Program Lead, Sustainable Agriculture

Job Description Who We Are The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization committed to safeguarding the lands and waters upon which all life depends. In India, our subsidiary, Nature Conservancy India Solutions (NCIS), partners with government agencies, research institutions, and local communities to develop science-based, sustainable solutions for climate change, water security, and biodiversity conservation. NCIS offers research, consulting, technical support, and advisory services to diverse stakeholders in India and globally on conservation, environment, biodiversity, and climate change. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.nature.org/en-us/ What We Can Achieve Together The Nature Conservancy India Solutions (NCIS) seeks an experienced Program Lead, Sustainable Agriculture to provide strategic leadership for flagship sustainable agriculture initiatives. This senior position requires strong technical knowledge in agriculture, conservation, and climate resilience, along with proven leadership in international, multi-stakeholder settings. A key focus is the PRANA (promoting regenerative and no-burn agriculture in Northwest India) project which is targeting crop residue burning reduction and supporting improved rice management, water conservation, and crop diversification. The ideal candidate will have significant experience managing large sustainable agriculture programmes within international NGOs or similar organisations, displaying strong team leadership, stakeholder engagement, and innovation skills. Responsibilities include delivering PRANA outcomes by setting priorities, identifying risks, and leading teams to develop and execute solutions. Based in New Delhi with frequent site travel to field sites, the Program Lead will oversee the design, implementation, and scaling of transformative interventions like PRANA, advancing regenerative agriculture across key landscapes. The role includes delivering technical expertise and overall direction for climate-resilient agriculture, ensuring alignment with TNC India's mission and international standards. Core responsibilities involve integrating climate-smart and regenerative practices into value chains, with emphasis on soil health, water stewardship, and biodiversity conservation. Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Program Lead will represent TNC in India, positioning the organisation as a leading conservation partner and ensuring measurable impacts in line with global best practices. Key Responsibilities - Programme Leadership - Develop and oversee sustainable agriculture strategies aligned with organisational goals and global best practices. - Lead multi-stakeholder partnerships with government agencies, corporates, NGOs, and farmer groups, for PRANA and related work. - Provide vision, technical direction, and day-to-day management of collaborative agricultural projects. - Provide vision, technical direction, and day-to-day management of collaborative agricultural projects. - Provide vision, technical direction, and day-to-day management of collaborative agricultural projects. - Promote regenerative agriculture, soil health, water stewardship, and climate-smart practices. - Integrate sustainability standards and certifications into agricultural value chains. - Provide subject matter expertise in sustainable agriculture, conservation, and climate adaptation, drawing on global research and best practices. - undefined - Team & Partnership Management - Build, mentor, and lead multidisciplinary teams and implementing partners, fostering a high-performance, inclusive culture. - Coordinate and guide teams of professionals and manage large contracts for effective collaboration. - Establish and sustain strategic alliances with government agencies, corporates, NGOs, research institutions, and farmer networks at national and international levels. - Champion social equity and inclusive participation by engaging local communities and ensuring culturally sensitive capacity building. - undefined - Financial & Operational Oversight - Manage and track programme budgets, ensuring efficient resource allocation, financial integrity, and compliance with NCIS and donor requirements. - Oversee monitoring and evaluation protocols to assess impact; adapt strategies c as needed. - Ensure compliance with TNC policies, financial standards, legal, regulatory, and organisational requirements. - Ensure compliance with TNC policies, financial standards, legal, regulatory, and organisational requirements. - Ensure compliance with TNC policies, financial standards, legal, regulatory, and organisational requirements. - Monitoring and Evaluation, and Problem-Solving - Identify and address challenges in supporting project implementation, proactively developing and testing innovative solutions. - Promote a culture of learning, agility, and evidence-based adaptation to maximise programme effectiveness. - Ensure timely production of high-quality data for internal management and external reporting. - Utilise advanced data-driven management tools for planning, monitoring progress, and adaptive decision-making. - Deliver timely, high-quality reports to stakeholders, demonstrating accountability and programme results. - Deliver timely, high-quality reports to stakeholders, demonstrating accountability and programme results. - Serve as a senior spokesperson and advocate for NCIS's sustainable agriculture agenda with policymakers, donors, industry leaders, and farming communities. - Represent NCIS in international forums, knowledge platforms, and technical working groups. - Adapt global sustainable agriculture models and innovations to the Indian context for increased relevance and impact. - Lead identification and cultivation of new funding opportunities, supporting fundraising initiatives and donor engagement. - Contribute to thought leadership, policy dialogues, and public communications to enhance NCIS's profile and sectoral influence. What You'll Bring Minimum Qualifications: - Advanced degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Sustainability, or related fields. - 10+ years of experience in agricultural development, sustainability, or climate programs. - Proven track record in program leadership, consortium building, and stakeholder management. - Strong analytical, communication, and proposal development skills. - Experience working with government agencies, corporates, and international donors. Desired Qualifications - Visionary leadership with ability to align diverse stakeholders. - Expertise in regenerative agriculture and sustainable value chains. - Financial acumen for managing large-scale projects and donor-funded initiatives. - Cultural sensitivity and ability to work with rural communities. - Commitment to environmental stewardship and farmer livelihoods. This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior agriculture professional to lead transformative change at the intersection of agriculture, conservation, and sustainability in India and beyond. Join us in shaping resilient food systems and empowering communities for a sustainable future. What We Bring The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law. Who We Are: The Nature Conservancy's mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We're rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it's career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there's many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor. One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant's unique experience. Please apply we'd love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, you'll join for the mission, and stay for the people. What We Bring: Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here. We're proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ. Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible. The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law. The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process. Do you have military experience Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [Confidential Information] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.