Head Director National Conservation Programme

WWF-India; India; On-site; INR 3,000,000 - 5,000,000; Full time

Job summary

WWF-India is seeking a Director to lead the National Conservation Programme (NCP). The role, based in New Delhi, oversees Raptor Conservation Programme and Conservation Catalyst Programme, coordinating with state offices and government partners.

Requires 15+ years in conservation, strategic leadership, and strong English communication. You will shape strategic priorities, manage budgets and reports, and mentor teams across states.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in ornithology, ecology, wildlife, environment or biology.
• At least 15 years of experience in conservation or related area.
• Ability to design and implement strategies and programmes independently.
• Experience in managing teams and working collaboratively.
• Ability to drive high-level discussions with stakeholders, including government departments, scientific institutions and NGOs.
• Strong written and spoken communication skills in English, with knowledge of any regional language.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic vision and leadership for the raptor conservation programme to establish WWF-India as a leader in the raptor conservation space.
• Manage and build the raptor conservation team in the Secretariat and landscapes.
• Support implementation of innovative and scientific approaches for raptor conservation.
• Ensure timely data analysis and report publication and coordinate outreach activities.
• Coordinate with stakeholders as required for the long-term survival of threatened raptors including government and civil society partners
• Collaborate with the central and state governments to support policies that might have immediate or long-term effects on the conservation of vultures and other raptors and their habitats
• Lead the preparation of half-yearly technical & financial reports and scientific publications for RCP.
• Keep track of the finances of the RCP including budgeting and adaptive management.
• Continue development and evolution of the strategy for CCP to achieve the larger objective of strengthening small, grassroots conservation organizations.
• Work with the CCP team to coordinate with grantees, develop and implement capacity building approaches.
• Assess grant proposals for technical quality, feasibility, and alignment with organizational priorities
• Oversee grant disbursement schedules, compliance with financial and procurement norms, and timely submission of narrative and financial reports by grantees.
• Provide technical backstopping to grantees, including advice on project design, field methodologies, data management, and communication of results.
• Coordinate periodic field reviews and audits of grant‑supported projects; document lessons learned, success stories, and scalable models for integration into WWF-India’s wider programmes.
• Compile programme‑level synthesis reports on the CCP, highlighting contributions to biodiversity conservation in the country

Skills

Strategic leadership

Team management

Stakeholder engagement

English communication

Education

PhD in ornithology/ecology/wildlife/environment/biology

Job description

Job Description:

Background

WWF India is consolidating its National Conservation Programme to strengthen and deepen its engagement and outreach on key conservation issues of national importance. The Director, NCP will help to strategise and lead theprogramme, building on the current initiatives.

Initially, the NCP will bring together WWF India’s work on raptorconservation, small grants and conservation initiatives being run out of our State Office network. Future directions and new initiatives can also be developed based on strategic priorities and funding opportunities. The NCP will complement and work in synergy with other WWF India programmes including wildlife & landscape conservation; freshwater & wetland conservation and coastal & marine conservation.

The role's core responsibilities will initially be focused around managing the Raptor Conservation Programme which brings together science, innovation and stakeholder engagement to design and implement high-priority interventions for vultures, other threatened raptors, and their habitats. The Director, NCP will also be responsible for the management of the Conservation Catalyst Programme which channels targeted small-grant resources and technical mentorship to local partners for conservation of lesser-known, threatened species & habitats. Providing strategic & technical support and coordinating the conservation activities undertaken by WWF India’s branch offices in different states will also be a core responsibility. In addition, as a senior member of the WWF India conservation programme team, the Director, NCP will also be expected to contribute to the larger strategic vision and conservation priorities of the organisation.

He/she should be a strategic, dynamic, resourceful and organised conservation professional. This senior leader must have at least ten years of experience managing field conservation and research projects. Experience in raptor or avian ecology would be an added advantage. This role will be based at the WWF-India Secretariat in New Delhi and will report to senior management at WWF-India.

Roles & Responsibilities

RAPTOR CONSERVATION PROGRAMME (RCP)

• Provide strategic vision and leadership for the raptor conservation programme to establish WWF-India as aleader in the raptor conservation space.
• Manage and build the raptor conservation team in the Secretariat and landscapes.
• Support implementation of innovative and scientific approaches for raptor conservation.
• Ensure timely data analysis and report publication and coordinate outreach activities.
• Coordinate with stakeholders as required for the long-term survival of threatened raptors including government and civil society partners
• Collaborate with the central and state governments to support policies that might have immediate or long-term effects on the conservation of vultures & other raptors and their habitats
• Lead the preparation of half-yearly technical & financial reports and scientific publications for RCP.
• Keep track of the finances of the RCP including budgeting and adaptive management.

CONSERVATION CATALYST PROGRAMME (CCP)

• Continue development and evolution of the strategy for CCP to achieve the larger objective of strengthening small, grassroots conservation organizations.
• Work with the CCP team to coordinate with grantees, develop and implement capacity building approaches.
• Assess grant proposals for technical quality, feasibility, and alignment with organizational priorities
• Oversee grant disbursement schedules, compliance with financial and procurement norms, and timely submission of narrative and financial reports by grantees.
• Provide technical backstopping to grantees, including advice on project design, field methodologies, data management, and communication of results.
• Coordinate periodic field reviews and audits of grant‑supported projects; document lessons learned, success stories, and scalable models for integration into WWF-India’s wider programmes.
• Compile programme‑level synthesis reports on the CCP, highlighting contributions to biodiversity conservation in the country

STATE AND BRANCH OFFICES

• Provide strategic oversight to WWF-India State and Branch offices to ensure alignment with WWF-India’s conservation strategy, annual work plans, and compliance requirements
• Support state and branch teams in planning, implementing, and monitoring biodiversity conservation projects
• Establish and periodically review branch‑level performance indicators (e.g. project delivery milestones,takeholder and partner engagement, financial utilisation, reporting quality) and support course‑correction where needed
• Facilitate cross‑learning between branches and landscape programmes

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent in the field of ornithology/ecology/wildlife/environment/biology.
• At least 15 years’ experience in the field of conservation or a related area.
• Ability to design and implement strategies and programmes independently.
• Experience in managing teams and working collaboratively.
• Ability to drive high-level discussions with stakeholders, including government departments, scientific institutions and NGOs.
• Strong written and spoken communication skills in English, with knowledge of any regional language.

Last date for application - 2 October 2026

WWF-India is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from women and diverse candidates.