Position: Program Manager - Nagaland Conservation & Livelihoods
Location: Dimapur, Nagaland, with visits to all field sites of WCS-India in Nagaland
Background of the organisation:
WCS-India is a Section 25 non-profit company incorporated in India and compliant with all Indian regulations. In accordance with the global mission, WCS-India’s overarching goal is the protection and conservation of the natural environment, its flora and fauna, and, in particular, the preservation of wildlife and wild places in India. We combine wildlife conservation action and strategic policy interventions with rigorous principles of conservation science, and forge long-lasting, productive partnerships with governmental and non-governmental partners as well as with local communities. Our conservation action addresses the overarching threats of habitat fragmentation, poaching and wildlife trade as well as human-wildlife conflict, which impacts our biodiversity and its habitats.
WCS-India recognises that nature and people are intrinsically linked, and that biological and cultural diversity are interdependent, mutually reinforcing and often co-evolved. Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities frequently represent the most active defenders of nature and the best partners and constituents for conservation. WCS-India believes that respecting and protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities reflects our global commitment to equity and justice and is a necessary and best pathway to achieving durable conservation.
Main responsibilities:
- To monitor the listed project activities and deliverables
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Writing the quarterly reports of the project
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Oversee the administration of the project, which will involve coordinating with the WCS-India staff on the project, village beneficiaries of the project and collaborating partners to the project (eg, resource persons from partner NGO’s, Forest Department, State Biodiversity Board)
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Scheduling trainings and workshops
Participation of the community and local stakeholders:
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Work with WCS-India staff to enable better processes of human research ethics while implementing the project.
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Work with WCS-India staff to assist them in collecting more robust data using social science methods for understanding social parameters related to conservation as well as traditional ecological knowledge.
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Co-create a process to document and incorporate community knowledge into the design and implementation of conservation strategies.
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Work in coordination with field staff,
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Build relations with territorial leaders, local authorities and government social agencies
Social safeguards:
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Recommend periodic training for WCS-India field staff on internal policy, standards and best practices related to social safeguards, labour laws, human rights, gender, Indigenous Peoples and human trafficking.
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Support field teams to design and implement improvements in ongoing projects.
Minimum qualifications and experience:
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Postgraduate degree or equivalent in environmental or social sciences.
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Minimum of three years of experience working with local communities and also in intercultural and multi-stakeholder settings, in conservation or development projects.
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Knowledge about the environmental, social, economic and institutional situation of indigenous communities in the northeast.
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Minimum of three years of experience in project management, including monitoring and reporting.
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Commitment to high quality work and attention to detail.
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Organizational skills, including the ability to work on multiple activities simultaneously and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
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Excellent interpersonal communication skills and willingness to work collaboratively with a diverse team, both face-to-face and remotely.
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Fluent in English, written and oral and any other Indian language or many would be desirable.
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Availability to travel during the project to the field sites.
Desirable qualifications
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Minimum of three years of experience implementing and monitoring social safeguards
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Knowledge and experience in managing conflicts.
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Skill and experience in facilitating dialogue and building consensus.
Date of joining: Immediate
To apply:
Please send together in one file a motivation letter (max 200 words) and an updated resume. Submit your application using the position title “Program Manager - Nagaland Conservation & Livelihoods ” in the subject line to careers@wcsindia.org .
Candidates should mandatorily share the contact details of at least two professional references. Please mention your driving licence, driving experience, and language proficiency in the letter of motivation.
All applications will be reviewed; however, only shortlisted candidates will be notified for further processing
.