Program Assistant-Inclusive Conservation

Under the supervision of the Senior Program Officer - Inclusive Conservation, the Program Assistant-Inclusive Conservation will support WWF Nepal’s efforts to promote equitable and inclusive conservation by advancing human rights-based approaches and strengthening Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities-led conservation initiatives. S/he will assist in assessing and identifying inclusion and equity-related issues and barriers within conservation programs and provide technical support to ensure that inclusive conservation approaches are effectively integrated across thematic areas. This work requires integrating insights into diverse community perspectives, cultural values, knowledge systems, and local approaches to conservation. S/he is also responsible for supporting to mainstream Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in all thematic areas, providing support to field staff and local partners during the project implementation. S/he will assist in ensuring that environmental and social safeguards are effectively applied throughout the project cycle.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Ensure the Environmental and Social Safeguard Framework (ESSF) at the organizational and project level

• Assist the ESSF screening and categorization process for WWF Nepal’s projects.
• Support in the implementation and monitoring of procedural safeguards standards, including the Stakeholder Engagement Plan and Grievance Mechanism at the landscape and project level.
• Support in implementation and monitoring the mitigation plans and/or Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP) at the project level.
• Lead the data generation and analysis during the project design phase for the integration of environmental and social safeguards standards.

2. Safeguards Quality Assurance and Risk Management

• Assist in the roll-out of ESSF compliance to grantees, sub-grantees, and implementing partners at project inception, including grievance redress mechanisms.
• Support the community-based partner organization (sub-grantees) in implementing, monitoring, and reporting on compliance with all ESSF requirements.

3. Support Implementation of GESI interventions

• Support in conducting GESI analysis and creating GESI action plans for projects, when/where needed
• Provide support/technical backstopping in the implementation of GESI interventions/action plans at the project level in close coordination with program/field teams.

4. Capacity Building

• Provide periodic training on Environmental and Social Safeguards to project implementing partner organizations (CSOs, CBOs, local NGOs).
• Support in periodic orientation sessions on WWF Statement of Principles, ESS safeguards, and FPIC process to field offices and relevant stakeholders such as community-based partner organizations, local civil society organizations, and Indigenous Peoples organizations.

5. Supporting Monitoring and Evaluation

• Assist in periodic project monitoring and evaluation from an inclusive conservation perspective at all levels (output, outcome, and impact) and provide feedback in close coordination with the MEL team.

6. Knowledge Management

• Support the MEL and Communications team in capturing success stories, results, and learning, as well as in finalizing publications for IC, ESSF, and GESI.

7. Technical Reporting

• Support in providing input for Technical Project Report (TPR) preparation in the context of lessons learned and adaptive management related to ESSF and Inclusive Conservation.

8. Other Duties

• This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively by staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.

Supervisory Responsibility: Supervises interns and consultants as and when necessary.

Working Relationships:

Internal: Works closely with all Program Units, Field offices, consultants, and researchers.

External: Interacts frequently with Local communities, Conservation partners, NGOs/CBOs.