Senior Manager – Operations (Urban Biodiversity)

Farmers for Forests Inc.; Nagpur District; On-site; INR 2,400,000 - 4,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Farmers for Forests Inc. (F4F) in Nagpur is seeking a Senior Manager – Operations (Urban Biodiversity) to lead government liaisoning, permissions and site readiness for urban biodiversity initiatives.

The role requires close coordination with municipal and forest authorities and field teams to ensure timely project delivery. The candidate will manage land-use approvals, maintain records, and build sustained relationships with officials, while coordinating with internal teams for site surveys and

Qualifications

• Preferably based in Nagpur with familiarity with local administration.
• Experience in government liaisoning and public-authority coordination.
• Ability to independently draft official correspondence and follow-ups.
• Fluency in Marathi and Hindi; English proficiency preferred for emails and documentation.
• Willingness for local travel and field reporting; exposure to forestry or urban greening is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with government bodies and obtain permissions, land-use approvals.
• Prepare and submit letters, proposals, and documentation; maintain records.
• Attend meetings, record minutes, track commitments and deadlines.
• Coordinate site readiness, vendor coordination, and on-ground execution.
• Submit weekly updates on approvals, milestones, and risks.

Skills

Government liaison

Stakeholder coordination

Documentation

Project coordination

Site visits

Tools

Excel/Google Sheets

Job description

Senior Manager – Operations (Urban Biodiversity)

F4F is a Hybrid Social Enterprise working to protect and increase India’s biodiverse forest cover in close collaboration with rural communities. Founded in December 2019, F4F is one of the few organizations in India working in the forestry sector and using a payment-for-ecosystem services model for its environmental protection and restoration activities.

We have also featured on DW TV and Scroll's Eco India series as well as DW Hindi . We have also been selected as one of India's top innovators working in the ecosystem restoration and conservation sector by the World Economic Forum .

Job Description

Role Overview

Farmers for Forests (F4F) is seeking an experienced Nagpur-based professional to coordinate Urban Biodiversity Hub initiatives, work closely with government authorities and ensure that permissions, land and site-related requirements are addressed in a timely manner. The role involves regular engagement with public departments, documentation, stakeholder coordination and support for smooth on-ground project delivery.

Government Liaisoning, Permissions & Stakeholder Coordination

• Act as F4F’s principal point of contact with relevant government bodies, including the Municipal Corporation, Forest Department, district administration, development authorities, Gram Panchayats and other concerned agencies.
  
• Identify all project-specific permissions, NOCs, approvals, land-use or site-access clearances, and any required renewals; prepare an approval roadmap and take ownership of applications and follow-ups.
  
• Coordinate land identification, site visits, boundary verification, land availability, handover records and access arrangements with land-owning or controlling authorities.
  
• Follow up with competent authorities on lawful encroachment removal, debris clearance, site obstructions, boundary disputes and other constraints affecting project readiness.
  
• Coordinate government-side commitments for water access or supply, fencing and site protection, utilities, entry permissions and other essential enabling infrastructure.
  
• Draft and submit official letters, proposals, meeting requests, permission applications, undertakings and supporting documentation; maintain complete, organized records.
  
• Arrange and attend meetings, joint inspections and reviews with officials; record minutes, commitments, responsible persons and closure dates.
  
• Build sustained professional relationships with government officers and local institutions, and represent F4F appropriately in formal discussions.
  
• Maintain a live government coordination tracker covering authority, contact person, approval status, dependencies, next action and target date; escalate critical delays promptly.
  
• Ensure all liaisoning, approvals and site-related actions follow applicable laws, departmental procedures, ethical standards and F4F policies; do not make unauthorized commitments.
  

Project Execution & Operational Coordination

• Coordinate with internal project teams on site readiness, execution schedules and dependencies arising from government approvals.
  
• Support site surveys, vendor and contractor coordination, basic cost reviews and resolution of local execution issues.
  
• Conduct periodic site visits to verify progress, document constraints and facilitate timely interventions.
  
• Submit concise weekly updates on approvals, stakeholder meetings, site readiness, risks and key operational milestones.
  

Success Measures

• Timely approvals and site handovers.
  
• Closure of government-side dependencies.
  
• Accurate permission records and follow-up tracking.
  
• Effective government relationships.
  
• Clear escalation and dependable support to on-ground teams.
  

Requirements

• Preferably based in Nagpur, with strong familiarity with local administration, geography and government working procedures.
  
• Demonstrated experience in government liaisoning, public-authority coordination, statutory permissions, land/site approvals or similar field-facing roles.
  
• Ability to independently draft official correspondence, maintain follow-up records and conduct professional meetings with senior officials.
  
• Fluency in Marathi and Hindi required; working proficiency in English preferred, including email and documentation.
  
• Strong interpersonal skills, persistence, sound judgment, integrity and ability to resolve administrative issues without compromising compliance.
  
• Comfortable with local travel, field visits and basic Excel/Google Sheets reporting; exposure to forestry, urban greening, CSR or restoration projects is an advantage.