Senior Technical Associate

Position summary:

Rainforest Alliance India is seeking a dynamic and results-driven Senior Technical Associate to lead the implementation of a transformative landscape-level project in the coffee growing regions of Karnataka. This role is central to advancing sustainable agricultural systems and strengthening local economies in high biodiversity regions through integrated landscape management and innovative public-private finance mechanisms.

The Senior Technical Associate will provide operational leadership across the Karnataka landscape, coordinating with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), government departments, commodity boards, and academic institutions. The role involves strategic planning, technical oversight, and stakeholder engagement to ensure inclusive, gender-equitable, and impactful project delivery. The position will also represent the project in high-level forums, contribute to policy dialogues, and support knowledge sharing and capacity building across diverse platforms.

This is a home-based position, preferably based close to the project landscape in Kodagu/Coorg district, Mysuru, or Bengaluru, with extensive field travel and close collaboration with the Senior Project Manager, and other project stakeholders to ensure timely and effective achievement of project outcomes.

Responsibilities:

• Organize and support technically sound project delivery in the project landscape, in accordance with the work plan and aligned with guidance from the Senior Project Manager and Technical Committee
• Provide operational leadership for scaling and replication of sustainable landscape management practices across the Western Ghats landscape in Karnataka.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with State Forest Departments, academic institutions, NGOs, and other government and non-government stakeholders.
• Represent the project in high-level forums, policy dialogues, and national/state-level events to enhance visibility and influence.
• Ensure that the technical delivery of the project is socially inclusive, ensuring that women, indigenous communities and other minority groups have equitable access to resources, activities and services that are generated by the project;
• Lead coordination with CSO partners and field teams to ensure timely, inclusive implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and intervention activities across the project's micro-landscapes. Proactively contribute relevant proposals and facilitate convergence with government programs and schemes to integrate project learnings into broader policy and practice.
• Coordinate the preparation and review of annual work plans and budgets of CSO partners, in alignment with their contractual obligations, for approval by the Senior Project Manager. Serve as the primary liaison with CSO partners, providing ongoing technical support, monitoring their performance, and ensuring adherence to gender equity and inclusion principles in the delivery of project activities.
• Collaborate with forest training institutes and academic partners to design and deliver capacity-building programs, especially for women and marginalized groups.
• Organize and facilitate workshops, training, and exposure visits to promote cross-learning and replication.
• Coordinate the translation and dissemination of key project documents and success stories in both Kannada and English to support broader outreach and stakeholder engagement.
• Identify, curate, and develop impactful case studies and success stories to strengthen project communication, visibility, and advocacy initiatives.
• Support MEL activities including data collection, supervision of studies, and documentation of outcomes and lessons learned.
• Contribute to reporting and knowledge products for donors, partners, and government stakeholders.
• Review the policies and legislative frameworks around land use planning in Karnataka and coordinate with the Policy advisor and partners to support the development of the project's policy approach.
• Identify consultants for tasks specified in the project work plan, coordinate with the Senior Project Manager and supervise their assignment, ensuring timely and complete reporting.
• Liaise with the Coffee Board, Spices Board, State Government Departments, and other key institutional stakeholders to align field activities with existing programs in the project landscape and facilitate joint planning and implementation wherever feasible.
• Attend meetings of the Project Management Unit and the Technical Committee; support the preparation of Technical Committee meetings.
• Coordinate to develop and disseminate communication materials tailored to different stakeholder groups.
• Coordinate with media and outreach partners to amplify project impact and visibility.
• Representing the project at conferences, exhibitions, and public platforms.
• Provide logistical and technical support to visiting teams, consultants, and partners during field missions.
• Ensure compliance with project guidelines, gender equity, and inclusion principles in all activities.

Qualifications:

• Education: Master's degree in environmental science, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Agriculture, Sustainable Development, Master of Social Work or related fields.
• Work Experience: Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience with a Master's degree in technical project management related to landscape conservation, integrated natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, ecosystem services, or community-based approaches. At least 3 years should be in a leadership or coordination role. Prior professional experience working in Karnataka is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in the agricultural sector, particularly in sustainable farming systems. A strong understanding of forest governance, ecosystem services, and sustainable land use planning within the Indian context, especially in the Western Ghats is highly desirable.
• Ability to align field-level activities with broader program goals, including scaling and policy integration.
• Skilled in developing and delivering compelling presentations, reports, and communication materials for varied audiences.
• Familiarity with MEL frameworks, data analysis, and adaptive management approaches.
• Experience of leading a team and managing projects in rural environments. Experience working with government departments, academic institutions, and NGOs at both state and national levels.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-stakeholder initiatives, manage teams, and coordinate across partners. Commitment to gender equity and inclusion, with experience in participatory approaches.
• Very good inter-personal skills, including the ability to work with stakeholders at all levels, facilitate meetings, and keep stakeholders informed.
• Proficiency in the use of computer software applications, especially MS Office. Comfortable using digital tools for natural resource management, project management, data collection, and stakeholder engagement (e.g., GIS, mobile data apps).
• Based in Karnataka and ability to travel extensively to the project landscapes (up to 75% of the time).
• Fluency in English (spoken and written) is required. Working knowledge of Kannada (spoken and written) is desirable.

Level: 4

Deadline: 21 November 2025

Notes: Only candidates legally authorized to work in India (Mysuru or Bangaluru) will be considered.

If you have any questions about the job vacancy, please contact the HR department:

The Rainforest Alliance encourages diversity and inclusion across the global organization. With this commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ages, disability and any other protected group.