BR-2517 WWF Impact Agrifood 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 – with one million members in the United States and five million supporters globally, as well as partnerships with communities, companies, and governments.    

At WWF, we are working to create an organization where the richness of all our unique views, experiences, and backgrounds combine 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 is WWF’s summer internship program. Launched in 2021, it is a paid internship opportunity aimed at a pool of talented undergraduate and graduate students who could bring fresh thinking and innovation to the environmental sector. In particular, WWF aims to employ interns who have not previously had a breadth of professional experience and have not previously considered conservation as a career pathway. 

Position Summary 

WWF Impact is looking for a motivated graduate student to support our investment team in the food and agriculture investment space. WWF Impact provides catalytic capital to early-stage food and agriculture companies to accelerate and advance WWF’s conservation goals. The intern will meaningfully contribute to the team by identifying promising trends in market innovations that shift the food systems to be more sustainable and inclusive. This will include conducting research on new agricultural market opportunities, putting together landscape analyses on subsectors in the agrifood sector, and mapping the leading innovations in specific geographies (i.e. Latin America and the Caribbean). The intern will develop skills for evaluating the conservation, economic, and operational aspects of startups and contribute to developing tools for assessing impact measurement. The intern will have the chance to work across WWF and learn the fundamentals of impact investing, early-stage companies, and the intersection of conservation & business. Successful candidates will have a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of the agrifood sector and an interest in the environment. 

Responsibilities

Internship Description: 

• Conduct research on emerging technologies and market trends in food production sectors to inform WWF Impact’s investment strategy and planning 

• Assist with the refinement of company impact evaluation and tracking tools to help with company screening during diligence and portfolio management after investment 

• Contribute to pipeline development through database management and attending screening calls with founders 

• Assist with the development of written communications and thought pieces on the role of impact investing for conservation  

• Develop opinions and share recommendations with the team based on self-directed research on impact investment opportunities within the agrifood system 

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:  

• Pursuing a graduate program in economics, business, finance, earth systems, planetary health, conservation, or agricultural science. Those studying outside these areas are still highly encouraged to apply. Must be an actively enrolled student and not received degree at time of internship start date (June 16, 2025). 

• Demonstrated interest in food and agriculture 

• Commitment to conservation and sustainability 

• Familiarity with startups, venture capital, and impact investing 

• Works well independently 

• Experience with data analysis, proficiency in Microsoft Office 

• 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:  

• Subject expertise in one or more of the following areas is preferred, but not required: 

• Interest in agricultural innovations 

• Familiarity with or experience with working on a farm or in food production/processing settings  

• Proficient researcher 

• Spanish fluency 

• Work experience and/or familiarity with the Latin American and Caribbean region 

Learning Outcomes 

• Comfort evaluating potential real-world investment opportunities in a rapidly developing investment market 

• An understanding of the potential for NGOs in impact investing spaces and ability to transform the food system 

• Deeper proficiency in using investment market research tools and in communicating the results of such research to broader audiences 

• Experience conducting interviews with experts in the agrifood system, and with early-stage founders  

WWF interns will be offered 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 staff and leadership team. 

Location: 

This position is flexible on location. The intern may complete the internship either in Washington DC or other states, with the exception of: Hawaii, Kentucky, Nevada, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Wyoming. 

Compensation: 

Paid - $22.50 per hour (full-time, 35 hours per week) 

Internship Dates: 

Internship will run from June 16, 2025 to August 22, 2025 

How to Apply: 

Please submit a resume & cover letter through our Careers page. In your cover letter, please describe: 

• Your relevant skills and interest for this position 

• Your connection to nature and the environment  

• What obstacles have you experienced trying to break into the field of environmental conservation? 

• How you could contribute to the field of conservation. 

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

Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.  In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.