Intern: REDD+, Supply Chains, and Indigenous Peoples, International Climate Program

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.”

Environmental Defense Fund’s International Climate Program seeks an intern in our Washington, D.C. office to assist with our REDD+ Policy team.  We are currently doing work focused on palm oil, soy, and cattle supply chains and their links to deforestation in Brazil and Indonesia. Linking these supply chains to Jurisdictional REDD+ is our goal. Additionally, our team 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.

Tasks will include but are not be limited to:

• Researching soy, cattle, and palm oil supply chains in Brazil and Indonesia
• Developing materials to educate policy makers on the benefits from linking jurisdictional REDD+ and deforestation free supply chains
• 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
• Create a white paper discussing how to integrate Indigenous Peoples and local communities into deforestation free supply chains and necessary financing mechanisms

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, Bhasa, and/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

Term  This is a 10-week internship.  Ideal start dates are May 12, May 19 or June 2 before the June UNFCCC negotiations.

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