Project Officer – Species Conservation (WITL) – WWF-India

WWF-India Established as a Charitable Trust on 27 November, 1969, WWF India set out with the aim of reducing the degradation of Earth’s natural environment and building a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. In 1987, the organization changed it’s name from the World Wildlife Fund to World Wide Fund for Nature India. With five decades of extensive work in the sector, WWF India today is one of the leading conservation organizations in the country.

WWF India is a science-based organization which addresses issues such as the conservation of species and its habitats, climate change, water and environmental education, among many others. Over the years, its perspective has broadened to reflect a more holistic understanding of the various conservation issues facing the country and seeks to proactively encourage environmental conservation by working with different stakeholders- Governments, NGOs, schools and colleges, corporates, students and other individuals.

Job Description
This is a full-time position for a wildlife biologist with in undertaking fieldwork to support WWF-India applied conservation work in the Western Indian Tiger Landscape. The biologist’s primary role will be to anchor and advance WWF-India’s program activities in the Western India Tiger Landscape, which will entail the following: (a) lead monitoring and on-ground conservation to support recovery of tiger / co-predator and prey populations in key areas (Ramgarh, Kailadevi Kuno and Mahadav); (b) design and carry out studies to assess corridor status and large-mammal use of corridors; (c) model/ assess land use change and work towards identifying a land-use planning strategic document to support tiger conservation; (d) develop and implement habitat recovery measures in collaboration with experts; and (e) engage with human-wildlife interface issues in the landscape; and (f) integrate monitoring with community-conservation initiative sin the landscape.

The biologist will attached to the WWF-India Western India Tiger landscape office in   Sawai Madhaopur, Rajasthan, and be based in this program office and various field camps, as required, both within WITL and in other landscapes.

Work Experience 0-1 year

Industry NGO/Social Services

Job Profile:

• Program Implementation and Technical Support
• Carry out  the tiger, prey and habitat monitoring work as per the approved work plan in close association with WWF-India personnel and the forest department.
• Collaboratively develop study designs for monitoring tiger populations in the landscape, and strategically devise conservation initiatives to achieve population recovery in key areas where they are vulnerable or their habitats are degraded.
• To undertake surveys to assess corridor status and assist in the preparation of a corridor conservation plan.
• To lead LEM work, in coordination with the forest department.
• Assist the Forest Department in field surveys, data analysis and report preparation with conservation recommendations.
• To assess factors that are attributed to human tiger conflict, and coordinate implementation of mitigation measures.
• Assist the state forest department in implementing the recommendations for tiger conservation.
• Regularly update supervisors on progress.
• Responsible for technical reporting pertaining to tiger conservation initiatives in the study area.

Networking, Coordination and Communication:

• Coordinate with supervisors, as well as communication team at WWF-India Secretariat for communicating progress as well as success stories from the project area.
• Capacity building of the forest department personnel in SML on camera trapping, data analysis using Mark-Recapture, Extract Compare and other tools as well as report preparation.
• Regularly interact with various Govt. department(s), and community groups and other stakeholders for planning out and implementation of project activities and updating them with the progress as and when required.
• Analyze information collected from field and prepare technical reports as per requirement.
• Publish relevant articles in peer reviewed journals and print media.

Program Development:

PO, Tiger conservation will be responsible for assisting Landscape Coordinator– WITL (Sawai Madhaopur), in preparing strategy/projects for addressing Tiger conservation related issues in the Western Circle and adjacent tiger habitats.

The candidate will be responsible for effective liasoning with stakeholders including Govt. department(s), Institution(s), and NGOs for any issues pertaining to planning and implementation of project activities in the landscape.

Requirements

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

• M.Sc. in wildlife Science/ biology/ zoology or related subject.
• Experience in field and analytical methods used to monitor terrestrial mammals is essential.
• Field experience in central/ north/ west India is desirable.
• Good oral and written knowledge of English and Hindi are imperative. In addition, a track record of publishing in scientific or popular literature, and ability to work collaboratively are important qualifications for this position.
• Prior experience in implementation of MStrIPES/ LEM systems, and wildlife radio telemetry.