Water & Climate Change
2012 WWF Social Science Internships 1-14
The following social science internships are available at World Wildlife Fund in Washington, DC. They are designed typically for graduate students, although some may be appropriate for advanced undergraduates. Projects can be undertaken over the summer (with extensions, as necessary, into the fall semester).
Most projects could also be extended over the course of one or two semesters as part of a student’s course work or thesis requirements; advance arrangements would be necessary with faculty advisors. Internships are typically unpaid unless otherwise noted, but facilities, library resources, and computers at WWF headquarters are available. To qualify for an unpaid internship, the student must provide documentation that they are receiving credit from their university, or that the work they will be performing is consistent with a course requirement.
In general, our interns need solid data management and writing skills, self-motivation, an ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Specific skills (required or preferred) are listed with each project, along with the primary contact person.
To apply, please email a cover letter and resume/CV to the contact individual listed for each project, with “INTERNSHIP” and the relevant internship number listed in the subject line.
1. Protected area downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement (PADDD) in North America (see other posting for info)
2. Protected area downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement (PADDD) in Africa, Asia, and Latin America & the Caribbean
3. Local Climate Action Assessment Intern
4. Moabi Intern
5. Climate Change & Constituency Building Intern
6. Associated Infrastructure Project Intern
7. Science-Policy Intern – Integrating ecosystem services into decision-making
8. Conservation Science Network internship
9. Fuller Science for Nature internship
10. Water and climate change adaptation intern
11. Linking Human Welfare and Conservation in Coastal East Africa
12. CSP Communications Intern
13. Reef conservation and governance database intern
14. Linking Birding to Birds
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10. Water and climate change adaptation intern
Description:
WWF’s Conservation Science Program (CSP) and Climate Adaptation Program seek an intern to assist with the ongoing development of Flowing Forward, a flexible and innovative scenario-based methodology for climate risk assessments. Initially developed in 2010, Flowing Forward is now being updated through collaborative piloting with WWF field offices around the world. There is significant interest in applying the methodology in many landscapes and project sites to help conservation practitioners and their partners better understand how these places are vulnerable to the combined impacts of climate and other development-related changes. Intern will have the opportunity to make a significant contribution towards developing the final approach; and may also assist with the development of a related diagnostic tool for assessing how water management institutions are responding to climate change-related challenges.
Potential responsibilities:
• Assist with development of a methodology for climate risk assessment
• Carry out literature review and help refine indicators of ecosystem resilience
• Carry out literature review and help refine indicators of adaptive capacity (for policies and institutions, water infrastructure, communities, etc.)
• Set up database for tracking these indicators
• Establish a monthly communications strategy to update the growing network of Flowing Forward practitioners
• Assist with development of diagnostic tool for water management institutions
The successful applicant will have an interdisciplinary background with at minimum a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy, geography, water resources management, ecology and/or related field. Position requires excellent research, writing, and analytical skills. Must be able to work efficiently and independently.
Stipend: Unpaid for university credit
Due date for CV and cover letter: March 1, 2012
Contact: Sarah Freeman, sarah.freeman@wwfus.org