Country Director

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About the Organization

Wildlife Conservation Society-India (WCS-India) is a Section 25 non-profit company incorporated in India and compliant with all Indian regulations. WCS-India's overarching goal is to retain, recover, and restore wildlife and ecosystems through inclusive, evidence-based action, sustained engagement, and creative communication. WCS-India combines wildlife conservation action and strategic policy interventions with rigorous principles of conservation science to forge long-lasting, productive partnerships with governmental and non-governmental partners as well as with local communities. WCS India’s conservation action addresses the threats of habitat fragmentation, poaching and wildlife trade, and human-wildlife interactions. WCS-India has 160 employees (Inclusive of Fixed Term Employees, Consultants and Interns) and works in 15 states across India.

Job Description

The Country Director will oversee the implementation and has oversight of WCS-India. The Director will lead the development and management of WCS India’s conservation activities in line with WCS India and WCS global strategies. The WCS-India Country Director will be responsible for: leading on the establishment of priorities, strategy, and approaches for terrestrial (and marine) conservation and climate adaptation initiatives; supporting conservation project development and implementation; fundraising and grants oversight; coordination with government and non-government partners; directing national and international attention to India for conservation; influencing policies that promote preservation of biodiversity and sustainable development, while reducing vulnerability to future climate and environmental change.

Job Responsibilities

• Coordinating and supervising the implementation of all WCS-India projects and activities, including ensuring financial and administrative support for field and office activities.
• Establishing and maintaining excellent working relationships with partners and donors.  Meeting regularly with project partners, relevant government agencies, and community leaders. Serving as a liaison between WCS-India and other scientific and conservation bodies in India and elsewhere.
• Ensuring WCS-India’s community engagement protocols follow best international and nationally recommended practice for free, prior, and informed consent, and allowing this process to be guided by national staff.
• Raising the profile of WCS-India’s conservation efforts through the dissemination of project results widely in the peer-reviewed and popular literature. Writing and publishing documents, reports, books and papers and/or supporting staff to do so. Maintaining active roles in professional societies. Attending relevant meetings, workshops, and strategy sessions in India and the region (where required).
• Collaborating with the WCS Regional Director, Global Conservation thematic programs and Global Resources to secure funding for WCS-India. Working to maintain a diversified funding base at a sustainable level to support WCS-India activities.
• Overseeing grant and financial reporting and ensuring that draft reports are submitted with adequate time for internal review.
• Hiring, managing and contributing to capacity building of WCS-India staff, while contributing to, enlarging and upholding policies, including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies, towards equal employment opportunities for women, minorities, veterans, the handicapped and other protected groups.
• Acting as the formal representative of WCS-India, ensuring all activities are in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.
• Participating in and contributing to cross-cutting and global conservation initiatives of WCS, both in the region and globally.
• Liaising with other parts of WCS where appropriate, including but not limited to communications, international policy, Global Resources, Grants Management and Compliance, and Global Conservation Program thematic program staff.

Education Qualification/Required Skills & Experience

Minimum Requirements and Job Skills:

• Applicants should have a minimum of 5-10 years’ relevant experience with non-profit leadership, management and governance in India.
• Applicants should have a PhD, MBA, or a Master’s degree with commensurate experience managing complex institutions, with expertise in the conservation, natural resource management and/or development sectors.
• Minimum 8 years’ experience managing terrestrial and/or marine field conservation projects, project budgets, and staff, particularly in remote and/or developing country settings.
• Demonstrated success working with diverse partners to achieve common objectives.
• Ability to train and build capacity in field research, community-based natural resource management, conservation advocacy, and project management.
• Commitment to uphold transparency and accountability in overseeing compliance with all relevant policies and procedures.
• Familiar with conservation issues in India and committed to the mission of WCS-India and WCS globally.
• Applicants should be willing to travel extensively in remote locations, have excellent problem-solving skills and be flexible to local constraints.
• Professional proficiency in English.

Preferred requirements:

• Experience managing multilateral and bilateral funded projects.
• Professional proficiency in other languages of India.

For more information please check the Link

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