The Lead-Raptor Conservation will play a crucial role in positioning and enhancing the visibility of WWF-India’s raptor conservation work amongst a diverse group of external audience. He/she should be a strategic, dynamic, resourceful and organized conservation professional with a strong background in raptor conservation or similar fields. This senior leader will need to have at least ten years’ experience of in managing field conservation and research projects. Experience of working with raptors would be an added advantage. The Lead will have to advance the strategy and implement it for the raptor conservation project with WWF-India in Terai, Central India, Western Ghats Nilgiris, and Brahmaputra landscapes. This role will also have to manage critical partnerships with central government ministries, state government departments, agencies, research institutions and other NGOs. The Lead will be based at the WWF-India Secretariat, New Delhi or any other landscape office of WWF-India, and will report to the Senior Director of Biodiversity Conservation at WWF-India.

Job Responsibilities

RAPTOR CONSERVATION STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT & IMPLEMENTATION

•  Lead and strategize raptor conservation programme for WWF-India for three to five years along with stakeholders.
•  Supervise the team in the Secretariat & landscapes for implementing the raptor conservation project, with special reference to vultures in the Terai, Central India and Brahmaputra Landscapes including developing protocols for field surveys and monitoring.
•  Lead innovative and scientific approaches, cutting-edge data analyses, and timely report publication to establish WWF-India on the raptor conservation space in the country.
•  Promote the integration of advanced scientific tools and approaches in raptor research and conservation in the landscapes.
•  Coordinate with the teams and stakeholders in putting together conservation actions required for ensuring long-term survival of vultures and other threatened raptors in select landscapes.
•  Collaborate with the federal and state governments to support their policies that might have immediate or long-term effects on the conservation of vultures & other raptors and their habitats.
•  Assess the project requirements and recruit additional personnel in the field as needed.

NETWORKING, COMMUNICATION & MONITORING

•  Liaison with the government and civil society partners for Raptor Conservation Programme implementation and related policy advocacy. d8za8aP DTNvgO
•  Lead the preparation of half-yearly technical & financial reports, and scientific publications.
•  Coordinate the Raptor Exhibition and similar outreach activities in the country.
•  Prepare communications assets for addressing the conservation requirements of raptors.
•  Develop protocols for measuring the impacts of WWF-India’s raptor conservation actions, with special reference to vultures, as undertaken by the field teams and monitor key indicators to keep track of the progress of program implementation in select landscapes.
•  Keeping track of the finances of the Raptor Conservation Programme with assistance from the finance managers of the programme/ landscapes.

Job Requirements

Desired Qualifications and Experience

•  Ph.D. or equivalent in the field of ornithology/ ecology/ wildlife/ environment/ biology
•  At least 10 years’ experience in raptor or bird research or conservation
•  Ability to design and implement research projects independently
•  Current knowledge of the status and issues related to raptor conservation in India

Desired Skills & Abilities

•  Demonstrated ability to lead conservation projects, teamwork and collaborations with stakeholders
•  Strong written and spoken communication skills in English, with knowledge of any regional language