Project Head/Biologist

Job Category: Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC)

Location: CWRC, Bokakhat, Assam

Qualification: Master’s Degree in Biology (Required)

Experience: 9-10 Years (5 years’ experience in working with wildlife in the field. They should have at least 2 years’ experience of managing multi-personnel projects independently).

Role Context: The Centre Manager & Biologist at CWRC will be responsible for the overall smooth running of the centre on a day-day basis, upkeep and management of the Kaziranga Discover Park (KDP) and the development and implementation of the release and post-release monitoring plan for rehabilitated wildlife at CWRC. They will work in close coordination with the PI, DH, and Chief Ecologist at WTI and the concerned Forest Department in carrying out all assigned activities as per Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and WTI rules. They will ensure that CWRC/ WTI responds to wildlife in distress and that all rescued animals brought to the centre receive appropriate care and treatment, considering animal welfare and established protocols. They will release animals back to the wild following IUCN guidelines on translocation and re-introduction, and other best practice guidelines on management, rehabilitation, veterinary care and placement of confiscated or displaced wild animals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure smooth running of the Centre on a day-day basis, including overseeing procurement, staffing, HR management, facility management, animal welfare and reporting.

• Ensure rescued animals are provided appropriate rehabilitation pre-release and carry out appropriate post-release monitoring of released individuals following IUCN guidelines on translocation and re-introduction, and other best practice guidelines on management, rehabilitation, veterinary care and placement of confiscated or displaced wild animals.

• Ensure management of the facilities at the KDP including day-day upkeep and compliance with forest department regulations.

• Serve as Project Head-CWRC until further notice and undertake all responsibilities assigned to the position as per the project implementation plan (PIP).

• Guide and mentor Volunteers or interns at CWRC in collaboration with HR and their management.

Project Planning & Management:

• Develop annual work plan and budget for CWRC for developing PIPs.

• Develop annual work plan and budget for rehabilitation, release and post-release monitoring of rehabilitated wildlife in consultation with the veterinarian at CWRC for developing PIPs.

• Develop annual work plan and budget for KDP facility management.

• Ensure all activities are carried out as outlines under the approved PIP.

Fund & Financial Management:

• Ensure all procurement and payments are based on approved budgets and as per approved processes.

• Ensure proper documentation of all procurements and payments and submit bills, expenditure statements and regular updates to finance and administration department as per stipulated deadlines.

• Ensure CWRC is in compliance with all financial rules & regulations in consultation with Finance department.

Donor Co-ordination:

• In coordination with Development division and DH, liaise with donors in order to ensure smooth communication and financing of CWRC and relevant WTI projects.

• Draft reports and proposals for donors, forest department and other stakeholders as the case maybe and submit to DH.

• Ensure donor visibility and acknowledgement for respective projects in all WTI reports, events, media, and documentation.

• Work with Communications division to develop appropriate collaterals and media.

External Communication / Co-ordination:

• Liaise and coordinate with the FD Kaziranga NP, forest department, CZA and other government agencies in coordination with DH, Development and Communication division to ensure all statutory and other compliances for CWRC and provide regular updates and reports to FD Kaziranga NP/ forest department regarding CWRC activities.

• Liaise and coordinate with the FD Kaziranga NP, forest department and other government agencies in coordination with DH, RH, and PI to obtain requisite permissions for rescue, rehab and post-release monitoring of wildlife and any other relevant CWRC activities.

• Provide regular updates to Communications division on CWRC and rehabilitation and post-release monitoring of rescued wildlife, including high-quality photographs and videos of animal rescues, rehabilitation, release, post-release monitoring and other CWRC activities.

• Liaise with other institutions and organizations, including research, academic and conservation-oriented, to form partnerships and develop MoUs to enhance CWRC and WTI mission and activities.

• Ensure promotion of WTI and its activities at all national, international and other relevant forums, including through scientific and other publications.

MIS & Reports:

• Ensure proper documentation of all activities under the project and at CWRC, including regularly updating software and databases.

• Report on monthly, quarterly and annual basis on the activities & operations of the CWRC as well as post-release monitoring activities of rehabilitated wildlife.

Any other responsibilities:

• Other Division level responsibilities as may be assigned by DH/PI.

• Other responsibilities as may be assigned by WTI.

Roles and responsibilities of Project Head:

Project Implementation and Management:

• Monitoring of work undertaken by project partner/s as per set log-frame/Manage day-to-day activities of project as per set goals and objectives either directly or through on-ground project partners.

• Participate in planning meetings and provide inputs into the development of project implementation plans.

• Generation of financial statements of expenditures, project reports etc. in prescribed formats.

• Produce field reports (monthly, quarterly and annually/ as requested by Division Head).

• Ensure that the team is performing optimally.

• Liaising with West Bengal Forest Department and other local agencies to facilitate project implementation.

• Responsible for providing key inputs for draft to DH or PI for project proposals, donor reports and publication.

Financial:

• Manage project budgets as finalized in the PIPs.

• Scrutinize and forward cash flow and advance settlements to accounts/Division Head.

• Ensure all financial compliances are met.

Administrative:

• Ensure that field stations are and maintained to meet the project needs, as per the norms of the organization.

• Ensure a proper fixed asset register is maintained at the field station.

• Responsible for all field level governmental and partner liaisoning. Shall network with other NGOs, Government and local media in the area to see that the organizations interest and cause is promoted.

• Motivate teams to give quality results by promoting activities that encourage team building.

• Responsible for ensuring the respective projects in the field comply the requirement of the various statutory laws of the government, both state and central.

• Be responsible for review of performance/PMR of whole team as per the norms.

• Approve leave of absence of all staff under the project to HR, DH and PI.

Preferred experience: Experience in handling animals, radio-collaring and wildlife population monitoring is preferred.