Global Engagement Communications Intern

Environmental Defense Fund; Washington; Hybrid; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Environmental Defense Fund seeks a fall 2026 intern to join the Global Engagement & Partnerships (GEP) communications team. The role offers remote work with an option to join an EDF office in Washington, DC, and supports multilateral communications, social content, and event coordination.

The intern will assist with writing, editing, design, and monitoring public content across platforms while gaining exposure to policy-focused advocacy and cross-cultural engagement.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a communications, marketing, environmental studies, journalism or a related undergraduate degree program and demonstrated interest in climate advocacy.
• Coursework in strategic communications, public relations, writing, digital or social media marketing, or graphic design recommended.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in posting content across various social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok).
• Basic knowledge of graphic design preferred.
• Video editing experience a plus.
• Must be well organized, motivated, and detail oriented.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a team setting and have the ability to work independently when projects are due.
• Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.
• Demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Support communications alignment, coordination, and event tracking for EDF and the GEP mission area’s multilateral priorities in the lead-up to COP31 UN climate conference.
• Support the communications team’s writing, editing, designing, securing approval for, publishing, promoting and monitoring performance of public-facing content with nuanced messages under tight time constraints.
• Materials include social media posts, web content, and other Multilateral content.
• Support event planning, coordination and logistics for the GEP team’s virtual, hybrid and in-person events.
• Lead competitor analysis research for the GEP team’s social presence; identifying opportunities to connect with key audiences and expand reach.
• Participate in advancing EDF Organizational Effectiveness and Culture goals so people from all backgrounds feel connected, included, and empowered to address challenges in ways that align with EDF values.

Skills

Excellent written and oral comms

Social media posting proficiency

Video editing experience

Graphic design basics

Multitasking and deadline skills

Education

Undergraduate degree in communications/marketing/environmental studies/journalism (or related)

Tools

Video editing software

Graphic design tools

Job description

EDF internships provide high-quality experiences (including relevant projects and opportunities for networking) that form the foundation for any individual who is serious about pursuing an environmental career.

Location

U.S. Remote withoptionto be hybrid out ofan EDF office inWashington DC.Intern supervisorand GEPMarCommcolleagues are located on the west coast, with the majority of GEP Mission staff located in Washington DC.

Term

Fall 2026

Hours

Part-time (20hr/week)

Application Materials

Interested applicants should attach their cover letterand resumeto the EDF application.

Program/DepartmentOverview

EDF’s Global Engagement and Partnerships (GEP) team facilitates EDF’s global presence, advocacy, and policy work, while also building strong relationships with stakeholders worldwide, working to ensure that EDF’s activities and communications are culturally relevant and effective. The GEP team coordinates EDF’s engagement in key international fora like the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other UNspaces, andserves as an institution-level coordinator for EDF’s partnerships with key multilateral stakeholders. GEP team members undertake original research and publish in peer-reviewed journals; participate in and regularly give presentations to international negotiators, representing EDF and broader NGO coalitions; and develop and present materials in a wide range of settings including multilateral meetings with governments, civil society organizations, corporations, and other stakeholders around the world.

Overall Function

Theintern will be a critical member of EDF’s GEP communications team within the Marketing & Communications (MarComm) department. The intern will gain in-depth knowledge of communications strategies and tactics, with firsthand experience supporting theMarCommteam in contributing to EDF’s goals in the multilateral policy arena. They will support the coordination and internal tracking of EDF’s participation at Multilateral events, media opportunities, and announcements. This role includes leading competitor research analysis, social media contentcreationand promotion; and event planning and support.

The intern will report to the Communications Specialist and coordinate closely with other members of the Global Engagement & Partnerships communications team, Global Engagement & Partnerships mission area staff, and the Marketing & Communications department.

KeyResponsibilities

• Support communications alignment, coordination, and event tracking for EDF and theGEPmission area’smultilateral prioritiesin the lead-up to COP31 UN climate conference.

• Support the communications team’s writing, editing, designing, securing approval for, publishing,promotingand monitoring performance of public-facing content with nuanced messages under tight time constraints. Materials include social media posts, web content, and other Multilateral content.

• Support the event planning,coordinationandlogisticsfor theGEPteam’s virtual,hybridand in-person events.

• Lead competitor analysis research for the GEP team’s social. presence;identifyingopportunities to connect with key audiences and expand reach.

• Participate in advancing EDF Organizational Effectiveness and Culture (OEC) goals so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.

Qualifications

• Enrolled inacommunications, marketing, environmental studies,journalismor a related undergraduate degree program anddemonstratedinterest in climate advocacy.

• Coursework in strategic communications, public relations, writing, digital or social media marketing, or graphic design recommended.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Proficiencyin posting content across various social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok).

• Basic knowledge of graphic designpreferred.

• Video editing experiencea plus.

• Must be well organized, motivated, and detail oriented.

• Ability to multi-task,prioritizeand meet deadlines.

• Ability to work in a team setting andhave the ability towork independently when projects are due.

• Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders acrossallcultures and backgrounds.

• Demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills.

Compensation

This internship would involve compensation for work paid at a rate competitive with leading non-profits at $18/hour or the local minimum wage if it exceeds $18/hour.

Learn more about internships at EDF -http://www.edf.org/environmental-careers/internships