Ecosystem Services Internship at BirdLife Americas Secretariat

BirdLife supports its conservation efforts with scientific work on ecosystem services in order to demonstrate nature’s values for people. Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas often provide essential benefits such as food, materials, water, climate regulation and flood protection, as well as opportunities for recreation and spiritual fulfillment. Working alongside a range of collaborating organizations, BirdLife developed a toolkit of simple methods for evaluating ecosystem services at individual sites – the Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment (TESSA). The data generated by its application helps to inform local to national policy to support better biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of natural resources and improvement in livelihoods.

BirdLife International’s Secretariat for the Americas, based in Quito, Ecuador, is offering an interesting internship opportunity, working with the regional team and projects implementing TESSA all over the continent.

You will have the opportunity to be part of BirdLife’s conservation work, play an integral role in the success of the organization’s projects, and will have the opportunity to join a team of inspired and committed individuals. Also you will have the opportunity to gather profound knowledge about ecosystem services, assessment methods and will gain insight into the international conservation agenda.

Your responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

• remote assistance of partner organizations with the planning and implementation of TESSA;
• analysis and evaluation of databases;
• drafting reports;
• conduct literature reviews for example on ecosystem services assessment and evaluation methods;
• assist the planning of upcoming projects; and drafting BirdLife communications.

The ideal candidate should:

• have interest or knowledge about ecosystem services;
• have good computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• talk, read and write Spanish and English;
• be able to work at the office in Quito for a minimum of 3 months;
• be motivated to work in an interdisciplinary and international team.

Location: Quito, Ecuador

Application deadline: Friday, 31. July 2015 – 23:45

Read more and apply here.