Project Officer - Sustainable Agriculture

WWF India’s conservation programme includes a priority focus on eight terrestrial landscapes located in diverse ecoregions. Conservation at the landscape scale involves working on various issues that directly and indirectly impact the landscape. This includes conservation-related issues (species and habitat management & and monitoring, addressing human-wildlife conflict, maintaining landscape connectivity, enhancing protection); social development (community empowerment, sustainable livelihoods); river basin management; climate change adaptation, as well as engaging with external drivers of land use change such as infrastructure development, agriculture production and extractives. Approaches include field implementation, research and monitoring, capacity building and institutional development, policy advocacy and engagement with multiple partners, including local communities, industries, government agencies and CSOs.

The Satpura Pench Corridor (SPC) connects Satpura and Pench Tiger Reserves in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The corridor has an area of approximately 4256 km2 and is a mosaic of forests and agriculture, with villages, towns, and mines dotted across the corridor and a network of roads and railway lines criss-crossing through it. This corridor has most of the drivers of conservation threats, including linear infrastructure, extractive industries, commercial agriculture expansion, and poaching pressures. Despite all the pressures mentioned, tigers and other large carnivores are still using this corridor and functionality has been established by recent studies. WWF India has been working on this corridor with a multi-pronged approach that includes engagement with the major coal mining sector for reducing impacts of mining, monitoring wildlife use of the corridor, occasional capacity building for field staff of forest divisions that form this corridor and promoting regenerative and wildlife friendly agriculture.

Agriculture Activities Implementation and Management:

• Support the team in establishing demonstration plots for Regenerative Agriculture (RA) and Wildlife-Friendly Agriculture Practices (WFAP) as per the prescribed Package of Practices, in close coordination with stakeholders.
• Conduct regular monitoring of RA and WFAP farms to track implementation and progress.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to the team on the adoption and implementation of RA and WFAP practices.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of community engagement, sustainable agriculture, conservation, and resource management initiatives.
• Ensure smooth and timely execution of project activities across all project locations.
• Assist the team in strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), promoting value addition and facilitating market linkages.
• Support the team in processes related to organic certification and compliance.
• Undertake any other tasks as required for effective project implementation.

Documentation & Knowledge Management :

• Support data collection using standardized templates and monitoring protocols to evaluate the impact of Regenerative Agriculture (RA) and Wildlife-Friendly Agriculture Practices (WFAP) interventions.
• Demonstrate proficiency in collecting, organizing, and analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data to track project progress and measure outcomes; utilize data visualization tools and analytical methods to generate actionable insights.
• Assist the team in developing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials and contributing to publications for journals and magazines.

Coordination & Stakeholder Management:

• Establish regular touch with partners to get data and advise partners as and when required. Maintain a good relationship with partners for seamless implementation. 
• Coordinate with District Administration, Divisional officials, civil society organizations, FPOs and other community-based groups to align efforts and resources for maximum impact.
• Work closely with WWF India’s field team in Nagpur and other Central India Landscape offices to design and implement activities, analyses, and documentation.
• Identification and building the capacity of local community leaders/animators to promote the regenerative agriculture practices and Wildlife Friendly Agriculture Practices within community.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s /Master’s degree is required, preferably in Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture, Agriculture Extension etc.
• At least one to two years of prior experience working directly with farming communities, specifically in agriculture-focused initiatives such as farmer mobilisation, sustainable farming practices, or FPO-related activities.
• Ability to compile and analyse field data, prepare clear and comprehensive reports, and present findings effectively.
• Proven experience in engaging with diverse stakeholders, including government departments and agencies, local NGOs, farmers, and communities.

• In-depth understanding of the socio-economic, environmental, and political context of rural communities and tribes in Central India.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, documentation, and reporting skills.
• Proficient in GIS mapping and PRA tools.
• Fluent in Hindi and English; knowledge of local demography is a plus.
• Skilled in Windows packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet).
• ​ Experienced in training and building the capacity of community mobilisers and institutions.