Job Opportunity for Program Assistant at Dakshin Foundation in Tamil Nadu

Number of vacancies: One

Position: Programme Assistant

Last date to apply: September 30, 2022. The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified.

Location: The position will be based at field sites in coastal Tamil Nadu with regular travel to the head office in Bangalore. Accommodation and stay in the field sites will be at very modest field stations

Duration: One year (renewable subject to performance and availability of project funding)

Project details:

Some of the most problematic outcomes for coastal and marine systems are in the form of pollution (particularly from marine debris and plastics), degradation of coastal and marine habitats, and loss of livelihoods. The proposed project aims to address these three core challenges along the Palk Bay coastline (in select coastal villages spread across 4 coastal districts) through targeted and sustained engagements at the grassroots with small-scale marine fishing communities. Building on Dakshin’s context-based approach, the proposed project will pioneer on-ground activities that improve local community and environmental wellbeing through capacity-building, skill upgradation and facilitating on-ground action and partnerships.

The project aims to work closely with the community in creating livelihood diversification strategies through participatory approaches. The areas of engagement for the project will be a. initiating maritime based livelihood diversification for small-scale coastal entrepreneurs, b. exploring income-support potential in marine plastic debris value-chains c. help build diverse and resilient supplementary livelihood opportunities for coastal communities and d. addressing exclusions in the distribution of government entitlements and social security benefits. The project will facilitate linkages to coastal research institutions, government programmes, and private organisations and aim to provide livelihoods related mentorship for communities in the Palk bay area.

Chief responsibilities:

a) Conducting needs assessment and project feasibility research at the project sites towards co-creating village-level livelihoods roadmaps

b) Planning and executing specific interventions to address identified needs, including building partnerships with community members, SHGs, local NGOs, private organisations and government programmes.

c) Facilitating livelihoods workshops for networks of coastal youth and women on supplementary income strategies and livelihood diversification

d) Facilitate the implementation of a range of activities on the field including needs assessments, community workshops, trainings and workshops for networks of coastal youth and women, provide support to small-scale coastal enterprises (linking markets, credit, supplementary equipment and capital support).

e) Assisting in the development and production of research, reports, and content including outreach material and popular articles.

f) Supervising interns as needed.

Candidates with the following qualifications/skills will be preferred:

1. Good ability to engage with a team of diverse persons.

2. Ability to endure hard physical conditions in the field and ability to carry out time-bound reporting and communication with the project team and documentation.

3. A master’s degree or bachelor’s degree with one year relevant work experience in livelihood related projects or the development sector is preferred, but fresh graduates may also apply.

4. A good understanding of issues related to development, economic inclusion and livelihoods

5. Ability and commitment to working with rural marginalised communities.

6. Ability to independently organise meetings and undertake field logistics and coordination.

7. Spoken (and preferably written) proficiency in Tamil.

8. Women candidates are encouraged to apply for this position.

Remuneration: Commensurate with experience and Dakshin’s internal salary scales. Travel to and accommodation in the field will be covered by the project.

How to apply: Please email your interest in applying for the position to apply@dakshin.org with the subject line “Application for position of Programme Assistant, Livelihoods” and you will be sent an online form to fill in the details necessary to process your application.

About us:

Dakshin Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation based at Bangalore, India, with a mission to inform and advocate conservation and natural resource management, while promoting and supporting sustainable livelihoods, social development and environmental justice. Please look at our website to learn about our intervention and research projects at www.dakshin.org.