Lead – Community based Conservation (Northeast Region)

Roles and Responsibilities

For over two decades, WWF-India has worked closely with communities in the states of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to promote community-based conservation. This includes working with theMonpain western Arunachal Pradesh to establish Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) over swathes of natural areas in the region over which the local communities have historically enjoyed custodianship. We have also worked with communities in Sikkim to manage wetlands and in Darjeeling to restore forests. More recently, WWF-India has sought to scope out the establishment of CCAs in Karbi Anglong, Assam. We are also looking at scaling up the CCA model in Arunachal as well as federating community management committees to enable them to manage larger areas and have a greater voice in conservation and sustainable development. Enabling inclusive conservation through the facilitation of networks and collaborative action is also a long-term aim. This can be donedevelop links and build partnerships with actors from across the North-East region to exchange learnings and advocate collectively with state agencies to promote inclusive conservation approaches.

The position will provide strategic guidance and support to WWF-India’s Western Arunachal Landscape. The Lead-CBC (NER) will play a central role in reaching out and working with stakeholders across the region and beyond as required. An understanding of and keen interest in promoting SES (social-ecological system) approaches is advantageous. Strong existing networks in the region will be of help in developing strategic partnerships. An understanding of the policy environment in relation to forest conservation and community roles will also be important for this role.

The position will be based at the WWF-India office in Guwahati and report to the Team Leader, Brahmaputra and Western Arunachal Landscapes with matrix reporting to the Director of Wildlife Landscapes, based in the WWF-India Secretariat in New Delhi.

Location: Guwahati

Job Profile:

Programme Development

• Work closely with the Director, Governance, Law and Policy Programme, Team Leader, Brahmaputra Landscape and Director, Wildlife Landscapes to map out and document the Constitutional and legal provisions across North-East India that promote and enable inclusive conservation approaches.
• Work with the Landscape Coordinators in WAL and BHL to develop strategies and roadmaps, based on customs and history of tenure and custodianship of natural resources by local communities, to promote community-based conservation work in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, Karbi Anglong region in Assam and undertake scoping activities for similar initiatives in other states in the region.

• Assist in developing project proposals and fund-raising for implementing the strategies as required, particularly for alliance building and advocacy initiatives to promote inclusive conservation approaches across the region.

Programme Implementation and Technical Support

• Work closely with the Landscape Coordinator, WAL on current projects to build local capacities to manage the nine existing CCAs, including dialogue on ecosystem resilience with CCA members.
• Work closely with the Lead, Snow Leopard Conservation and Landscape Coordinator, WAL on engaging with the pastoral community (Brokpa) and the larger community groups to secure high altitude rangelands and wetlands in WAL.
• Work closely with the Landscape Coordinator, Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape to ground the CCA approach in Karbi Anglon
• Build in-house capacities on SES approaches
• Supervise and support the landscape team members in carrying out field surveys/assessments, data collection and analysis and report preparation.
• Work in collaboration with the Coordinator – Livelihoods and Conservation, based out of WWF-India Secretariat to design actions aimed to augment the incomes of local communities.
• Facilitate information flow from partners/landscapes about conservation and livelihood issues from the region to other team members and WWF-India Secretariat.
• Facilitate implementation of project activities and work with the Specialist, M & E of the Wildlife & Habitat Programme to develop and implement appropriate monitoring and evaluation to demonstrate the impact of community involvement in conservation across projects.

• Liaise, develop and manage partnerships with a range of partners and networks including civil society organizations, state agencies, academic institutions and academicians, the corporate sector (as needed) within WAL, BHL and across the north-eastern states.
• Undertake report writing and documentation as required as well as assist in developing communication materials.
• Coordinate with the field and secretariat teams to ensure timely publication of reports, facts and stories on the WWF-India website, as printed matter, and in electronic and print media.

Programme Monitoring, Administration and Financial Management

• Maintain oversight on updates (quarterly/ six-monthly/ annual) on the progress of different projects being implemented in WAL and BHL
• Assist in project management including formulating work plans, reporting, monitoring, financial management and delivery of agreed targets.

Qualifications and competencies required:

• M.A. or M.Sc. in Social Science or related subject from a reputed University in India or abroad. Ph.D. in Social Science or related issues is desired.
• Work experience on social issues related to biodiversity conservation in Northeast India, particularly in the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim is required.
• Independently designing applied research and/ or community-based conservation programme.
• Working closely with government officials, community-based institutions, and other stakeholders to promote community stewardship.
• Experience of Community Conserved Area approach in northeast India.
• At least 8 years of post-MA/MSc or 3 years post-PhD work experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in fund-raising and managing field-level conservation projects is desired.
• Strong communication skills: writing, public speaking, and listening.
• High managerial competency including management of colleagues reporting to this role; managing relationships across the organization; identifying strong prospective employees; ensuring quality work; program monitoring; and advocating for community-based conservation across contexts.
• Experience working with the varied stakeholders involved: on-the-ground conservationists, government officials, local communities, researchers, and other NGOs.
• Strong skills in research design and execution.
• Willingness to travel regularly (at least once a month) to provide support across regions and projects.
• Fluency in English. Proficiency/ fluency in Assamese/ Nepali and Hindi preferred.

Please note, that the applications of only the short-listed candidates will be acknowledged.

WWF-India is an equal opportunities employer. Applications from qualified women are encouraged.

Remuneration will be competitive with Indian NGO pay scales and will depend upon candidate’s experience levels and the overall WWF-India salary structure. WWF-India does not provide housing, telephone or vehicle facilities.

Please submit an up-to-date CV (mentioning your full name in the resume attachment), giving details regarding compensation received in the present assignment, expected salary, and three references.