RFUS - 2012 Internships

The Rainforest Foundation US has a number of internships available for Summer 2012 (positions may also be available during the academic year). The positions are listed here. Most of the internships are based in NYC, with a few based in Guyana and Panama, supervised by our partners in the field. Good research, writing and communications skills are required, as is knowledge of climate change, community development, Latin America, and/or indigenous rights issues. For the internships in Panama, Spanish is required. For all positions, flexibility and a willingness to work with a small team will be critical. The internships are described below; specific requirements for each position, if any, are listed under each description.

All positions are unpaid, but we can provide support for obtaining credit or study grants you may apply for.

Office-based internships (New York City):

Research

Land Tenure and Conservation: Analysis of the cost per hectare of “protecting” land using traditional conservation strategy (parks and other protected areas) and rights based approaches (indigenous territories and sustainable reserves). This includes literature review, interviews and analysis of Rainforest Foundation projects around the world, with an initial focus on Panama, Brazil and Peru. Strong analytical skills; knowledge of economic analysis; and some background in conservation/community development required. Product: a report analyzing the costs associated with conservation strategies and rights-based approaches. Duration: 8 weeks (number of hours flexible)

Indigenous Peoples and Conservation: This project would involve a literature review on the topic of Indigenous Peoples and Conservation. Activities would involve: Research existing papers that highlight the role of indigenous peoples in forest conservation in Latin America; summarize in a few paragraphs the 15 most relevant publications; and recommend how findings could be used by the Rainforest Foundation in proposal writing and our general communications strategy. Product: An analytical report that would be comprised of two parts: 1) a summary of the most relevant findings of 15 papers on Indigenous Peoples and Conservation (annotated bibliography); and 2) key messages to be used for general communications. Good research and analytical skills are recommended. Duration: 8 weeks (number of hours flexible).

Impact Assessment Framework: In the past years organizations have been asked by their donors and supporters to evaluate the impact of their work. This internship will require two main activities: 1) Analyze how similar organizations are assessing the impact of their strategies, actions and projects and 2) Propose an impact assessment framework for the Rainforest Foundation. Strong analytical and writing skills are required, as is experience with monitoring and evaluation tools. Products: analysis of existing strategies; impact assessment framework proposal for RF-US. Duration: Minimum of 8 weeks (number of hours flexible)

Climate Change and Community Based Adaptation: Effects and responses to climate change will depend greatly on local contexts; as a consequence communities should have a voice in structuring adaptation actions. This project would entail a bibliographic review of the topic of community based adaptation. Topics such as basic concepts, tools and possible applications for national programs and policies should be analyzed as well as current cases studies. Product: an analysis and report suggesting some strategic actions for Rainforest Foundation US to work on with its partners on over the next 3 years. Duration: Minimum of 6 weeks (number of hours flexible)

Educational Materials

Informational Materials on Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change: Consolidation of a series of educational materials for indigenous communities on Climate Change and REDD for Peru and Panama. This work would entail structuring and revising existent materials. This project also entails researching appropriate materials for indigenous peoples and other forest communities. Internet research, analysis of scientific papers, review and adapt the existent Climate Change and Indigenous Rights Series produced by RFUS and Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), and interviews with indigenous and other conservation NGOs will also complement the final materials produced. Strong writing and communications skills in Spanish required. Experience with environmental education, community outreach, and/or graphic design a big plus. Product: 6 booklets designed for indigenous leaders adapted for Peru and Panama contexts, topics are: 1) how to hold workshops; 2) Basic knowledge of climate change and REDD+; 3) International Negotiations; 4) national REDD programs; 5) International and national Indigenous Rights; and 6) Social Safeguards and REDD+ based on existent materials. Duration: 8 weeks (number of hours flexible)

Organizational Strengthening Toolkit: Conduct research and literature review of relevant organizational strengthening materials (ie communications, project management, administration, etc), and help produce RF-US materials for use by indigenous and grassroots organizations. RF-US is committed to helping strengthen our partner organizations, and has used an ad-hoc collection of capacity building tools over the years. Intern will help revise materials based on other materials and best practices of other NGOs. Work will include research, literature review, revising/drafting RF-US materials, and may include further work along intern’s area of expertise – i.e. marketing, business planning, etc. Experience with community development, proposal writing, communications, marketing or strategic planning required. Products: booklets designed for workshops on financial management; long-term revenue planning; and media and advocacy. Duration: 8 weeks (number of hours flexible)

Organizational Strategies for Income Generation: many grassroots organizations are exploring ways they can generate income and sustain their organizations for the long-term, without having to depend entirely on outside sources of funding. This is a relatively new field, however, particularly among the groups with which RF-US works. This internship would include research on such initiatives in Latin America; analysis of best practices; and the development of informational materials to be used by RF-US and its partners. Strong research skills; experience in community development or business planning; knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese a plus. Products: report on existing organizational income-generation initiatives; development of a draft booklet on income generation for indigenous organizations. Duration: 8 weeks (number of hours flexible).

Field-based internships:

Wounaan/Panama: Provide technical support for community-based inventory and management/recuperation plans for plant species used in crafts by Wounaan communities in the Darien, Panama. Special focus on species used for crafts, including fibers and natural dyes. With increased sales of crafts as a source of livelihoods, there is a concern that plants used for their crafts are decreasing in number. This study would include forest inventories of specific plants and the structure of reforestation plans for some of these species. Interviews with communities and forest inventory will be used as tools to gather basic information about species habitats, biology and intensity of use. Work would probably focus on 1-2 communities, and be conducted under the auspices of the Wounaan Foundation, based in Panama City. Spanish required. Experience in community development, management planning, reforestation projects, or forestry required. Duration: 8 - 10 weeks (number of hours flexible)

Wounaan/Panama: Technical support for community-based management plans for Wounaan Collective Lands. This work would focus on organizing and conducting in collaboration with indigenous leaders a series of community meetings to gather basic information on landscape use and management. This work could include community mapping and forest mapping. Project to be conducted under the auspices of the Wounaan Foundation, based in Panama City, with substantial time spent in 1 – 2 communities. Spanish required. Experience in community development, management planning, mapping (GPS, etc), or forestry required. Duration: 8 - 10 weeks (number of hours flexible)

Amerindian Peoples Association/Guyana: Provide research and analysis of climate change instruments on the international and national levels. Project will entail research; analysis; writing of ‘plain English’ guides to relevant documents; preparation of briefing documents for APA leaders and community members; and assistance with communications and outreach on these issues to both targeted donors, multi-lateral agencies, and the general public. Project to be conducted under the auspices of the APA, based in Georgetown, Guyana, with possible travel into communities. Strong writing and communications skills required. Duration: 8 - 10 weeks (number of hours flexible)

Amerindian Peoples Association/Guyana: Provide GIS/mapping support for participatory land tenure assessment taking place. The APA will be conducting a land tenure assessment throughout Guyana in 2012, training community members to do the research and mapping themselves. Project to be conducted under the auspices of the APA, based in Georgetown, Guyana, with travel into communities. Strong GIS/mapping and communications skills required, experience in community mapping and/or participatory research a big plus. Duration: 8 - 10 weeks (number of hours flexible)

Please submit your application below and include a cover letter explaining your interest in an internship at RF-US and a resume of work experience.