Chief of Party for a Forestry and Sustainable Landscapes program in India

Job Description

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Chief of Party for a Forestry and Sustainable Landscapes program in India

Effective with the release of this announcement, Winrock International is recruiting applicants for the position of Chief of Party for an anticipated multi-year USAID-funded forestry and sustainable landscapes program in India. The program is expected to focus on accelerating India’s transition to a low emissions economy by targeting the forestry and land use sector to take REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) actions to scale. The position is expected to be based in New Delhi, India. The responsibilities, duties, and qualifications are described in the attached position description. Indian citizens are encouraged to apply.

Position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding.

GENERAL:

Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources. By linking local individuals and communities with new ideas and technology, Winrock is increasing long-term productivity, equity, and responsible resource management to benefit the poor and disadvantaged of the world.

SALARY & BENEFITS:

The salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits.

APPLICATIONS:

Applicants should go to the “Jobs” link at www.winrock.org and submit a current resume and cover letter referencing “India Forestry COP” by November 1, 2011.

Winrock would like to graciously thank all applicants for their interest but only candidates who meet all requisite criteria and are short listed will be contacted.

EEOE/AA.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Chief of Party, India Forestry and Sustainable Landscapes Program

LOCATION: New Delhi, India

UNIT: Forestry & Natural Resource Management

REPORTS TO: Director, FNRM Unit

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

Winrock is seeking dynamic, highly-qualified Chief of Party candidates for an anticipated multi-year USAID-funded forestry and sustainable landscapes program in India. The program is expected to focus on accelerating India’s transition to a low emissions economy by targeting the forestry and land use sector to take REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) actions to scale.

Program activities will be closely coordinated with the Government of India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests, state and local governments, and local communities in an effort to engage key stakeholders at all institutional levels that can create an enabling environment with strong capacity for REDD+ implementation. Program assistance will cover four main areas:

1. Developing and deploying scientific tools and methods for improved ecosystem management and carbon sequestration, forest carbon inventory and reference baselines;
2. Designing modalities/ programs for providing better incentives to forest-dependent communities for promoting REDD+ activities ;
3. Addressing sectorial barriers; and
4. Enhancing human and institutional capacity.

Position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate with USAID and counterpart government to identify priority issues, and ensure program activities complement national, sub-national, and local priorities.
• Identify promising and innovative opportunities for further development within the program.
• Provide overall technical leadership to achieve the results of the project.
• Provide supervision, support, and direction to long- and short-term staff.
• Monitor program indicators, evaluate program results and make recommendations for improvement in program implementation.
• Analyze project impact and challenges to adaptively manage the project to meet or exceed results.
• Ensure women and marginalized groups are beneficiaries of the project.
• Prepare annual work plans and progress reports, and monitor the implementation of these plans.
• Establish contacts with partners and clients to ensure coordinated implementation of project activities and represent the Winrock Team at key meetings.
• Interact directly and on a regular basis with USAID to coordinate program direction with USAID strategic goals.
• Participate in regular field visits to the project areas to assure project progress towards activity objectives and goals.
• Manage relationships with complementary USAID and other donor projects.
• Coordinate and communicate on a regular basis with Winrock’s Home Office.

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:

Education: Advanced degree in natural resource management, forestry, natural science, resource economics, agriculture, or other relevant international development field

Work Experience:

• § Minimum 10 years experience managing complex international development programs required.
• § COP experience on USAID-funded environmental, conservation, forestry, or livelihoods projects is strongly preferred.
• § Must have previous experience working on development programs within the context of REDD+, global climate change and sustainable landscapes.
• § Experience working to build institutional capacity of government counterparts at the national and/or local level.
• § Technical and managerial experience in India is strongly preferred.

Skills:

• § Technical understanding of REDD+ and international carbon markets.
• § Energetic and dynamic approach to building partnerships and promoting innovative program initiatives.
• § Ability to diplomatically supervise staff and coordinate programs with partners from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
• § Ability to build coalitions and networks that can provide synergies and sustainable solutions for REDD+ and improved forest management issues.
• § Must be comfortable in high-level representational role as well as actively interacting with beneficiaries.
• § Excellent management, communication, and organization skills are required.
• § Excellent computer skills (word-processing, spreadsheets, and databases) are required.

Other: Fluency in English is required. Expertise in Hindi is a plus.