Project Assistant-Inclusive Conservation, MaWRiN Project

The Managing Watersheds for Enhanced Resilience of Communities to Climate Change in Nepal (MaWRiN) Project is being implemented in the Marin watershed, which covers two major rivers, i.e., Marin and Kyan in Sindhuli district. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) managed Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) to be implemented over a period of six years by WWF in close association with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment (MoAFE) as the National Executing Agency and Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forests and Environment of Bagmati Province as the Project Executing Partner. The project will enable the government and local stakeholders to invest in protecting the Marin watershed while bolstering the longer-term resilience of local and indigenous communities against climate emergencies.

The objective of the project is “to enhance climate resilience of Indigenous people and local communities in the Marin watershed (partly/fully covering the area of Kamalamai municipality, Marin rural municipality, Ghyanglekh rural municipality, and Hariharpurgadhi rural municipality) through nature-based solutions and livelihood improvement.” The project’s objective will be achieved through the following three inter-connected components:

• Component 1 : Enabling environment for mainstreaming climate change through development of capacity of the municipalities and other key local agencies to assess and understand climate risks and vulnerabilities, and accordingly mainstream climate change adaptation strategies and actions in local policies and plans. Also, through the establishment of a multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue and coordinated actions on climate change adaptation at the watershed level.
• Component 2 : Enhanced Resilience of Local Communities to Climate Change through a) community-based natural resource management such as community identification of adaptation interventions, support and demonstration of sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture and livestock practices, improved water management, strengthened management of community and leasehold forests, and b) Nature-based Solutions that reduce climate impacts and risks.
• Component 3 : Monitoring, evaluation and knowledge management, through tracking of project progress on a regular basis; garnering and analysis of lessons and good practices; and development and dissemination of knowledge that reinforces project results from components 1 and 2, providing a sound basis for their replication, adaptation and sustainability.

A Project Management Unit (PMU) has been set up at Kamalamai Municipality, Shantinagar, Sindhuli Madi, Sindhuli. The main functions of the PMU are to (i) oversee fiduciary arrangements, (ii) ensure overall efficient management, coordination, timely implementation of the agreed project work plan/result framework including the Environment and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and related Safeguard plans, (iii) operational oversight of implementation activities, (iv) timely reporting, and for effective use of GEF/LDCF resources for the approved work plan and (v) monitoring of the project. The PMU will also serve as the secretariat to the project coordination committee and multi-stakeholder dialogue and action platform.

Under the direct supervision of the Technical Team Leader, the Project Assistant-Inclusive Conservation will be responsible for the coordination and supervision of environmental and social safeguarding related to the execution of the project. Responsibilities will include Environmental and Social Safeguards Screening and Mitigation Plan Preparation, the execution of the Gender Action Plan, Process Framework (PF), and Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework (IPPF) through the Indigenous Peoples Plan (IPP). Approximately 70% of the position's time will be dedicated to field-based implementation, monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and compliance with environmental and social safeguard requirements.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Planning

• Provide inputs to the Technical Team Leader to ensure safeguards compliance with reference to ESMF and IPPF/PF during project activities planning.
• Provide technical support to the PMU team in understanding the principles, procedures, and organizational arrangements to apply IPPF and PF through any IPPs and Livelihood Restoration Plans (LRPs).
• Engage in local communities, government, and stakeholders' planning processes to integrate Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and safeguards provisions and share project best practices and learning.
• Support field staff and cost centers during project planning, ensuring the rights of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) to participate in and contribute to the project are respected.
• Support in preparing a detailed Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP/B) that includes targets and key activities for the achievement of the project’s outputs and outcomes to ensure integration of GESI and safeguard activities as per the project's Gender Action Plan and ESMF.

1. Project Implementation & Monitoring

• Prepare, implement, and monitor the gender action plan, IPP, and environmental and social management plans based on the annual ESS screening and project result framework.
• Prepare a gender-disaggregated database, budget, and monitoring indicators in coordination with Finance and MEL & Communications Officer.
• Provide overall support in mainstreaming safeguards, gender and social inclusion issues in project implementation and monitoring.
• Support the Technical Team Leader in monitoring decisions and recommendations made by the Grievances Redress Committee (GRC).
• Implement and socialize the established project-level Grievances Redress Mechanisms (GRM) in line with the requirements laid out in the ESMF and work with the PMU team.

1. Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)

• In coordination with the Technical Team Leader and the PMU team, conduct yearly ESS Screenings to identify environmental and socio-economic impacts on indigenous and local communities from the project area's activities.
• Conduct meaningful consultation and facilitate the FPIC process with potentially affected Indigenous Peoples from project interventions and develop, in partnership with them, a process document outlining how the project will implement FPIC.
• Assess and evaluate various options and identify appropriate mitigation measures in partnership with any affected Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
• Support the Technical Team Leader by leading the FPIC facilitation process before annual project planning.

1. Coordination

• Coordinate with the PMU team in providing feedback on safeguard compliance.
• Facilitate information flow on the project grievance mechanism to cost centers, local Indigenous People’s Organizations, local Government, and Community-Based Organizations
• Liaise with the PMU team to address the grievances, complaints, and suggestions received through GRM
• Coordinate with the WWF Nepal ESS and GESI Focal on monthly calls to ensure project-level Safeguards and GESI work is following WWF standards and meet quarterly with the ESS Focal at the WWF US GEF Agency to share updates.

1. Reporting and Documentation

• Support the preparation of semi-annual and annual project progress reports (PPR) in relation to the implementation of the Gender Action Plan and ESMF.
• Ensure documentation of all safeguards-related activities, including Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM).
• Support the MEL & Communications Officer during Project Progress Reporting (PPR) in relation to safeguards components, specifically against IPP and LRP.

1. Capacity Building

• Develop the GESI & Safeguards training manual and provide coaching to stakeholders and targeted communities on gender, inclusion, and safeguards.
• Provide technical guidance and facilitate training, workshops, and seminars on GESI and safeguards.
• Build the capacity of local and provincial government agencies in the integration and implementation of GESI and safeguards measures in the implementation of project activities.

1. Communication

• Provide clear and transparent project-related information to project-affected people: Indigenous Peoples, their affiliated organizations, local communities, sub-grantees, and other key stakeholders.

1. Other Duties

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the tasks that are anticipated proactively. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to the project's needs.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Working Relationship

Internal: Works closely with PMU staff

External: Work closely with existing government, non-government and civil society partners, consultants, and grantees.

Knowledge : Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Anthropology, Applied Social Science, Environmental Science, Forestry, or other related disciplines

Experience :   At least 1 year of experience in safeguards and GESI work or a related area. The individual should have sound knowledge of safeguard policies (National and GEF), Indigenous Peoples-related issues, gender and social inclusion, livelihood, conservation policies, and current development issues in Nepal. Experience working with field-based conservation and development initiatives, diverse community groups in various altitudinal gradients in the country, and government agencies is desirable.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent English and Nepali language skills. Working knowledge of one local language will be an added advantage.
• Excellent cross-cultural and people skills and ability to interact with locals, Indigenous Peoples, government officials, Community-Based Organizations, and NGO staff
• Skilled in the Microsoft Office package.
• Adaptive Management Skills.
• Strong communication, coordination, and facilitation skills
• Strong negotiation and analytical skills
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.

• Interested applicants are requested to apply for the position by 17:00 hours on August 5, 2026 .  Only shortlisted candidates will be informed.
• 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.