IN-13014 -Water Stewardship, Market Transformation Intern

I. Major Function

The goal of WWF-US is to measurably conserve 19 of the world’s most important natural places and significantly change global forces to protect the future of nature by 2020. The Market Research and Development team along with the Business and Industry team support this goal by researching markets and companies that have an impact on markets, priority places and priority species, and making recommendations for strategic engagement.

One of the cross cutting issues addressed by the Markets team is freshwater stewardship. As part of the Alliance for Water Stewardship, WWF is helping to develop the first ever International Water Stewardship Standard (the Standard) that aims to recognize and reward business and water service providers who take effective action to reduce the impacts of their water use. The developing Standard is designed to interact and build upon other commodity and industry standards, water initiatives and operate in a variety of regulatory environments.

The fall water stewardship interns will conduct an analysis of relevant water reporting requirements on a national level (specifically in proposed countries of US, Australia, China, India, Mexico or Chile and perhaps Europe’s regional regulatory environment). These findings will then be compared to the requirements of the Standard, showing how the Standard overlaps with existing requirements and highlighting any gaps. For example in the US, the intern will identify relevant water policy and regulations (including the Clean Water Act, Farm Bill, SEC reporting requirements, etc). The requirements of such will then be mapped against the Standard in a gap analysis with the end goal to understand how an International Water Stewardship Standard interacts with and could help deliver on existing reporting requirements in efforts to increase interoperability and efficiency.

The interns will be based in Washington DC and must receive academic credit. Interviews with WWF field offices and other relevant organizations will be required.

II. Potential Duties & Responsibilities

• Research national, regional and sectoral water policy and regulations for a select group of countries;
• Produce an output showing relationship between this research and the Standard;
• Develop and maintain a reference system for your findings;
• Other assignments as required.

III. Working Relationships

1. Internal: Work closely with the WWF-US Freshwater team and the Alliance for Water Stewardship secretariat.

2. External: Interview and interact with other NGOs, experts in the field, consultants, and universities as needed.

IV. Minimum Requirements

Education/Experience: Applicants should be receiving course credit for a graduate (preferably law) degree program. Other work experience and skills are a plus.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Self-starter who can work independently or as a team
• Strong research and interview skills
• Knowledge of the international regulatory environment
• Experience researching national and international water regulations and policy
• Fluent in English (spoken and written)

Preferred Qualifications

• Law, water or policy background
• Knowledge of reporting processes for businesses/water service providers
• Experience researching national legislation and regulations
• Experience analyzing disparate data sources or gap analyses
• Proficiency in Chinese, Spanish or Hindi to facilitate national research is a plus

V. Compensation, Term

Compensation: Unpaid graduate internship for academic credit with small stipend from Alliance for Water Stewardship.

Term: Part-time, Fall or Winter 2012 semester. Flexible on start and end dates.

Minimum 15 hours/week.

VI. To apply:

Email Nicole Tanner (nicole.tanner@wwfus.org) your resume and cover letter. Position will remain open until filled.