International Climate Intern — Washington, D.C.

Organization: Environmental Defense Fund

Job Title: International Climate Intern, Amazon Basin Project

Location: Washington, D.C.

Hours and Compensation: This is a 35-hour/week, 10-week internship. This internship is eligible only for academic credit.

Application Deadline: Feb. 8, 2013

Position Dates: Start date negotiable, but ideally could start before the June UNFCCC negotiations.

Posted On: Jan. 28, 2013

Organization Overview

With world attention focused on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. This leading green group, founded in 1967, has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches. You can be part of a vibrant workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives, talents and contributions, where innovation and a focus on results are a way of life. With programs from Boston to Beijing, Environmental Defense Fund has become what The Economist called “America”s most economically literate green campaigners.”

Description

Environmental Defense Fund”s International Climate Program seeks an intern in our Washington, D.C. office to assist with our REDD+ Policy team, particularly on the Amazon Basin Project. The Amazon Basin Project works with Indigenous Peoples (IPs) to help them understand the potential benefits of REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), and helps to provide information so that IP groups can make decisions at the UNFCCC and at the country level. It also helps IPs to draft contracts, proposals, and other documents with outside collaborators. The intern would work with the Amazon Basin Project Manager, the REDD+ Project Manager and their partner organizations to help with, among other things, the production of materials for presentations to Indigenous communities on the potential benefits of REDD. 

Responsibilities

• Researching current deforestation monitoring systems and developing ideas for integrating IP teams to monitor those systems.
• Working with EDF staff to develop materials for training sessions for Indigenous Peoples in the Amazon basin.
• Investigating grant opportunities and writing drafts of grant proposals for further Indigenous Peoples work in the Amazon.
• Monitor blogs and postings on REDD+ while helping to write blogs and policy positions.
• Monitor the UNFCCC negotiations and other international forums where REDD+ policy is being developed such as the FIP, FCPF, UNREDD, and REDD+ Partnership.
• Research emerging REDD+ projects to determine the level of Indigenous participation in their design, including benefit-sharing structures.
• Provide support to the team in the Congressional appropriations process for Sustainable Landscapes and other related programs.
• Conduct research to determine what USAID and other US government agencies are doing to implement REDD+ on the ground.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in environmental science, international relations, public policy, or related fields. Depending on ability, higher levels of work will be given (grad student versus undergraduate or recent grad).
• Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese, preferred.
• Experience living and/or working abroad, preferred.
• Highly proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other software applications.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interface well with all programs/departments in the organization and to represent the Climate and Air team in a highly professional manner.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Must be well organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a team setting and have the ability to work independently when projects are due.
• Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills. Solid experience with computer spreadsheets.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should send their cover letter and resume no later than February 8, 2013. Due to the volume of employment applications and queries received, EDF is unable to respond to each application individually. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate. Environmental Defense Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer.