Review of best practices in Human-Wildlife Conflict and Development of Web Library

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) occurs world-wide and continues to be a significant obstacle to conservation. Best practices in HWC from one geographic area are not always transferred to another area where they could also be successfully employed (e.g., successful methods of mitigating human-elephant conflict in Africa may not be implemented or even known in Asia). One or more interns will work to develop a "best practices" report for both elephants and also large felids that will promote cross-learning among field staff. Field staff will utilize the report to better mitigate HWC in their priority places. Interns will also conduct a thorough literature review of HWC and develop a digital library.

Field staff will use this library to stay abreast of the most up to date HWC research findings to better inform their conservation practices. Interns must have excellent writing and synthesis skills. Research (internet, institutional and literature) capabilities and a substantial knowledge of HWC are also essential. Field experience working on HWC is a strong plus.

Stipend: This is a paid internship.

Due date for CV and cover letter: April 1, 2008 Include: "HWC Review

Internship" in the subject line.

Contact: Shannon Barber-Meyer Shannon.barber-meyer@wwfus.org

Spatial analysis of human-wildlife conflict

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) occurs world-wide and continues to be a significant obstacle to conservation. Mitigating HWC demands better awareness and understanding of the nature and extent of the conflict. Using HWC data from areas where WWF has a field presence (possibly focused on E Africa or the northern bank of the Eastern Himalayas), one or more interns will conduct GIS analyses that examine social and biophysical factors correlated with HWC (e.g., distance to a village, land use patterns, etc.), as well as spatial and temporal trends in HWC. This mapping project will be used to better inform conservation issues surrounding HWC. Interns must have excellent analytical skills, be resourceful and creative in their work. Interns must work well independently and as part of a team. Familiarity with ArcView and ArcGIS is required. Research (internet, institutional and literature) capabilities and a substantial knowledge of HWC are also essential. Field experience working on HWC is a strong plus.

Stipend: This is a paid internship.

Due date for CV and cover letter: April 1, 2008 Include: "HWC Mapping Internship" in the subject line.

Contact: Shannon Barber-Meyer Shannon.barber-meyer@wwfus.org

Analysis of US Public Perceptions of Climate Change and Energy

Conservation organizations around the world are constantly communicating the urgency of dealing with climate change, and although we have seen some action at the state and regional level, we have seen relatively little change in the behavior of the US public in response to this threat. Dozens of organizations have surveyed public opinion on the topic, as well as assessed trends in public opinion and public actions. This internship will summarize existing literature on (a) public awareness of the issue of global warming; (b) public understanding of the causes of global warming; (c) public perceptions of the need to reduce energy consumption in their appliances and other purchases, including public awareness of the energy star program; (d) positive behaviors that have been adopted to reduce energy consumption; (e) barriers to public action to reduce individual energy consumption; and (f) public understanding of the impacts of global warming. Based on this literature review, the intern will design a set of questions that WWF should address through focus groups and surveys, in preparation for future public campaigns on climate change. Requirements: degree in a social science; familiarity with focus group and/or survey methods; knowledge of climate change science and policy; and an interest in biodiversity conservation.

Stipend: Modest stipend

Due date for CV and cover letter: April 1, 2008

Contact: Keya Chatterjee (keya.chatterjee@wwfus.org)

Species Program

Analysis of Carbon Offsets

For over a decade now companies and individuals have been taking action to go 'carbon neutral,' or 'offset' their greenhouse gas emissions. However, carbon offsets are still an extremely contentious issue in the conservation community. Whether additional emissions reductions are achieved through existing offset offerings is an open question. It is also unclear what role offsets could play in the context of a cap and trade regime, and whether they could be incorporated into a compliance framework. This internship will research case studies where WWF has been involved in 'offsetting,' review the literature for current thinking on offsets, and suggest new models for offsets to be incorporated into a climate change regulatory framework and new models for how WWF should engage on this issue; this synthesized information will be presented in a paper to be submitted for peer-review and used for other policy analysis. Requirements: degree in a social science; knowledge of climate change science and policy; and an interest in biodiversity conservation.

Stipend: Modest stipend

Due date for CV and cover letter: April 1, 2008

Contact: Keya Chatterjee (keya.chatterjee@wwfus.org)

Analyzing quantitative social data at the Landscape/Ecoregional Scale

WWF is testing a standardized approach to measuring the biological and social status of the landscapes in which it works, relying on existing data to the extent possible. Synthesizing and analyzing data at such large scales may require sophisticated statistical methods to extrapolate data from smaller scales and otherwise manipulate data collected within boundaries that do not coincide with landscape/ecoregion boundaries. This internship will involve analyzing social data from up to six landscapes and determining the methodology necessary to extrapolate and manipulate quantitative data from various sources and various scales to the boundaries of the relevant WWF geography. Requirements: graduate training in statistical methods for social analysis; strong quantitative analysis skills; conservation experience a plus.

Stipend: Unpaid

Due date for CV and cover letter: April 1, 2008

Contact: Sheri Stephanson, (sheri.stephanson@wwfus.org)

Climate Change Program

Measuring conservation outcomes: a framework for analyzing the effectiveness of large-scale interventions

WWF has adopted a standard approach to monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of its strategies. By identifying robust biological indicators, we measure the change in the key biodiversity targets included in our strategic plans. We seek to strengthen our performance measurement systems by learning from analogous sectors (e.g., development, humanitarian relief). To this end, the intern will review methodologies for evaluating large-scale interventions employed by development organizations and other relevant actors. S/he will also assess the availability of data sources on indicators broadly used by these organizations, such as data used to assess the Millennium Development

Goals. Expected outcomes include a written report of the review, recommendations for WWF, and a list of potential data sources.

Requirements: graduate training in social sciences with an interest in examining the linkages between conservation and human development; ability to work independently; strong analytical skills; and understanding of the challenges of linking conservation and development.

Stipend: Unpaid

Due date for CV and cover letter: April 1, 2008

Contact: Sheri Stephanson, (sheri.stephanson@wwfus.org)

Valuing Ecosystem Services: Non-timber Forest Products in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania

This internship would focus on the provision of NTFPs from the Eastern Arc Mountains. Bringing together relevant data on goods such as honey, mushrooms, medicinal plants, fibers, fuelwood, building poles etc... This information exists in a variety of outputs including government documents, academic literature, household surveys, and NGO reports. However this data has not been brought together and made spatially explicit - which would be the focus of this work. The driving questions for this work is where are NTFP services being produced? Where are NTFP services being utilized? What is the cost to rural households of not using NTFPs ?(i.e. what are the costs of market substitutes?) Is there an indication of time spent on NTFP collection, processing, transporting etc?

Preferred experience: ArcGIS, some social science background, some knowledge of forest ecosystems

Stipend: unpaid

Due date for CV and cover letter: April 1, 2008

Contact: Neil Burgess (Neil.Burgess@wwfus.org)

Ecosystem Services in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania: socio-economic dimensions

The focus of this work in on identifying the socio economic makeup of the people/wards/villages in the Eastern Arc Mountains. Drawing on several household budget surveys this work would help to disaggregate current TZ poverty mapping efforts and move from the large scale district mapping to a finer grained estimation of poverty. Here poverty is broadly defined, and important aspects of poverty include income, education, ownership of assets, infant mortality, food insecurity, access to fresh water, access to health infrastructure etc... Information for this is scattered, among academic articles, government reports and INGO assessments. Despite the fact that a comprehensive study is years away from reality, coordinating the existing information and making it spatially explicit will highlight gaps, and will give an indicative picture of a broad vision of poverty in the Eastern Arcs. This work will provide a critical first step in improving our understanding of the role of ecosystem services in the quality of life for people in the Eastern Arc. Preferred experience: some social science background, ArcGIS

Stipend: unpaid

Due date for CV and cover letter: April 1, 2008

Contact: Neil Burgess (Neil.Burgess@wwfus.org)

Valuing Ecosystem Services: Timber in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania

The focus of this internship is on gathering data on: timber species names, yields (actual or potential), yield curves, production costs (cutting/felling etc), commercial uses, and market prices, from existing databases, government reports and other available literature. A key goal of this work would be to put this information within a spatial context. An ideal output would be a map of timber species extraction and uses with embedded market prices as the timber goes from the forests to local or commercial uses. Through the Natural Capital (NatCap) network we have many timber species spatially referenced in eastern Tanzania. Incorporating information on market values and commercial uses would greatly enhance the next phase of this module, ground truthing and modeling economic value. A further aspect of this work would be researching to what extent timber species being used in TZ are substitutable and on what scale (e.g. can locals substitute species among uses; what happens to TZ production if the global timber market changes?)

Preferred experience: ArcGIS, some knowledge of forest ecosystems

Stipend: unpaid

Due date for CV and cover letter: April 1, 2008

Contact: Neil Burgess (Neil.Burgess@wwfus.org)

Option values of tropical forests

Option and quasi-option values refer to future benefits that are uncertain and that may be irreversibly lost subject to decisions that must be made in the present. Despite appearing highly relevant to biodiversity conservation (e.g., tropical forests are being cut down now, but we are uncertain of the benefits they may providein the future, and these benefits will likely be irretrievably lost once deforestation has occurred), there is little in the way of empirical assessment of option values in this area. The intern would conduct a literature/data search for information pertaining to option values and tropical forests. Subject to the information that is uncovered, an empirical assessment of option values for a particular area may be attempted. Requirements: Degree in environmental economics and/or significant non-market valuation experience. Familiarity with calculus, differential equations, dynamic programming, and statistical simulation methods a plus. Preference for candidates that can work independently.

Stipend: Unpaid.

Due date for CV and cover letter: April 1, 2008

Contact: Robin Naidoo (robin.naidoo@wwfus.org)

Mapping of watershed service values in the Heart of Borneo.

Economic studies on the value of watershed services have been conducted on other Indonesian islands but not on Borneo, where WWF's Heart of Borneo initiative aims to conserve the last remaining large blocks of upland forests. The intern would aid in investigating the feasibility of mapping service values to the Indonesian side of Borneo using a benefit function transfer approach. This is a desk position that will require extensive computer modelling knowledge and effort. Applicants should have in-depth expertise with GIS software, preferably ArcView and/or ArcGIS, including use of model tools, performing time-consuming calculations across large data layers, etc. Knowledge of environmental economics methods for non-market valuation, e.g., stated preference methods, hedonic pricing, travel cost, benefits transfer, etc., a plus. Strong preference for independent candidates who can work with minimal guidance and supervision. The person chosen for this positionwill have latitude to shape the direction of the work, commensurate with their skill and experience. One anticipated output is a peer-reviewed publication.

Stipend: modest stipend

Due date for CV and cover letter: N/A

Contact: Robin Naidoo (Robin.naidoo@wwfus.org)

Conservation Social Science Capacity-Building (B)

Biodiversity conservation is a social enterprise, yet social science capacity within the conservation community remains limited. This project will help WWF to build its social science capacity by disseminating current social science products, informing future program activities, and facilitating knowledge exchange between WWF, other conservation organizations, and university researchers. The project intern will develop website materials and fact sheets, organize seminars, and conduct a social science needs assessment. Requirements: degree in social science or a related field; excellent writing skills; familiarity with biodiversity conservation in developing countries. Needs assessment training or experience preferred.

Stipend: Unpaid

Due date for CV and cover letter: April 1, 2008 (include internship title and number in subject line)

Contact: Mike Mascia (michael.mascia@wwfus.org)

Conservation Social Science Capacity-Building (A)

Biodiversity conservation is a social enterprise, yet social science capacity within the conservation community remains limited. This project will build upon the work of WWF and the Society for Conservation Biology's Social Science Working Group (SCB SSWG) by developing and disseminating social science tools and resources for conservation practitioners. The project will produce an online social science glossary, strengthen the global network of SSWG Ambassadors, and enrich the SSWG website.

Requirements: degree in social science or a related field; excellent writing skills; familiarity with biodiversity conservation in developing countries. Web skills preferred, especially related to wiki functionality in ColdFusion.

Stipend: Unpaid

Due date for CV and cover letter: April 1, 2008 (include internship title and number in subject line)

Contact: Mike Mascia (michael.mascia@wwfus.org)

Spatial planning for Congo Basin Landscapes

GIS intern sought to assist with spatial planning and land use analysis for the Salonga-Lukenie-Sankuru landscape in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Salonga National Park is the largest tropical rainforest park in Africa. It hosts a large variety of species including the endemic bonobo ape and forest elephant, as well as a large and growing human community in and around the park. Spatial planning is needed to address species and human land requirements for the landscape. Decision support systems (DSS) and other modeling tools will be used to determine what habitats are threatened by human access and hunting for bushmeat, usage area requirements of certain species, and what should be specifically protected, patrolled or assigned to certain land uses to benefit local communities. Experience in ArcGIS, spatial analyst required.

Experience with MARXAN DSS, Remote Sensing, and knowledge of French a plus.

Stipend: TBD

Due date for CV and cover letter: N/A

Contact: Aurelie Shapiro (Aurelie.shapiro@wwfus.org)

GIS analysis of Conflicts

The WWF Humanitarian Partnership program is looking for a graduate intern to develop GIS maps and datasets related to international conflict, humanitarian assistance, and biodiversity. In particular, the intern will be investigating how future conflict projections may impact WWF's 19 Priority Places. The analysis will augment companion datasets on natural disasters and climate change. Experience: A pplicants should have in-depth expertise with GIS software, preferably ArcView and/or ArcGIS, including use of model tools. Knowledge and ability to access, download, organize and spatially represent databases is essential. Strong preference for independent candidates who can work with minimal guidance and supervision.

Stipend: modest stipend will be provided Due date for CV and cover letter: April 1, 2008

Contact: Jonathan Randall (Jonathan.Randall@wwfus.org)

Social and Ecological Impacts of MPAs

There exists a critical need to understand why some MPAs provide both biodiversity and social benefits and others do not. We are addressing this need in multiple ways, ranging from the general to the specific, and more than one internship might be available. Our goal is an enhanced understanding of the link between MPA governance and performance.

A specific project is an interdisciplinary analysis of data from Mozambiquen MPAs. We are working with WWF-Mozambique to consolidate and synthesize ecological and social data for this understudied region. This internship will involve analyzing and evaluating ecological, fisheries, and social data using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to identify links between MPA governance structure, human behavior, ecological performance, and social outcomes (especially poverty impacts).

The project will include drawing upon published literature, unpublished reports, and raw data from the field and will result in a peer-reviewed manuscript and internal spin-off products. Requirements: Degree in natural or social science; familiarity with MPAs. Statistics and program evaluation experience/expertise and foreign language competency

(Portuguese) preferred.

Stipend: Modest stipend possible.

Due date for CV and cover letter: April 1, 2008

Contact: Helen Fox (Helen.Fox@wwfus.org)