2025 Environment and Policy Internships (EPIC): World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - Green Climate Fund
Job Title: Nature-based solution for climate mitigation/adaptation Intern
Department/Team: Green Climate Fund Accredited Entity team at World Wildlife Fund (WWF-US)
Location: Remote or Hybrid in Washington, DC; Virginia; or Maryland
Duration: 35-40 hours per week for ten weeks over the summer
Reports to: Lucas Black (Vice President, Climate Finance), or Danielle Lien (Lead, Green Climate Fund Relations)
Areas of Interest: Nature-based solutions, data visualization, communications, measurement and evaluation
About the World Wildlife Fund:
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the world’s leading conservation organizations. Our mission is to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. To deliver this mission, we work to conserve and restore biodiversity, the web that supports all life on Earth; to reduce humanity's environmental footprint; and to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources to support current and future generations.
About the Green Climate Fund Accredited Entity Team:
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is one of the leading international donors for climate change projects with an average WWF GCF project value of $30-$40 million, excluding co-financing (often exceeding $100 million per project with co-financing commitments). As an accredited entity (AE) to the GCF, WWF works to bring innovative and transformational projects featuring large-scale, nature-based solutions that protect, restore and manage ecosystems to enhance adaptation and reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, as well as providing other co-benefits in the areas of biodiversity conservation.
The WWF-US GCF AE unit is the designated entity within the WWF network managing the relationship with the GCF Secretariat and all relevant partners on all projects where WWF serves as an AE to the fund. The WWF GCF AE unit is currently comprised of five dedicated staff members tasked with overseeing the development, implementation, and monitoring of GCF projects and programs and managing WWF’s relationship with the GCF, ensuring compliance with GCF policies and WWF standards throughout the project cycle. WWF currently has GCF projects under implementation in Bhutan, Colombia and Pakistan and has more than a half dozen other GCF projects in the design pipeline.
The WWF GCF AE unit operates as a WWF network service hosted within WWF-US Climate Goal Team, one of six goal teams within WWF-US collectively working to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.
Position Description/Scope of Work:
This position is designed for undergraduate students with a background in earth sciences, conservation, climate science or project/environmental management interested in shadowing the head of WWF’s Green Climate Fund unit or the team’s Relations & Implementation Oversight lead in collecting data and lessons learned from WWF’s current GCF portfolio or helping with design and research tasks related to the development of high-quality NbS for climate projects and programs in selected priority WWF landscapes and seascapes.
List of Potential Projects:
- Support the development of new and improving existing visual and written materials for internal and external presentations.
- Analyze and compile best practices and lessons learned from WWF GCF-supported projects; prepare presentations for WWF staff and partners on these lessons and impacts.
- Support the completion of the global measurement and tracking tools for WWF GCF projects.
- Collate and analyze research on best practices related to NbS for climate mitigation/adaptation for application into specific place-based projects and programs under design
- Support the strategic planning of WWF GCF AE team staff and partners through planning decision-making workshops, retreats and "gameplanning" sessions.
Desired Skills/Qualifications:
- Experience in performing qualitative or quantitative research.
- Basic knowledge of nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches to climate change mitigation and/or adaptation. Academic experience will count in-lieu of work experience.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Ability to develop PowerPoint decks using a variety of diagrams, charts, photos and visual data in a professional and timely manner
- Able to conduct themselves professionally and with discretion on sensitive matters
- Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
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Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:
- COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
- INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability, and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.
- RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
- COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.
Logistics:
- EPIC fellows are required to work full-time (35-40 hours per week) for 10 weeks over the summer, and will receive a stipend of $8,000 - $9,500, depending on financial need. This stipend is intended to help cover living and transportation expenses during the fellowship, which the student is expected to arrange and coordinate.
- Internship dates will be: June 30, 2025 – September 5, 2025
- Hybrid (Washington, DC; Virginia; Maryland) preferred. Fully remote possible with manager’s discretion.
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.
Eligibility:
Stanford undergraduates from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, and applicants may vary in academic interests, public service involvement, and experience. Learn more about our previous EPIC cohorts! Students must be enrolled for winter and spring quarters of this year and be in good academic standing to be eligible for a fellowship. Applications will only be accepted from students who will be enrolled as undergraduates for the following academic year, so unfortunately, graduating seniors cannot apply. The one exception to this rule is seniors who will be working toward a co-term degree during the following academic year. Co-term students must be in the undergraduate billing group in spring quarter. Please refer to the Haas Center for Public Service's website for additional Cardinal Quarter Undergraduate Fellowship Program Policies and Requirements.
Note: students are only eligible for one Stanford-funded full-time experiential learning opportunity during the summer, and are not permitted to engage in another full-time internship, job, coursework, or volunteer opportunity. Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own housing and transportation during the fellowship.
Requirements:
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Spring Quarter:
- Commit to working full-time (35-40 hours week) for 10 consecutive weeks
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Complete an online program orientation through the Haas Center for Public Service
- This will include designing a personal learning plan that you will share with your site supervisor and academic mentor
- Complete the Engaging in Ethical and Effective Service in-person workshop or worksheet
- Meet with your assigned Stanford academic mentor at least once prior to the start of the fellowship (more check-ins during and after your experience are encouraged)
- Attend EPIC cohort building events and activities in spring quarter, as your schedule allows
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Complete and submit all required forms and paperwork
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Summer Quarter:
- Engage in your full-time fellowship (starting no later than July 7, 2025; exact start date to be determined with your site supervisor)
- Attend EPIC cohort building events and activities in the summer, as your schedule allows
- Submit a mid-summer evaluation
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Submit a final project report, complete a program evaluation, and correspond with donor(s) as requested by program staff
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Fall Quarter:
- Debrief with your academic mentor at least once
- Attend a de-briefing meeting for the purpose of reflecting upon and evaluating summer experiences
- Participate in outreach activities to share your experiences and help publicize the program
