Job Opportunity for Associate Director – Sunderbans Programme at WWF-India in Kolkata, India

## Associate Director – Sunderbans Programme

**WWF-India** is one of the largest organizations engaged in wildlife and nature conservation in India, with a rich history spanning over 50 years. We are committed to conserving the natural world for the benefit of people and nature. 

We are seeking a passionate and experienced individual to join our team as **Associate Director – Sunderbans Programme** in **Kolkata, India**.

**About the Role:**

The Associate Director will be responsible for leading and managing WWF-India’s Sunderbans Programme, a critical initiative focused on protecting the unique biodiversity of the Sunderbans mangrove ecosystem. This role will involve:

* **Strategic Leadership:** Developing and implementing the strategic direction of the Sunderbans Programme, ensuring alignment with WWF-India’s overall conservation goals.

* **Programme Management:** Overseeing all aspects of the programme, including project planning, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation.

* **Team Management:** Leading and motivating a team of dedicated conservation professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.

* **Stakeholder Engagement:** Building and maintaining strong relationships with government agencies, local communities, NGOs, and other stakeholders.

* **Fundraising and Resource Mobilization:** Identifying and securing funding opportunities to support the programme’s activities.

* **Advocacy and Policy Engagement:** Engaging in advocacy efforts to influence policy decisions that impact the Sunderbans ecosystem.

* **Communication and Reporting:** Communicating the programme’s progress and achievements to internal and external audiences.

**Responsibilities:**

* Develop and implement a comprehensive conservation strategy for the Sunderbans Programme, aligning with WWF-India’s strategic priorities.

* Lead and manage a team of conservation professionals, providing guidance, mentorship, and support.

* Oversee project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, ensuring effective use of resources and achieving desired outcomes.

* Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, NGOs, and private sector partners.

* Identify and secure funding opportunities to support the programme’s activities, ensuring financial sustainability.

* Engage in advocacy efforts to influence policy decisions that impact the Sunderbans ecosystem, promoting sustainable management practices.

* Prepare and disseminate reports on the programme’s progress and achievements to internal and external audiences.

* Stay abreast of emerging conservation issues and best practices, incorporating new knowledge and approaches into the programme.

**Qualifications:**

* Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Conservation Biology, Forestry, or a related field.

* Minimum 10 years of experience in leading and managing conservation programmes, preferably in mangrove ecosystems.

* Proven track record of developing and implementing successful conservation strategies.

* Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience in motivating and developing staff.

* Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.

* Experience in fundraising and resource mobilization, including grant writing and donor engagement.

* Knowledge of advocacy and policy engagement processes, with the ability to influence decision-making.

* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess and manage risks.

* Fluency in English and Bengali is essential.

**This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in the conservation of one of the world’s most important mangrove ecosystems. If you are a passionate and experienced conservation professional, we encourage you to apply.**