WWF South Africa, in collaboration with various esteemed environmental organizations, presents a comprehensive range of WWF Graduate Internships for 2025. These Graduate Internships aim to nurture young professionals in the environmental sector, offering hands-on experience, mentorship, and the opportunity to contribute to significant conservation and sustainability projects.
List of WWF Graduate Internships available
1. Agricultural Scientist Internship: Living Lands, Joubertina
Description: Living Lands works across various disciplines, adapting to the needs of the community. They support farmers, implement large-scale ecological rehabilitation projects, facilitate information flow between stakeholders, and explore agricultural-ecological opportunities.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct ecological restoration and veld management.
- Engage in regenerative agriculture practices.
- Collect data and perform site assessments.
- Conduct desktop research and report writing.
- Perform GIS mapping.
Climate Change Scientist Graduate Internships
2. South African National Parks (SANParks), Cape Town
Description: SANParks manages 19 national parks, conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable use of biological resources.
Responsibilities:
- Support climate change research and management planning.
- Conduct vulnerability assessments of biodiversity.
- Monitor climate change impacts.
- Perform literature reviews and provide administrative support.
3. WILDTRUST, Pietermaritzburg
Description: WILDTRUST aims for a thriving and resilient world through its WILDLANDS and WILDOCEANS programs, balancing human impact and natural resource preservation.
Responsibilities:
- Assess threats to seasonal wetlands.
- Engage with community members.
- Conduct soil carbon assessments for potential carbon credits.
- Develop training materials and implement citizen science activities.
- Provide logistical support and team administration.
4. WWF South Africa, Cape Town
Description: WWF envisions a future where people and nature thrive, working towards net-zero emissions by 2050 through stakeholder engagement and innovative outreach.
Responsibilities:
- Facilitate interaction with stakeholders.
- Drive national ambition in energy planning.
- Conduct research and stakeholder engagement.
- Perform administrative tasks.
5. Conservation Scientist Internship: South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Cape Town
Description: SANBI manages and conserves biological diversity, contributing to national and international biodiversity management and conservation.
Responsibilities:
- Coordinate data compilation for genetic indicators.
- Analyze genetic diversity for national reporting.
- Perform species assessments and conservation monitoring.
6. TRAFFIC, Pretoria
Description: TRAFFIC ensures that wildlife trade does not threaten conservation, providing information for effective policies and programs.
Responsibilities:
- Implement TRAFFIC projects focusing on timber trade.
- Conduct timber identification techniques (DNA, DART, anatomical).
- Perform research, scientific writing, and stakeholder engagement.
7. Ecologist Internship: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Makhanda
Description: SAIAB is a leading center for aquatic biodiversity research, focusing on ecology, conservation biology, genetics, and species diversity.
Responsibilities:
- Assist with fieldwork and laboratory experiments.
- Conduct biological assessments of freshwater fish.
- Perform statistical analysis and physiology experiments.
8. Environmental Journalist Internship: Sustainable Energy Africa (SEA), Cape Town
Description: SEA supports sustainable energy transitions in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, promoting energy efficiency and access to safe, affordable energy services.
Responsibilities:
- Generate project content and manage communication channels.
- Manage websites, social media, events, media, videos, and publications.
- Prepare reports and coordinate events.
- Collect data and maintain organizational files.
9. Environmental Lawyer Internship: South African National Parks (SANParks), Cape Town
Description: SANParks manages a network of national parks, ensuring legal compliance and best practices in biodiversity conservation.
Responsibilities:
- Provide legal support for national park expansion.
- Ensure legal compliance in planning and development.
- Assist with contracting and land purchase agreements.
10. Environmental Research Scientist Internship: The Green House, Cape Town
Description: The Green House is a sustainability consulting firm specializing in life cycle assessment, carbon footprinting, and strategic energy planning.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct research-based projects involving systems modeling and quantitative analysis.
- Perform life cycle assessments and carbon footprint calculations.
- Develop sustainability strategies and analyze climate risks.
- Conduct literature reviews and provide administrative support.
Geneticist Graduate Internships
11. South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Pretoria
Description: SANBI manages biodiversity, contributing to national and international conservation efforts.
Responsibilities:
- Assist in next-generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation.
