IUCN, as a consortium partner under the GIZ-funded project to ‘Restore, Conserve and Protect Forest and Tree Cover for NDC Implementation in India (RECAP4NDC)’ has embarked on an initiative focused on FLR. The project's implementation will span across four states: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Delhi NCR. Among other objectives, the project will strive to implement the FLR activities spread across 150000 ha.

IUCN aims to initiate, design, and execute forest landscape restoration (FLR) initiatives in selected areas, ensuring ecological, socio-economic, governance, and climate-related benefits are distributed to stakeholders. The project has specific objectives, including identifying model sites for FLR approaches, creating Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for 12 model sites and operational plans for 6 pilot sites through participatory processes, implementing FLR measures for restoring degraded and deforested areas, formulating Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) for each model site, providing capacity-building support for stakeholders involved in FLR planning and implementation, and documenting lessons learned from FLR initiatives.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Based in Nagpur, the position will support the Senior Programme Officer and Programme Manager in the implementation of the project ‘Restore, Conserve and Protect Forest and Tree Cover for NDC Implementation in India (RECAP4NDC)’ in Maharashtra and also support in developing new engagements under the FLR theme.

Overall responsibilities of the position:

1. Manage, coordinate and monitor all project activities in the state as outlined in the agreement between donor and IUCN and subsequent revisions agreed upon by donor and IUCN.
2. Work in close coordination with the consultants and partner NGOs in the state and provide necessary information/support for the implementation of the project.
3. Develop the quarterly, yearly and special reports on ongoing activities in the state.
4. Develop and align self workplan with project activities.
5. Engage with various stakeholders such as state forest department and other line departments, partner NGOs, local institutions, communities, etc. in the course of implementation of the project in the state.
6. Liaison with other consortium partners (GIZ, FSI, TERI, ICIMOD & ICFRE) for smooth execution of the project in the state.


SPECIFIC DUTIES:

7. Lead the implementation of the project in the state (Maharashtra) with support from and in close collaboration with other members of FLR team based in New Delhi and other states.
8. Work closely with consultants & partner NGOs to ensure effective implementation of project activities on the ground.
9. Monitor the progress of consultants & partner NGOs and ensure timely outputs from them.
10. Ensure that the activities on the ground are carried out within the estimated and approved budgets.
11. Identify appropriate stakeholders for the project implementation.
12. Conduct literature review on various ecological, socio-economic, governance, and climate-related aspects related to the project planning and implementation in the state.
13. Conduct and monitor on-site meetings/surveys with project stakeholders on various aspects (such as baseline data, risks, conflict potential, etc.) for the implementation of the project in the state.
14. Develop necessary questionnaire for the surveys/meetings.
15. Help organize and develop necessary materials for project related events.
16. Gather the necessary information (such as data, maps, shapefiles, reference reports, development plans) from project stakeholders.
17. Coordinate field activities and support in development of Detailed Project Reports (DPR) and operational plans for implementing FLR measures on the ground. Ensure that these plans are aligned with state priorities and integrate national and international commitments.
18. Coordinate and assist the consultant(s) towards formulation of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) for model sites.
19. Provide regular updates from the field.
20. Prepare quarterly state level progress report.
21. Coordinate and support field visits, meetings, and assist with logistics as needed.
22. Ensure that documentation for each component within the state is appropriately maintained and digitized.
23. Present progress and findings of the project at any scheduled internal/external meetings as required.
24. Perform any other duties as requested by the line manager.

Please Note: The above TOR contains the main responsibilities and duties of this position. However, in an ever evolving organisation such as IUCN staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which are not part of their regular TOR. Where any task becomes a regular part of staff member’s responsibilities, the TOR shoulfd be changed in consultation between the manager, the staff member and the HR Unit. Any one of the three may initiate the consultation.