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WWF International expanded its global Youth Engagement Programme (YEP) for 18–30-year-olds in 2024. The Programme, which provides internships, youth-led grassroots leadership programme and virtual mentorship opportunities, aims to inspire a new generation of environmental advocates and leaders, especially young women, in their countries and communities to actively contribute to youth and community-led conservation and help drive positive change.

WWF is an independent conservation organisation, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. From individuals and communities to business and government, we are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. Together, we seek to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable. WWF has been working in Thailand since 1983 and established a country office in 1995. Our work in Thailand includes wildlife, fisheries, forest, and landscape conservation, as well as efforts to reduce marine plastics.

I. MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT

The Dawna–Tenasserim Landscape (DTL) is a priority conservation area of national and regional importance, characterized by high forest cover, globally significant biodiversity, and strong interlinkages between ecosystem integrity and local livelihoods. The landscape is home to many indigenous and local communities who depend on forest and natural resources for subsistence, income, and cultural identity. As such, effective conservation in DTL requires strong community-based natural resource management, meaningful participation, and long-term trust between conservation actors and local people.

WWF Thailand has been working in DTL for many years to promote rights-based conservation approaches, sustainable livelihood development, and Conflict Coexistence (C2C) strategies to reduce human–wildlife conflict while supporting community well-being. These efforts are implemented in close collaboration with communities, government agencies, and civil society partners, and are guided by WWF’s Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF), including principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), grievance redress mechanisms, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. 

Despite the growing recognition of the role of women and youth in conservation, young women from local and underserved communities remain significantly under-represented in conservation programmes, technical training opportunities, and professional career pathways. Structural barriers, including limited access to education, financial constraints, and social norms, often restrict their participation in decision-making processes and employment within conservation initiatives. This not only limits individual opportunities, but also reduces the diversity of perspectives and leadership that are essential for sustainable and socially just conservation outcomes. 

Through the WWF International Youth Engagement Programme (YEP), this internship seeks to directly address these gaps by providing structured, paid, and mentored professional experience for young women within an active conservation landscape. The placement will enable the intern to contribute meaningfully to community engagement, safeguards implementation, and field-based conservation activities, while simultaneously developing technical skills, leadership capacity, and professional networks. This approach aligns strongly with WWF’s Gender, Equity, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) commitments and contributes to the organisation’s long-term objective of building diverse and inclusive conservation leadership. 

Furthermore, the project contributes to WWF Thailand’s broader strategy on inclusive conservation and supports regional learning under the WWF Mekong Regional Gender Programme by demonstrating practical models for integrating gender-responsive approaches at landscape level. By strengthening the role of young women in frontline conservation work, the internship supports intergenerational knowledge transfer, enhances local ownership of conservation initiatives, and helps build a sustainable pipeline of future conservation professionals from within the communities most directly affected by conservation interventions.

II. MAJOR FUNCTIONS

• Implement community-based conservation and livelihood support activities in priority forest landscapes
• Promote inclusive conservation through GEDSI-responsive approaches
• Support conflict coexistence (C2C) and human–wildlife conflict mitigation
• Strengthen safeguards, FPIC processes, and grievance mechanisms at community level
• Coordinate with government agencies, CSOs, and local partners for landscape-level conservation
  

III. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support community engagement activities, meetings, consultations, and training sessions in project areas
• Assist in documentation of safeguards-related activities, including FPIC processes and stakeholder engagement records
• Support GEDSI-sensitive participation of women and youth in project implementation
• Assist in field coordination, data collection, basic monitoring, and reporting
• Support preparation of activity reports, photo documentation, and learning materials
• Participate in WWF and YEP onboarding, training, mentoring, and evaluation activities
• Comply with WWF Code of Conduct, safeguarding policies, and Health, Safety and Security procedures

IV. PROFILE

Required Qualifications

1. Mandatory Criteria
   • Female, aged between 18–30 years at the start of internship.
   • Thai nationality, preferably from local or underserved communities. 
   • Interest in conservation, community development, or environmental issues.
   • Willingness to work in rural and forest areas and travel to field sites.
   • Basic English communication skills (for YEP meetings and reporting). 
     
2. Desired Qualifications
   • Background in environmental science, social science, forestry, or related fields. 
     
   • Experience in community activities, volunteering, or student leadership. 
     
   • Basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel, email). 
     
   • Ability to work respectfully with diverse cultures and communities. 
     
3. Core Competencies
   • Strong motivation and learning attitude. 
     
   • Teamwork and communication skills. 
     
   • Cultural sensitivity and respect for community norms. 
     
   • Commitment to WWF values and Code of Conduct.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong motivation and willingness to learn
  
• Good communication and teamwork skills
• Cultural sensitivity and respect for community norms and diversity
  
• Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, email)
  
• Ability to work responsibly under supervision and follow safety instructions

V. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal:

• DTL Project Manager and field staff
  
• Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESSF) Lead 
  
• GEDSI and programme technical staff
  
• People & Culture (P&C) team for administrative and welfare support

External:

• Indigenous and local community members and youth groups
  
• Local community leaders and committees
  
• Government field officers and local partners
  
• Civil society organizations involved in community conservation activities
  

Application Deadline: 18 February 2026

VI. HOW TO APPLY

• Download and fill in an application form: Internship Application Form - WWF YEP
• Motivation letter – [Your motivation to apply for this position - max word limit 500 words]
• CV with a photograph
• Details of two references [Professional and Personal - Share details: Name, Designation, Organization, Email address, Contact details (mobile and/or landline number), Relationship to the referee]
• Send email to hr.th@wwf.or.th

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the responsibilities that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.

WWF is an equal-opportunity employer and has a genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion. We encourage candidates of all cultures, genders, abilities and experiences to apply.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive recruitment experience for everyone. If you need assistance with your application, or a reasonable adjustment to the recruitment and selection process, please let us know at any point during the recruitment process. We are particularly keen to hear from female candidates and people living with a disability from local indigenous underserved communities who are often underrepresented in conservation. 
WWF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with our values, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. WWF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all candidates. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to our values, code of conduct, network protocols, policies and safeguards.   
For more details on our values, Courage, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration, log on to the link mentioned below: https://wwf.panda.org/discover/about_wwf/our_values/