- Conduct DNA extraction, library construction, and quality control.
- Perform basic bioinformatics analysis.
12. South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Makhanda
Description: SAIAB focuses on aquatic biodiversity research, covering ecology, genetics, and conservation biology.
Responsibilities:
- Perform genomic DNA extractions from environmental samples.
- Conduct polymerase chain reactions and related procedures.
- Manage laboratory stocks and prepare solutions and reagents.
GIS Technician Graduate Internships
13. M.A.P. Scientific Services (MAPSS), Pretoria
Description: MAPSS provides environmental consulting using geospatial technology and big data analytics.
Responsibilities:
- Manage GIS databases using ArcGIS software.
- Perform GIS data management and workflow optimization.
- Engage with partners and support project implementation.
14. South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Cape Town
Description: SANBI contributes to biodiversity management and conservation, updating biodiversity indicators for national and international processes.
Responsibilities:
- Clean data and refine maps.
- Create graphs of biodiversity trends.
- Assist with data management and research.
15. South African National Parks (SANParks), Skukuza
Description: SANParks manages protected areas, focusing on geospatial data for conservation efforts.
Responsibilities:
- Manage, process, clean, and analyze geospatial data.
- Produce cartographic products and maintain web-based applications.
- Support data engineering and spatial data analysis.
16. WILDTRUST, Pietermaritzburg
Description: WILDTRUST focuses on reducing human impact and promoting sustainability.
Responsibilities:
- Identify spatial needs and support mapping and analysis.
- Produce cartographic maps and manage data.
- Contribute to report writing and project proposals.
17. Landscape Architect Internship: Greenpop, Cape Town
Description: Greenpop engages in sustainable urban greening and forest restoration projects across sub-Saharan Africa.
Responsibilities:
- Assist with planning and implementing greening projects.
- Engage with stakeholders and support garden designs.
- Monitor and evaluate project outcomes.
18. Life Science Technician Internship: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Makhanda
Description: SAIAB conducts research on aquatic biodiversity, focusing on ecology, genetics, and species diversity.
Responsibilities:
- Maintain and service acoustic receivers in the ocean and estuaries.
- Conduct acoustic tagging of fish and instrument servicing.
- Manage data and perform boat maintenance.
Marine Biologist Graduate Internships
19. South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Makhanda
Description: SAIAB specializes in aquatic biodiversity research, focusing on ecological and molecular studies.
Responsibilities:
- Assist with multidisciplinary research projects.
- Support postgraduates and scientists in various research activities.
- Communicate science findings and engage stakeholders.
20. South African National Parks (SANParks), Garden Route
Description: SANParks manages marine protected areas, focusing on marine biodiversity research and monitoring.
Responsibilities:
- Support marine biodiversity research in protected areas.
- Process data and prepare reports.
- Conduct fieldwork and provide administrative support.
21. Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town
Description: The Two Oceans Aquarium focuses on marine conservation and education.
Responsibilities:
- Manage animal husbandry and collections.
- Participate in turtle rehabilitation and marine wildlife management.
- Conduct research and environmental education.
22. Plant Taxonomist Internship: South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Pretoria
Description: SANBI manages and conserves biodiversity, focusing on taxonomy and ecology.
Responsibilities:
- Research the taxonomy and ecology of the Thesium genus.
- Care for the National Herbarium collections.
- Generate and disseminate knowledge for policy, planning, and management.
23. Policy Analyst Internship: WWF South Africa, Cape Town
Description: WWF works towards sustainable outcomes, focusing on plastic pollution and advocating for a global treaty.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct research and report on plastic pollution initiatives.
- Develop policy and advocacy strategies.
- Engage stakeholders and manage a regional database.
- Support campaigns and logistical planning.
How to Apply
- Certified copy of your ID or passport.
- Certified copy/copies of your academic transcripts only (Certificates need not be included)
- An abridged CV of no more than 2 pages.
The WWF Graduate Internships offer a unique opportunity for young professionals to gain valuable experience and make a significant impact in the environmental sector. These internships cover a wide range of fields, from agricultural science to policy analysis, providing a comprehensive platform for career development. By participating in these programs, interns will not only advance their careers but also contribute to the sustainability and conservation efforts essential for a thriving planet.
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