WWF India - Director/Team Leader - Western Ghats - Nilgiris Landscape Programme

Director/Team Leader - Western Ghats - Nilgiris Landscape Programme

WWF India's conservation programme includes a priority focus on eight terrestrial landscapes located in diverse ecoregions. Conservation at the landscape scale involves working on a range of issues that impact the landscape both directly and indirectly.

This includes conservation related issues (species and habitat management & monitoring, addressing human-wildlife conflict, enhancing protection); social development (community empowerment, sustainable livelihoods); river basin management; climate change adaptation, as well as engaging with external drivers of land use change such as infrastructure development, agriculture production and extractives. Approaches include field implementation, research & monitoring, capacity building & institutional development, policy advocacy and engagement with multiple partners including local communities, industries, government agencies and CSOs.

WWF- India has been working in the 18,500 sq km Western Ghats-Nilgiris Landscape (WGNL) since 2000. The landscape is spread across the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. The forests in this landscape are home to the single largest Asian elephant and Tiger populations within a connected landscape in the world along with many endemic wildlife species. The main focus of WWF India's work in the landscape has been on management and conservation of key species and their habitats, community engagement and empowerment and management of freshwater resources with a focus on the Noyyal and Bhavani river basins.

WWF- India is looking for a candidate with a commitment to conservation and sustainable development and proven leadership abilities to drive and manage its work within the WGNL. The incumbent candidate will be expected to work across multiple disciplines and lead a diverse team of managers, natural and social scientists, and field staff.

The candidate would also be expected to engage and work with diverse stakeholders, including senior government officials and community leaders to achieve the landscape conservation objectives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

The Director/Team Leader, will represent WWF India in the Western Ghats Nilgiris Landscape and will be expected to drive the implementation of the programme to deliver its strategic outcomes in close coordination with an internal Programme Steering Group (PSG). Specific areas of responsibility include:

Strategy & Vision :

- Internalize and communicate the WGNL programme strategy to multiple stakeholders within and outside the organization (including the global WWF network).

- Work with the PSG to continually review and refresh the strategic approach and provide innovative ideas towards sustainable development and conservation in WGNL

Management & Coordination :

- Work with the PSG to assess and get necessary human resources as required for the delivery of the programme

- Manage and provide strategic guidance to the team, consultants and other partner organizations engaged in delivery of the programme

- Conduct regular performance assessment of the team members and take pro-active steps for excellence in outcomes

- Provide technical and strategy input in specific areas to ensure a strong and adaptive programme of work.

Accountability :

- Work with the PSG to ensure regular liaising with all project donors

- Put in place and ensure effective implementation of technical and financial reporting mechanisms

- Work with the WWF India Social Safeguards team to ensure effective implementation of the Environmental and Social Safeguards

Stakeholder Engagement :

- Work with the PSG to develop and externalize an effective communications strategy for the programme

- Develop an effective stakeholder engagement plan and manage relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders.

- Design a policy/advocacy strategy and work with the PSG to implement this

- Ensure effective and ongoing networking with key partners including government agencies, other organizations and institutions working in the WGNL including community institutions.

Profile/Required Qualifications :

- Master's or higher degree in Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences, management or a related field

- At least 10 years of experience in project management and leading and mentoring multi-disciplinary teams

- Experience in engaging with diverse stakeholders including communities, government, corporates and donors.

- Understanding of broad concepts of landscape conservation and community development/governance

- Experience in any of the following fields would be an added advantage - wildlife conservation/social development/river basin management.

Skills and Abilities

- Ability to think strategically and plan proactively

- Experience in managing mixed teams

- Good interpersonal and communication skills (both oral and written in English and Tamil)

- Documentation and report writing skills

- Ability to coordinate effectively, multitask and meet deadlines