Call for applications: Waste Watchers Internship Program

Are you looking for an internship that will make a tangible, sustainable impact?

Look no more: after receiving 409283498 emails inquiring about internships, we’re finally launching an internship program called Waste Watchers!

This is our response to the study that the Philippines is the third largest dumper of plastics in the ocean, and that there will be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050. That's not the future we want.

As a Waste Watcher, you will be working on a national campaign to reduce single-use plastic at source. You'll gain experience in research, campaigning, project management, and communications.

You will be working on one of the following campaigns:

Straw Wars PH: reducing or eliminating single-use plastic straws from commercial establishments

Plastic Battle: reducing or eliminating single-use plastic bottles from commercial establishments by encouraging refills for free or for a fee

Take It Topless: reducing or eliminating the use of single-use plastic lids by promoting the use of reusable tumblers

Zero Sachet PH: eliminating sachets in resorts, hotels, and hostels by promoting the replacement of complimentary sachets with refillable bottles for personal care products such as shampoo, conditioner, and soap

What you should know:

It doesn’t matter what course you’re in, what school you’re from, or where you are based. We welcome Waste Watchers from all backgrounds and all parts of the Philippines, as long as you have decent internet connection and mobile signal to communicate with us regularly. The internship is open to all (students, non-students, young professionals, et al), but we will prioritize students with required internships - only because we observed a higher drop-out rate for volunteers with no required deliverables.

This internship is output-based, which means you will not be reporting to the SPS office (we don’t have one anyway). You are not going to work by the beach or in the sea, unless you’re already based in a coastal community. There will be no coastal cleanups, or mangrove- and tree-planting activities to participate in, and no stuffing of plastics into plastic bottles (often referred to as "eco-bricks"). We're focusing on long-term solutions that prevent plastic from entering our waterways.

The internship will begin with a mentorship session with Chief Mermaid Anna Oposa and Tuki GypSEA Bryan Madera over an online call. We may also connect you to SEA Camp alumni in your city/town, if applicable. Together, we will set goals for your internship, then touch base with you on a weekly basis for progress updates.

What you may be tasked to do:

• Assess impact by contacting past partners of Waste Watch to evaluate the campaign and determine how much single-use plastic we’ve prevented from entering our seas and streets

• Research potential partners in your community to commit to the campaigns (e.g., schools, government agencies, resorts, hotels, event organizers, etc.)

• Communicate with these potential partners by writing to them or pitching the campaign in person (letter templates and presentation decks to be provided by SPS)

• Create new or improved content for our Waste Watch social media campaign

• Campaign for a single-use plastic-free lifestyle

• Mapping our partners and keying them in a digital database

• Review drafts of ordinances to reduce single-use plastic wastes at source

• Attend meetings or events on behalf of SPS

You must be:

• Passionate about reducing plastic at source. This is non-negotiable! Yung tipong nat-triggeredt ka pag may nagtatapon ng basura sa harap mo.

• Persistent. You’ll need to follow up with different business establishments via phone, email, or in person.

• Self-motivated. Since this internship is output-based, we will trust in your determination and efficiency.

• Committed. We’re hoping this is the beginning of a long-term relationship!

• Creative. We want to bring new ideas into our campaigns. Crazy ideas most welcome. Being puntastic is not required, but it’s definitely a bonus :)

• Resourceful. SPS works with very limited resources, but we take pride in being resourceful to achieve our objectives.

How to apply:

Send us your resume and a cover letter telling us (i) why you want to apply; (ii) the specific campaign/s you want to work on (e.g., Straw Wars, Plastic Battle, Take It Topless, Zero Sachet); (iii) what skills and strengths you can bring to the campaign; and (iv) what you’d like to learn. Indicate the period of your internship between May-August based on the requirements of your school. If you’re feeling extra, you can also send us initial ideas and feedback on our campaigns.

Submit it to Anna Oposa at anna[at]savephilippineseas.org and bryan.madera[at]upou.edu.ph by May 11, 2018.