Location: Nature Discovery Centre, Bishwanathghat, Assam
Reporting: Director (India Programme) Turtle Survival Alliance/ Regional Advisor, North-east India
Minimum Qualification: PhD in Wildlife Science/ Conservation Biology/ Environmental Science/Environment Development/Social Science/related subjects Or MSc/MA in the above subject with 4 years of working experience
Additional Requirement: Fluency in Assamese or Bengali language, experience in herpetology/ turtle biology, and previous work experience with local communities in Northeast India will be preferred.
Date of joining (preferable): 01 October, 2022
Remuneration: Commensurate with experience plus modest accommodation at field station
About the Programme: Turtle Project supports some of India's most highly endangered and charismatic non marine chelonians, through long-term conservation interventions and associated research along with conservation actions for other sympatric wildlife such as crocodilians and the Gangetic dolphins. The project is currently focussed on 4 of the 5 Turtle Priority Areas across the country, and involves species-specific conservation strategies as riverside-hatcheries to protect potential turtle nesting habitats, headstarting, monitoring released cohorts, population surveys, habitat assessment, reintroduction and maintaining assurance colonies to safeguard threatened freshwater species, specially surviving outside protected areas. Additionally, the project includes community outreach and education activities alongside assistance in checking illegal trade, rehabilitating rescued/confiscated turtles and conducting rescue operations for stranded crocodilians and Gangetic dolphins.
Job Responsibilities (include, though are not limited to):
- Conducting the field work along North-bank Landscape of Brahmaputra and other target areas of the project for participatory freshwater turtle conservation, with heavily involved community outreach initiatives.
- Planning, Implementation and Monitoring of all community education, engagement, and outreach initiatives and any other promotional events specific to individual projects or project locations in North-east India.
- Overall management and development of the Turtle Camp and Nature Discovery Centre, with regular visits to other project camps in North-east India.
- Identify, develop, and maintain relationships with relevant stakeholders, organizations, and networks to expand participatory conservation and program efforts in the region and beyond.
- Coordinate/facilitate the regional team and other projects across NE states, along with the capacity building of project associates, interns, and volunteers to improve the overall proficiency of the program staff.
- Develop grant proposals, regular progress reports and other administrative documents, build new funding channels and develop relationships with granting organizations for program sustenance and growth.
- Perform other related work as apparent or assigned.
Additional information
- Though based in Biswanathghat, Assam, the position involves extensive travelling to different project locations, rural and remote communities, as well as relevant stakeholder institutions.
- Coordinator is expected to establish and maintain effective team working relationships with co-workers, interns, local volunteers, administrators, and any external constituent in the programme's scope.
If interested, please apply by sending a detailed CV, a motivation letter and contact details of three references to saurabhdewan@wcsindia.org by 24 September 2022. Applications submitted without the requested supporting documentation will be disqualified.
Only candidates fulfilling the eligibility criteria should apply.