Senior Project Associate

Description

The Project Coordinator will play a key role in planning, coordinating, and implementing grassland restoration projects in Maharashtra. This position involves working closely with government departments, local communities, partner NGOs, and technical experts to ensure effective restoration, monitoring, and knowledge sharing. The ideal candidate will combine strong project management skills with an understanding of ecological restoration, community engagement, and rural livelihoods.

Type: Full-Time | Contractual | 12 months (with the possibility of extension)

Responsibilities

1. Project Implementation & Coordination

• Coordinate day-to-day project activities, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Facilitate the establishment and maintenance of native grass nurseries, restoration plots, and monitoring systems.
• Support site selection, baseline surveys, and ecological assessments in collaboration with technical teams.
• Ensure integration of traditional knowledge and scientific best practices in restoration efforts.

2. Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with the Maharashtra Forest Department, Rural Development Department, and other relevant agencies for permissions, alignment, and support.
• Facilitate community meetings, workshops, and training sessions with pastoralists, farmers, and local institutions.
• Build and maintain partnerships with NGOs, academic institutions, and private sector actors where relevant.

3. Monitoring, Reporting & Learning

• Track progress against work plans and prepare monthly/quarterly reports for donors and partners.
• Support participatory monitoring with community members to track ecological and livelihood outcomes.
• Document lessons learned, challenges, and best practices for dissemination.

4. Communications & Advocacy Support

• Contribute to the preparation of project briefs, case studies, and social media content.
• Assist in organising exposure visits, field demonstrations, and policy dialogues.

Qualifications

Essential

• Background in environmental sciences, ecology, natural resource management, rural development, or a related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in project coordination, preferably in ecosystem restoration, forestry, or rural livelihoods.
• Strong skills in stakeholder management and community facilitation.
• Proficiency in Marathi and English .
• Willingness to travel extensively within Maharashtra
• Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams.

Desirable

• Prior experience with grassland or rangeland management.
• Familiarity with government schemes (e.g., CAMPA, watershed management, fodder development).
• Data management and GIS skills

How to Apply

Note

• Only candidates who are shortlisted for the interview will be contacted.