Landscape Coordinator – Satpura-Maikal Landscape

Conservation at the landscape scale involves working on various issues that directly and indirectly impact the landscape. WWF India's conservation programme includes a priority focus on nine terrestrial landscapes located in diverse ecoregions. Our work includes species and habitat management & monitoring, addressing human-wildlife conflict, maintaining landscape connectivity, enhancing protection, 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 extractive. Our 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 seeks a candidate committed to conservation, sustainable development, and proven leadership abilities to drive and manage the Satpura-Maikal Landscape. The candidate will be expected to work across multiple disciplines and lead a diverse team of managers, biologists, 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.

Location: Jabalpur / Nagpur / Bhopal

Job Profile:

The Landscape Coordinator will represent WWF-India in the Satpura-Maikal Landscape and will be expected to drive the implementation of the programme to deliver its strategic outcomes in close coordination with the Director – Central India Programme (CIP). Specific areas of responsibility include:

Management & Coordination

• Work with the Director, CIP to assess and get the necessary human resources required for the delivery of the programme.
  
• Manage and provide strategic guidance to the landscape team, consultants and other partner organisations & institutes engaged in the development and implementation of the landscape strategy.
  
• Conduct regular performance assessments of the team members and take proactive steps to achieve excellence in outcomes.
  
• Support the team in setting their KRAs and conduct mid-year and annual appraisals in a timely manner.
  
• Provide technical and strategic input in specific areas to ensure a strong and adaptive landscape conservation programme in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh
  
• Staying current and being informed on the policies of the state governments of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra that have immediate or long-term effects on the conservation of wildlife and their habitats and strategise our actions based on this
  

Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and externalise an effective communications strategy for the landscape
  
• Map the stakeholders for implementing WWF-India's vision and strategy in the landscape, develop an effective stakeholder engagement plan and manage relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders.
  
• Design a policy/ advocacy strategy and work with the Director-CIP, the landscape team and relevant members at WWF-India Secretariat to implement this.
  
• Ensure effective and ongoing networking with key partners, including government agencies, other organisations and institutions working in the Satpura-Maikal Landscape, including community institutions.
  

Administration and reporting

• Work with the Director-CIP to ensure regular liaison 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.
  

Requirements

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

• Master's or higher degree in Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences, project 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 departments and agencies, research institutions, corporates and donors
  
• Understanding of broad concepts of landscape conservation and community development/ governance
  

Desired Skills & Abilities:

• Experience in any of the following fields would be an added advantage - wildlife conservation/ social development
  
• Proficiency in both oral and written Hindi and English
  
• Ability to think strategically and plan proactively.
  
• Experience in managing mixed teams.
  
• Good interpersonal and communication skills (both oral and written in English and Hindi).
  
• Documentation and report writing skills.
  
• ​Ability to coordinate effectively, multitask and meet deadlines.
  

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