The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has announced applications for its Private Sector Engagement Due Diligence & Research Internship, offering graduate students and highly qualified undergraduate students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in corporate sustainability, environmental research, and project coordination.

Based in Washington, D.C., the internship follows a hybrid work model, requiring interns to work in the office at least two days per week.

The paid internship offers an hourly compensation ranging from USD $20.50 to $22.50 and is designed for individuals seeking practical experience in environmental conservation, corporate engagement, and sustainability research.

About the World Wildlife Fund

Founded in 1961, the World Wildlife Fund is one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, operating in more than 100 countries. The organization collaborates with governments, businesses, communities, and partners to protect biodiversity, conserve natural habitats, address climate change, and promote sustainable development.

With nearly one million members in the United States and more than five million supporters globally, WWF continues to advance science-based conservation initiatives while helping people and nature thrive together.

Internship Overview

The Private Sector Engagement Due Diligence & Research Internship plays an important role within WWF’s corporate engagement process. The selected intern will support research and due diligence activities that help evaluate potential corporate partnerships by assessing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance and identifying both risks and opportunities.

The internship also provides valuable exposure to corporate sustainability strategies, supply chain analysis, enterprise risk management, and environmental impact assessment.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will contribute to several research, coordination, and administrative projects, including:

Managing the queue of corporate due diligence research requests.
Prioritizing incoming projects alongside WWF’s Private Sector Engagement and Development teams.
Updating SharePoint databases and maintaining internal records.
Retrieving ESG due diligence reports from licensed databases.
Supporting improvements to WWF’s due diligence business processes.
Assisting with strategic enhancements to corporate partnership evaluation procedures.
Coordinating meetings with internal teams and external consultants.
Developing training materials and guidance documents for WWF relationship managers.
Conducting desktop research on prospective corporate partners.
Researching sustainability issues related to:
- Agricultural commodity sourcing
- Material production
- Corporate sustainability
- Public policy
- Environmental standards
Supporting business intelligence resources and research presentations.
Updating internal research tools, pitch decks, and training materials as needed.

Opportunity to Build ESG and Sustainability Expertise

Interns will gain practical experience using WWF’s Risk Filter Suite, including:

Water Risk Filter
Biodiversity Risk Filter

These research tools help evaluate corporate supply chains and environmental risks, providing valuable insights that support WWF’s corporate engagement strategy.

Participants will also develop a deeper understanding of:

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks
Corporate sustainability reporting
Supply chain sustainability
Enterprise risk management
Biodiversity conservation
Climate-related business impacts

Qualifications and Eligibility

WWF is seeking candidates with strong academic backgrounds and excellent organizational abilities.

Preferred qualifications include:

Graduate degree in:
- Corporate Sustainability
- Business Administration
- Natural Resources
- Supply Chain Management
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Policy
- Sustainable Development
Highly qualified undergraduate students may also be considered.
Strong attention to detail.
Excellent organizational and project management skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities.
Adaptability in a fast-changing work environment.
Proactive problem-solving mindset.
Strong communication and collaboration skills.
Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams.

Technical Skills Preferred

Applicants should demonstrate proficiency in:

Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Word

Additional preferred skills include:

R programming (RScript)
Database management
Enterprise risk management
Corporate sustainability strategy
Environmental impact analysis
Global sustainability trends

Fluency in English is required.

Internship Duration

The internship is designed as a full-time position requiring approximately 35 hours per week.

Program length includes:

Initial six-month appointment
Potential extension to one year based on organizational needs and performance

Hybrid Work Location

The internship is based in:

Washington, D.C., USA

Work arrangements include:

Hybrid schedule
Minimum of two in-office days each week

Work Authorization Requirements

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Important employment conditions include:

No employment visa sponsorship is available.
WWF does not sponsor intern visas.
Selected candidates must complete employment eligibility verification in accordance with U.S. federal law.

WWF Core Values

Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate WWF’s core values throughout their work.

These include:

Courage
Integrity
Respect
Collaboration

WWF values professionals who:

Speak up with integrity.
Accept accountability.
Welcome diverse perspectives.
Work collaboratively across teams.
Support colleagues in achieving shared conservation goals.

Why This Internship Matters

The WWF Private Sector Engagement Due Diligence & Research Internship provides an exceptional opportunity for aspiring sustainability professionals to gain meaningful experience within one of the world’s most respected environmental organizations.

Interns will work on real-world corporate sustainability initiatives while strengthening research, ESG analysis, project coordination, and business intelligence skills that are increasingly sought after across the environmental, nonprofit, consulting, and corporate sustainability sectors.

For students and recent graduates interested in conservation, environmental policy, corporate responsibility, and sustainable business practices, this internship offers valuable professional development alongside the opportunity to contribute to WWF’s global mission of protecting nature and creating a more sustainable future.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.