Project Manager, Managing the Human Tiger Interface in Nepal

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.

The Project Manager will be responsible for supporting the National Project Director (Deputy Director General of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation) in the day-to-day management of the project. S/he will have overall responsibility for providing technical input in planning and implementing the project activities in Annual Work Plans (AWP). S/he will also coordinate with Government agencies, community-based organizations (CBOs), and other partners for effective delivery of project components. S/he will be stationed at the PMU office.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Planning

• Overall planning in close consultation with the National Project Director and WWF Nepal.
• Closely coordinate with project priority national parks (Chitwan, Parsa, and Bardiya) for planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of project interventions.
• Develop the Annual Workplan and budget (AWP/B) for endorsement by the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and coordinate with WWF GEF Agency where required.
• Facilitate the inception workshop, project-level periodic review, reflection and planning workshops, and annual/semi-annual PSC meetings.
• Support Municipalities and Rural Municipalities in their annual planning process for integration of human-wildlife coexistence strategies and actions.
• Responsible for the organization of the Kick-Off workshop and other project-level workshops/meetings

2. Implementation

• Provide technical guidance and achieve deliverables, assuring quality and standards of the project, including activities implemented under Technical Assistance.
• Oversee the preparation and disbursement of sub-grants according to the AWP/B, according to WWF GEF Operational Guidelines.
• Provide oversight for the effective implementation of activities implemented by the grantee/consultants.
• In close coordination with the Finance and Compliance Officer, ensure proper financial management and reporting.

3. Capacity Building

• Provide hands-on instruction and practical coaching directly supporting Park officials, municipalities, and other local stakeholders to plan and mainstream HWC issues.
• Provide technical expertise on forest product-based entrepreneurship and enterprise development.
• Provide on-the-ground coaching to increase Stakeholders’ capacity and provide training on HTC prevention and situation management.
• Build local stakeholders' capacity to identify challenges and opportunities in integrating human-wildlife coexistence approaches and interventions in planning and budgeting.

4. Technical Backstopping

• Provide technical expertise and guidance to ensure Buffer Zone communities are empowered and provided with livelihood options that reduce their dependence on forest resources and exposure to HTC.
• Ensure compliance with GEF and WWF project management procedures and standards, and adhere to the communications and branding policies.
• Ensure implementation of the Knowledge Management Plan, Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), Gender Action Plan, and ESMF in line with the WWF Environment and Social Safeguards.

5. Coordination

• Liaise between national parks, DNPWC, and MoFE as required for the implementation of activities.
• Coordinate with PSC, and federal/provincial/local government for effective project execution.
• Represent the project, as needed, at various meetings and workshops.

6. Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Reporting

• Ensure monitoring and evaluation requirements of the project, and ensure timely delivery of outputs and outcomes.
• Lead the periodic review and the progress of AWP/B, Gender Action Plan, Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and ESMF, including annual reflection workshops/meetings to identify lessons learned and potential adjustments in the AWP as a part of adaptive management.
• Implement, track and report the project’s M&E plan and Project Results Framework.
• Submit the six-monthly Project Progress Reports (PPRs) in line with the AWP/B to the PSC and WWF GEF Agency.
• Inform the PSC and the WWF GEF Agency of any delays and difficulties as they arise during the implementation to ensure timely corrective measures and support.
• Prepare the first draft of the Project Implementation Review (PIR) report and support the organization of the mid-term and final evaluations in close coordination with the National Project Director and WWF GEF Agency.
• Maintain documentation and evidence of project results as per agreement provisions and make it available to the WWF GEF Agency and designated auditors when requested.
• Ensure submission of periodical reports to the WWF GEF Agency.
• Support the WWF GEF agency in organizing mid-term and final evaluations.

7. Human Resource Management

• Supervises all (directly recruited or part-time consultants) project staff.
• In consultation with the National Project Director prepare TORs to recruit consultants and sub-contracts, seek WWF-GEF Agency approval where required.
• Conduct periodic performance evaluations for all project staff.
• Identify and implement staff capacity building needs ensuring gender and social inclusion aspects.

8. Other Duties

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the tasks that are anticipated proactively. Any other tasks may be assigned as necessary and outlined in the project operation manual.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Project Officer, Finance and Compliance Officer, MEL and Communications Officer, Gender, Social Inclusion and Safeguards Associate, Grantee/Consultants as required.

Working Relationship

Internal: Works closely with PMU staff

External: Interact frequently with existing government, non-government and civil society partners, consultants, and grantees.