Project Coordinator—Asian Elephant Project (Western Ghats programme)

NCF’s Asian Elephant Project is a well reputed long-term research and conservation project being carried out in the Valparai and Hassan regions. The projects in the above regions are aimed at understanding ecology, behaviour, and conservation of elephants in human-dominated landscapes.

The position includes a three-month probationary period and would like the candidate to commit for a period of at least two years, with a possibility of further extension based on mutual agreement, performance, and the availability of funds. The position will be based at the field station in Kenchammana Hosakote in Alur Taluk of Hassan district in Karnataka and involves travel to the Mysore head office at regular intervals.

 The selected candidate will work alongside a team with diverse backgrounds and contribute to:

• Daily tracking of elephants

• Identifying individual elephants and herds

• Mapping and monitoring elephant movements

• Collecting and maintaining field data

• Implementing, maintenance and expansion of early warning systems

• Liasoning and interacting with different stakeholders such as plantation companies, farmers, local residents, forest department staff, panchayats, media and others

• Organising awareness and sensitisation programmes about elephants to help promote human-elephant coexistence with the above-mentioned stakeholders

• Conducting capacity building and training activities with Hassan Forest Division staff and regularly coordinating with the officials

Essential requirements

• At least two years of experience in dealing with on the ground conservation issues and working with local communities and government departments. 

• Ability to lead the teams on the ground, coordinate field activities, and be able to absorb work related pressures such as capture of elephants, strikes, people contacting us at odd times etc.

• The applicant must be able to speak, read and write Kannada and English

• Prior experience with field data collection in ecological, behavioural, and conservation research

• Delivery of project outputs such as documentation, training and workshops, publications;

• Experience with working in teams and project administration

 Desirable

• Candidates with either a Master's degree or higher experience with an understanding in ecology, forestry, or wildlife science

• Experience in GIS and statistical analysis

• Excellent written and spoken skills in Kannada and English

• Preparedness for challenging working conditions and enthusiasm for intensive fieldwork

• Should be willing to learn and carry out research projects with strong work ethics

• Should be able to accommodate and encourage other students/volunteers who would be interested to be part of the project activities

• Driving skills (two-wheeler and four-wheeler with a valid driver’s license)

• This position deals with sensitive conflict issues which need to be addressed with patience and empathy

We offer you a fulfilling full-time job, great field experience, opportunities for professional growth, and a chance at contributing to exciting research and conservation efforts. Salary/Consultancy will depend on your qualifications and experience, but roughly in the range of INR 35,000 to 50,000 per month.

 Application Procedure

Please send an application package to anand@ncf-india.org comprising (1) covering  letter; (2) updated CV; (3) your statement of purpose highlighting your interests and suitability for the advertised position (maximum: 500 words); and (4) names and email addresses of two referees. Please mention “Application: Project Coordinator, Asian Elephant Project, Western Ghats” in the subject line of your email.

Please apply by 31 December 2022; however, the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. The position is for Indian citizens only. NCF provides equal opportunities irrespective of gender, caste, creed, religion, region, economic background etc.  Women and those from under-represented groups or disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

For enquiries, email Ananda Kumar at anand@ncf-india.org.