Project Manager, Managing the Human Tiger Interface in Nepal at World Wildlife Fund, Inc.

Chitwan, Three, Nepal -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

21 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

20 Feb, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Project Management, Planning, Implementation, Monitoring, Reporting, Coordination, Capacity Building, Technical Guidance, Financial Management, Cross-cultural Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Facilitation, Communication, Mobilization, Analytical Skills, Adaptive Management

Industry

Non-profit Organizations

Description

Company Description WWF Nepal, the global conservation organization leading international efforts for a living planet, seeks applications from qualified Nepali candidates for the following full-time position. If you think you are an achiever and willing to work within a diverse team in a multicultural environment with commitment and passion for what you believe in, you are highly encouraged to apply. 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. Job Description 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. Qualifications Knowledge: Master’s degree in Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, Forestry, Environmental Science or related field. Experience: At least 10 years of experience in the field of conservation and environmental management, ideally in human-wildlife conflict management and wildlife conservation is required. Proven experience of working with government agencies, protected area authorities, and local communities, including in multi-stakeholder or multi-level governance contexts is mandatory. Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing integrated HWC interventions, including prevention, mitigation, response, and community engagement approaches are necessary. Experience in managing similar, complex, multi-stakeholder projects and leading a large team is required. Experience of delivering technical and financial reporting to donor agencies is required. Knowledge of WWF Project and Program Management Standards, and GEF projects is desired. Experience of working in national GEF Projects will be an added advantage. Skills and Abilities: Project Management Skill. Excellent English and Nepali language skills. Skilled in Microsoft office package. Excellent cross-cultural, inter-personal skills. Adaptive management skills. Strong facilitation, communication, coordination, and mobilization skills. Strong analytical skills. Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team. Additional Information Interested applicants are requested to apply for the position by 17:00 hours on March 5, 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be informed. Please do not click on "Apply with Indeed" button once you start the application process. 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.

Responsibilities

The Project Manager will support the National Project Director in daily project management, providing technical input for planning and implementing activities outlined in the Annual Work Plans. This role involves coordinating with government agencies, CBOs, and partners to ensure effective delivery across all project components.