Senior Project Officer (Wetland Conservation) - WWF India

JOB DESCRIPTION

Senior Project Officer - Wetland Conservation

World Wide Fund for Nature-India, Bharatpur, Rajasthan

1. POSITION VACANT: Senior Project Officer – Wetland Conservation, World Wide Fund for Nature-India, Bharatpur, Rajasthan

2. ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND: 

World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF India) was established as a Charitable Trust on November 27, 1969, to further the mission of stopping the degradation of the planet's natural environment and building a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. Rechristened the World Wide Fund for Nature-Indiain 1987, WWF-India has over 40 years of experience in this field.

A constructive, science-based organization, WWF-India, in keeping with the tenets of its parent organization, addresses issues like the survival of species and habitats, climate change and environmental education. Over the years, its perspective has broadened to reflect a more holistic understanding of conservation issues facing the country.

WWF-India would like to hire conservation professionals for its flagship wetland conservation project at Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan.

For further details about WWF-India, please visit http://www.wwfindia.org

3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

WWF-India recognized Keoladeo National Park (KNP) in Bharatpur, Rajasthan as a priority wetland and has been involved in conservation and management of the Park since 1994 with support from D. Swarovski & Co. Over the past decade and a half, WWF-lndia has been implementing the 'Water for Life' programme in Bharatpur to ensure long term conservation of KNP for the benefit of people and nature. The programme has three pillars: Water Schools (reaching out to about 100 schools), Policy Research & Advocacy, and Direct Action (with stakeholders on water conservation). The programme has recently expanded to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan and entering a new phase, which will consolidate the actions and lessons from the experience thus far and move to new directions and geographies in the face of emerging challenges.

Key Responsibilities:

(1) Programme Management: Overall coordination of WWF-lndia's Wetland Conservation Programme in Bharatpur, including programme administration and finance;
(2) Developing Wetland Conservation Strategies: Collaborate with multiple stakeholders (Government - local, District and State; communities and others) to develop and implement strategies to ensure the long term conservation of KNP and associated satellite wetland, to meet project objectives and to benefit target species and local communities;
(3) Programme Implementation: Liaise with multiple stakeholders- communities, Government and others, to implement water conservation activities in the catchment of the wetland to ensure water security or the wetland and people. Manage human & financial resources to undertake relevant research (technical and socio-economic studies to help design a participatory wetland conservation plan) and field activities leading to implementation of water conservation activities in the catchment as well as in the wetland;
(4) Water Education: Coordinate and implement WWF-India's Water School Programme with the objective of influencing knowledge, behavior and attitudes of stakeholders towards water and wetland conservation, leading to promotion of sustainable water management practices. In this regard, liaise with Education Department, Forest Departments and other line departments of Government of Rajasthan, to mainstream water education in the State curriculum;
(5) Communications, Outreach and Policy Advocacy: Design and implement  communications and outreach strategies to generate awareness, build capacity and change attitudes to generate support for wetland conservation. Work with multiple stakeholders including Government to develop and implement a sustainable water security plan for the Keoladev National Park;
(6) Networking: Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders at the local, district and state level and the donor;
(7) Documentation & Knowledge Management: Liaise with media and other relevant institutions to share case studies and success stories in order to maximize the visibility of the programme;
(8) Routine Project Management: Undertake standard project management tasks as required, including team and performance management, preparation of budgets and work plans, and completing timely reports to donors and WWF senior management;
(9) Representation: Represent WWF-India in various conferences, meetings.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES: 

Qualifications:
Applicants must possess advanced degree in biology, ecology, environmental sciences, natural resources management, or related field.

Experience:
(1) Must have a minimum of seven years of related experience;
(2) Familiarity with conservation issues, particularly those related to wetland and its biodiversity is desired. Demonstrated ability to identify wetland birds by sight is essential.

Skills and Competencies:
(1) Excellent interpersonal skills - ability to motivate people to action. Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team;
(2) Knowledge and appreciation of the participatory approaches to conservation;
(3) Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English and Hindi are essential;
(4) Ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information for a non-technical audience, with effective communication skills reaching target audiences.

5. COMPENSATION OFFERED:

The gross remuneration budgeted for this position is attractive. Please note that offers shall be commensurate with the qualifications, experience and salary history of the selected candidate and the overall WWF-India salary structure. WWF-India does not provide housing, telephone or vehicle facilities.

6. LOCATION: Bharatpur, Rajasthan

7. REFERENCE: SPOWC-WWF

8. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Senior Consultant 
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phones: 011-2684-2162; 011-4165-3612; 011-4101-1564 and 011-4101-1565
Email: spowc-wwf@sams.co.in 

9. LAST DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:

Interested candidates must email their latest resume/CV, along with a cover letter and details of three professional references, current cost to organization and remuneration expectations to spowc-wwf@sams.co.in by or before June 17, 2015. Please note that interviews with promising applicants shall commence almost immediately.