Project Associate-Inclusive Conservation, Managing the Human Tiger Interface in Nepal

Our Mission:

At WWF Nepal, we firmly believe people and nature are inextricably linked. Our mission is to stop the degradation of our planet’s natural environment, and build a future Nepal in which people live in harmony with nature.

Our Vision:

From its origins as a small group of committed wildlife enthusiasts, WWF has grown into one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, active in over 100 countries.

Over this time, WWF’s focus has evolved from localized efforts in favor of a single species and individual habitats to an ambitious strategy to preserve biodiversity and achieve sustainable development across the globe.
 
WWF-Nepal envisions a prosperous Nepal, with an active and socially responsible citizenry that a greater sense of stewardship towards the environment. 

Our Core Values:

We celebrate and respect diversity in nature and among the people, partners, and communities with whom we work. Across the many cultures and individuals that represent WWF, we are unified by one mission, one brand, and one common set of values:

Courage: We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
Integrity: We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability, and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure we learn and evolve.
Respect: We honor the voices and knowledge of the people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
Collaboration: We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

Nepal’s Terai Arc Landscape has achieved remarkable success in tiger recovery, with numbers nearly tripling from 121 in 2009 to 355 in 2023. However, as a density-dependent species, dispersing sub-adult tigers are in frequent interactions with people and livestock. Consequently, human–tiger conflict is rising across Chitwan–Parsa, Bardia–Banke, and Shuklaphanta, particularly along park boundaries. Although the primary driver of conflict is a spatially expanding tiger population, habitat fragmentation, degraded grasslands, shrinking wetlands, and intense human activities compound the issue.

The project “Managing the Human–Tiger Interface in Nepal”, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE), Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, aims to advance human-wildlife coexistence efforts by building consensus and capacity for coexistence, reducing impacts of human-tiger conflict, and improving habitats for tigers. It does so through four components: (1) strengthening enabling conditions — improving national policy and municipal planning for conflict management and building frontline response capacity; (2) livelihoods support — engaging communities in social-behavior change, piloting faster and fairer relief and insurance, and supporting tiger-safe livelihood options; (3) habitat management — restoring grasslands and wetlands within park core zones to keep prey and tigers inside protected areas; and (4) knowledge exchange — documenting lessons and sharing them nationally and through the GEF-funded Global Wildlife Program. Together, these interventions aim to reduce conflict, benefit more than 121,000 people, and secure healthy tiger landscapes in Nepal.

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Associate-Inclusive Conservation will be responsible for the coordination and supervision of environment/social safeguarding related to the execution of the project. Responsibilities will include the execution of the Gender Action Plan, Process Framework (PF), and Indigenous People Planning Framework (IPPF) through the Indigenous People Plan (IPP).

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Planning

• Provide inputs to the Project Manager to ensure safeguards compliance with reference to IPPF/PF during project planning.
• Provide technical support to the project team in clarifying the principles, procedures, and organizational arrangements to apply the Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework (IPPF) and the Process Framework (PF) through any IPPs and LRPs
• Support field staff and sub-grantees during project planning and implementation, ensuring the rights of IPs to participate in and contribute to the project are respected
• Support in preparing a detailed Annual Work plan and Budget (AWP/B) that includes targets and key activities for the achievement of the project’s outputs and outcomes to ensure inclusion of GESI and safeguard activities as per the project's Gender Action Plan and ESMF.

2. Project Implementation & Monitoring

• Prepare, implement, and monitor the gender action plan, IPP, and environmental and social management plans based on the project result framework
• Prepare gender disaggregated database and monitoring indicators in coordination with MEL & Communications Officer.
• Provide overall support in mainstreaming gender and social inclusion issues in project implementation
• Support the Project Manager in monitoring decisions and recommendations made by GRC.
• Develop and establish the project-level GRM in line with the requirements laid out in the ESMF and work with the Project Officer to socialize it with all stakeholders.

3. Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC)

• In coordination with the Project Manager and the Project Officer, conduct yearly ESS Screenings to identify indigenous and local communities in the project areas
• Conduct meaningful consultation and design consent processes with indigenous peoples and local communities in the project areas and develop, in partnership with them, a process document outlining how the project will implement FPIC.
• Assess and evaluate various options and identify appropriate mitigation measures in partnership with any affected indigenous peoples and local communities.
• Support the Project Manager by leading the Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) process before annual project planning.

4. Coordination

• Coordinate with the PMU Office in providing feedback on safeguard compliance.
• Facilitate information flow on the project grievance mechanism to local Indigenous People’s Organizations, local Government, and Community-Based Organizations
• As a Member Secretary to the Grievance Readiness Committee (GRC), liaise with PMU to address the grievances, complaints, and suggestions received through GRM
• Coordinate with the WWF Nepal ESS and GESI Focal on monthly calls to ensure project level Safeguards and GESI work is following WWF standards and meet quarterly with the ESS Focal at the WWF US GEF Agency to share updates.

5. Reporting and Documentation

• Support the preparation of semi-annual and annual project progress reports (PPR) in relation to the implementation of the Gender Action Plan and ESMF.
• Ensure documentation of all safeguards-related activities, including Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM).
• Support the MEL & Communications Officer during Project Progress Reporting (PPR) in relation to safeguards components, specifically against IPP and LRP.

6. Capacity Building

• Develop the GESI & Safeguards training manual and provide coaching to stakeholders and targeted communities on gender, inclusion, and safeguards.
• Provide technical guidance and facilitate training, workshops, and seminars on GESI and safeguards.
• Build the capacity of local and provincial government agencies in the integration and implementation of GESI and safeguards measures in the implementation of project activities.

7. Communication

• Provide clear and transparent project-related information to project-affected people: Indigenous Peoples, their affiliated organizations, local communities, sub-grantees, and other key stakeholders

8. Other Duties

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the tasks that are anticipated proactively. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to the project's needs.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Working Relationship:

Internal: Works closely with PMU staff

External: Work closely with government officials, Community Based Organizations, Indigenous Peoples, their affiliated organizations, local communities, and other key stakeholders

Knowledge: Bachelor’s degree in Social work, Sociology, Anthropology, Applied Social Science, Environmental Science, or other related disciplines.

Experience: At least 3 years of experience in safeguard work or a related area. The individual should have sound knowledge of safeguard policies (National and GEF), Indigenous Peoples-related issues, gender and social inclusion, livelihood, conservation policies, and current development issues in Nepal. Experience working with field-based conservation and development initiatives, diverse community groups in various altitudinal gradients in the country, and government agencies is desirable.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent English and Nepali language skills. Working knowledge of one local language will be an added advantage.
• Excellent cross-cultural and people skills and ability to interact with locals, Indigenous Peoples, government officials, Community-Based Organizations, and NGO staff
• Skilled in the Microsoft Office package.
• Adaptive Management Skills.
• Strong communication, coordination, and facilitation skills
• Strong negotiation and analytical skills
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.

Interested applicants are requested to apply for the position by 17:00 hours on March 11, 2026.  Only shortlisted candidates will be informed. 

For more information and to apply, visit https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/WorldWildlifeFundInc1/nepal  

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

WWF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please join us in our mission to save life on Earth.