, marketing, economics or sustainable development. Those outside of these fields are still encouraged to apply.

• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills.

• Ability to work productively on independent research assignments and as part of a team.

• Proactive problem-solving and good communication skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Power Point and Word).

• Fluency in English.

• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and 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:

• Experience with managing research projects and working with external partners.

• Demonstrated familiarity with agriculture, retail/food sectors, finance, corporate sustainability, business, and/or economics.

• Familiarity with other programs (e.g. GIS, reference management software) and/or programming experience.

• Knowledge of a foreign language (e.g. Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, or Chinese).

Learning Outcomes

• Deeper understanding of corporate sustainability trends.

• Deeper understanding of environmental and social risks in corporate supply chains.

• Experience working in a multi-national organization on global issues.

• Develop technical research and report writing skills and experience.

• Develop presentation experience.

• Build professional network in the international NGO and business communities.

WWF interns will be provided a set of professional development opportunities, aimed at increasing their exposure to conservation and sustainability careers. This includes:

• Development discussions with their manager;
• Up to two online courses through Cornell University’s eCornell program;
• Speed mentoring with different WWF teams;
• Opportunity to present their work to intern peers and WWF staff;
• Session on resume and interviewing best practices.

Interns will also have access to an array of networking opportunities. This includes meetings with WWF’s CEO, the senior management team, Employee Resource Groups, and representatives from other departments.

Location:

US-DC-Washington or US-Remote: WWF employs interns in all states with the exception of: Alabama, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Wyoming.

Compensation:

Paid - $21 per hour (full-time, 35 hours per week)

Internship Dates:

Internship will run from June 5, 2023 to August 11, 2023

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume & cover letter through our Careers Page**, Requisition# BR-2330**. In your cover letter, please describe your relevant skills and experience for this position and include a discussion of 1) how you have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and 2) what you hope to gain from the internship.

If selected for the role, you will need to provide 1 letter of recommendation as part of the WWF application process.

* Please note that intern must have U.S. work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa.

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.

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.