Job Opportunity for Senior Program Associate at Dakshin Foundation in Bengaluru

Number of vacancies: One

Position: Senior Programme Associate

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

Location: The position requires the individual to be based at Bengaluru but will involve considerable travel to the specific field sites in coastal Tamil Nadu and other maritime states. 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) Assist in the development of a programme that links livelihoods, community wellbeing and environment, for fishing and coastal communities at select sites including the Palk Bay area, Tamil Nadu.

b) Development of field strategies and their implementation at different sites – this includes tracking and monitoring of project activities and deliverables, work with the field team to ensure timely completion of activities and timely reporting to team leads.

c) Work closely with our field partners and collaborators, build strategic partnerships with community members, SHGs, local NGOs, private organisations and government programmes.

d) Facilitate and supervise 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 with fundraising activities towards furthering the livelihoods programme at Dakshin.

Candidates with the following qualifications/skills will be preferred:

1. Excellent demonstrable coordination and project management skills.

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

3. Ability to endure hard field conditions

4. Ability to carry out time-bound reporting and communication with the project team and documentation.

5. Excellent written and presentation skills in English (editing, formatting and presentation)

6. A master’s degree or bachelor’s degree with relevant work experience in livelihoods related projects or the development sector is preferred. Work experience of at least 2-3 years demonstrating independent thinking and execution of projects in the environment or development sector

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

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

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

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

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

Remuneration: Commensurate with experience and Dakshin’s internal salary scales. Outstanding and deserving candidates will be paid in the higher range of our salary scales at rates that are competitive within the sector. 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 Senior Programme Associate, 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