IN-26033 Oceans Sustainable Blue Finance Intern

Overview:

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Oceans Sustainable Blue Finance Intern

 

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.

 

Position Summary

The WWF US Oceans Blue Finance team works at the intersection of ocean conservation and finance, helping to shift global capital flows to support the transition towards a more sustainable blue economy. The 2026 Sustainable Blue Finance Summer Intern  will support the team by conducting research on a targeted set of financial institutions’ (FI) environmental and social risk management (ESRM) practices and policies across key ocean industries such as shipping, offshore wind (OSW), and seafood, building on a body of FI policy analysis work WWF has led since 2022.Through this work, the intern will assess how closely financial institutions’ current efforts align with best practice (e.g. as defined by the UNEP FI sustainable blue economy finance principles and associated guidance), and will contribute insights that directly inform WWF’s engagement with the financial sector. In addition, as time allows, the intern will provide programmatic support for the design and launch of a new digital tool WWF and partners are developing - Seafood Finance Navigator – an online platform that will consolidate seafood finance resources to build the finance sector’s capacity to contribute to global nature-positive oceans.  

 

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.  

Responsibilities:

With oversight and direction from the Program Officer, Ocean Markets and Finance, the 2026 
Sustainable Blue Finance Summer intern will undertake the following types of work:  

 

1. Research: Conduct desk research (with potential for interviews with key stakeholders) on the 
business case for sustainable blue finance in the shipping and OSW sectors. 
2. Policy analysis: Review the annual reports, sustainability reports, sustainable finance 
frameworks, ESRM policies, and other publicly available documents for a pre-selected target 
group of FIs financing clients in the shipping, OSW, and seafood sectors, to benchmark current 
industry practice against a pre-developed “best practice framework”, and identify trends and 
opportunities to enhance these frameworks and policies. 
3. Financial product analysis: Market research to support an update to an existing global inventory 
of blue finance products (blue bonds, sustainability linked loans, debt for nature swaps, etc.) 
relevant to shipping, OSW, and seafood, and analysis of current market best practice, and key 
enabling factors to support/incentivize greater blue product uptake (e.g. regulatory, market, 
other drivers)  
4. Project management support: Support partner (internal and external) coordination on the 
early-stage design and development of the Seafood Finance Navigator. This may involve 
administrative support (meeting coordination, note taking, identification of next steps and 
responsibilities) as well as content support (drafting of web text, design review, etc.). 

Learning Outcomes: 

1. Research and analysis: Especially related to sustainable finance, environmental and social risk 
management and associated policies, the blue economy, innovative sustainable finance 
products. 
2. Interdisciplinary communications: Through this work, the intern will have the opportunity to 
present complex ideas across different audiences through internal meetings. 
3. Exposure to the breadth of the WWF US Oceans work: The intern will gain exposure to a variety 
of other teams at WWF such as: Ocean Markets, Blue Foods, Area Based Conservation, Ocean 
Communications, Private Sector Engagement, Climate. Additionally, the intern may have 
additional opportunities to engage with external WWF partners to enrich their understanding of 
the conservation NGO landscape.  

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements:

Only enrolled students are eligible for this internship as you must be able to receive academic credit from your current academic institution. Able to work either part time or full time, depending on class schedule and availability.

• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:
  • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
  • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability, and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.
  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

*Please note that WWF does not provide VISA sponsorship to interns 

 

Compensation: 

Unpaid. For all unpaid internships, applicants must be enrolled in school and be able to obtain academic course credit from their university. 

 

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page,  Requisition #IN-26033
• Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.   

Protects endangered species and conserves nature through science-based projects.