Project Associate (Forests & Watershed)

Project Associate (Forests & Watershed), MaWRiN Project

Location: Sindhul

Company Description

WWF Nepal, the global conservation organization leading international efforts for a living planet, seeks applications from qualified Nepali candidates for the following full-time position. If you think you are an achiever and willing to work within a diverse team in a multicultural environment with commitment and passion for what you believe in, you are highly encouraged to apply.

Our Mission:

At WWF Nepal, we firmly believe people and nature are inextricably linked. Our mission is to stop the degradation of our planet’s natural environment, and build a future Nepal in which people live in harmony with nature.

Our Vision:

From its origins as a small group of committed wildlife enthusiasts, WWF has grown into one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, active in over 100 countries.

Over this time, WWF’s focus has evolved from localized efforts in favor of a single species and individual habitats to an ambitious strategy to preserve biodiversity and achieve sustainable development across the globe.

WWF-Nepal envisions a prosperous Nepal, with an active and socially responsible citizenry that a greater sense of stewardship towards the environment.

Our Core Values:

We celebrate and respect diversity in nature and among the people, partners, and communities with whom we work. Across the many cultures and individuals that represent WWF, we are unified by one mission, one brand, and one common set of values:

Courage: We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
Integrity: We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability, and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure we learn and evolve.
Respect: We honor the voices and knowledge of the people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
Collaboration: We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

Job Description

The Managing Watersheds for Enhanced Resilience of Communities to Climate Change in Nepal (MaWRiN) Project is located in Marin watershed of Sindhuli district. The project is funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF) managed Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) to be implemented over a period of six years by WWF in close association with the federal Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) as the National Executing Agency and Ministry of Forests and Environment of Bagmati Province as the Project Executing Partner. The project will enable the government and local stakeholders to invest in protecting the Marin watershed while bolstering the longer-term resilience of local and indigenous communities against climate emergencies.

The objective of the project is “to enhance climate resilience of Indigenous people and local communities in the Marin watershed (partly/fully covering area of Marin rural municipality, Kamalamai municipality, Ghyanglekh rural municipality, and Hariharpurgadhi rural municipality) through nature-based solutions and livelihood improvement.” The project’s objective will be achieved through the following three inter-connected components:

Component 1: Enabling environment for mainstreaming climate change through development of capacity of the municipalities and other key local agencies to assess and understand climate risks and vulnerabilities, and accordingly mainstream climate change adaptation strategies and actions in local policies and plans. Also, through the establishment of a multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue and coordinated actions on climate change adaptation at the watershed level.
Component 2: Enhanced Resilience of Local Communities to Climate Change through a) community-based natural resource management such as community identification of adaptation interventions, support and demonstration of sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture and livestock practices, improved water management, strengthened management of community and leasehold forests, and b) Nature-based Solutions that reduce climate impacts and risks.
Component 3: Monitoring, evaluation and knowledge management, through tracking of project progress on a regular basis; garnering and analysis of lessons and good practices; and development and dissemination of knowledge that reinforces project results from components 1 and 2, providing sound basis for their replication, adaptation and sustainability.
A Project Management Unit (PMU) will be set up at field level. The Chief of the Soil and Watershed Management Office (SWMO), Ramechhap will serve as the Project Manager (PM). The main functions of the PMU are to (i) oversee fiduciary arrangements, (ii) ensure overall efficient management, coordination, timely implementation of the agreed project work plan/result framework including the Environment and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and related Safeguard plans, (iii) operational oversight of implementation activities, (iv) timely reporting, and for effective use of GEF/LDCF resources for the approved work plan and (v) monitoring of the project. The PMU will also serve as the secretariat to the project coordination committee and multi-stakeholder dialogue and action platform.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Officer, the Project Associate (Forests & Watershed) will support the implementation of project activities. This position is expected to have expertise on community engagement and mobilization so that s/he can work with local communities and stakeholders to identify and take up climate adaptive technologies and practices for agriculture, livestock management and water resource management. This position requires frequent travel to the project site.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Technical backstopping

• Support in provide technical expertise for effective communities and stakeholders’ engagement in the project.
• Support in providing technical support to communities and stakeholders in strengthening community forests, leasehold forests and the rehabilitation and protection of degraded lands and vulnerable areas.

2. Capacity Building

• Support in training local communities/farmers/forest user group members on strengthen community and leasehold forest management, climate-adaptive agriculture technologies and practices
• Support capacity building events targeting local and provincial government agencies for the effective delivery of extension services to local communities on climate-adaptive technologies and practices, forest management, rehabilitating and protecting degraded and vulnerable areas, watershed management.

3. Planning

• Support the planning process by bringing the voices of the vulnerable community and their adaptation needs during annual workplan finalization.
• Engage in local communities, government, and stakeholders’ planning process to integrate forest management, watershed management, rehabilitating and protecting degraded and vulnerable area technologies and practices, resource leverage, and sharing project best practices and learning.

4. Project Implementation and Coordination

• Facilitate local communities and stakeholders to ensure that activities are planned and executed in line with the project’s established processes and guidelines.
• Support in overall implementation of project activities across all components.
• Support in organizing workshops, training, and periodic planning meetings/sessions.
• Coordinate and communicate with local stakeholders and project partners.
• Support in logistic arrangements and coordination for PCC meetings and PSC meetings.

5. Reporting and Documentation

• Support the preparation of semi-annual and annual project progress report (PPR).
• Support Gender Equality & Social Inclusion (GESI) and Safeguards expert to ensure documentation of all safeguards related activities including Grievances Redress Mechanisms (GRM).
• Support Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) and Communications Officer to ensure that communication and learning materials are developed, and success stories are documented and published.

6. Inclusive Conservation

• Support in identifying and integrating GESI and environmental and social safeguards provisions and activities in finalizing annual workplan.
• Support in identifying and integrating the voice, knowledge, skills, and values of indigenous peoples and local communities, and ensuring they benefit from project efforts and activities

7. Grant and Contract Management

• Support for preparing grants and contracts.
• Coordinate with contractors/consultants for timely completion of activities and submission of reports.

8. Other Duties

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the tasks that are anticipated proactively. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to the project needs.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Working Relationship

Internal: Works closely with PMU staff

External: Work closely with existing government, non-government and civil society partners, consultants, and grantees.

Qualifications

Knowledge: A Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or any related field.

Experience: At least 2 years of experience in project implementation. Knowledge on GESI, Safeguards, climate-adaptive technologies and practices is highly desirable. Experience of working in national GEF projects will be an added advantage.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong coordination and facilitation skill.
• Ability to work with diverse local communities.
• Attention to details and problem-solving skills.
• Time management and adaptability.
• Good skills in Microsoft office programs.
• Strong communication skill with ability to prepare letters and documents in Nepali.
• Ability to prioritize and work under time constraints.

Additional Information

Interested applicants are requested to apply for the position by 17:00 hours on December 15, 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be informed.

Please do not click on “Apply with Indeed” button once you start the application process.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

WWF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please join us in our mission to save life on Earth.