Senior Program Associate

Embarq India; Nagpur District; On-site; INR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

WRI India is seeking a Senior Program Associate to support bamboo-based restoration value chains in central India, with emphasis on Nagpur, Maharashtra. The role focuses on implementation, coordination, and applied research, linking landscape restoration with livelihoods and market opportunities, while developing MRV systems.

The position involves collaborating with government, communities, and private partners to scale restoration, conduct policy-relevant analysis, and design scalable

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Public Policy, Economics, Environmental Studies, Development Studies, Environmental Governance, Natural Resource Management.
• 4-7 years of relevant experience in landscape restoration, policy or value chains, and applied research.
• Experience with policy and program analysis and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Development of bamboo-based livelihood and restoration value chains.
• Monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems for restoration.
• Research and analysis to inform policy, financing and implementation.
• Partnerships that enable scaling of restoration programs.

Skills

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Coordination

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Education

Master's degree or higher in Public Policy, Economics, Environmental Studies, Development Studies, Environmental Governance, Natural Resource Management

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Research databases & analytical tools

Job description

Job Summary

WRI India is seeking a Senior Program Associate - Responsible Restoration Value Chains to support the development of bamboo-based restoration value chains in central India, particularly in Maharashtra and surrounding regions. This role focuses on implementation, coordination, and applied research. The selected candidate will help develop practical solutions that link landscape restoration with livelihoods and market opportunities, while also supporting systems to monitor and track restoration outcomes (MRV). The role will involve working with government agencies, community institutions, businesses, and civil society organizations to strengthen the ecosystem needed to scale restoration activities.

Responsibilities

• Development of bamboo-based livelihood and restoration value chains
• Monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems for restoration
• Research and analysis to inform policy, financing, and implementation
• Partnerships that enable scaling of restoration programs

Restoration Value Chain Development (55%)

Responsibilities include:

• Mapping key actors across the bamboo value chain, including producers, processors, traders, and buyers
• Identifying gaps in production, processing, market access, logistics, and finance
• Supporting the design and implementation of pilot initiatives that improve bamboo-based livelihoods
• Working with farmer producer organizations (FPOs), community groups, and local enterprises
• Engaging with private sector partners to strengthen market linkages
• Identifying opportunities to increase value addition and income for local communities
• Supporting development of scalable models for restoration-linked value chains

Project Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement (25%)

• Coordinating research and project deliverables
• Supporting engagement with government agencies, private sector partners, NGOs, and community organizations
• Organizing or contributing to workshops, consultations, and meetings
• Representing WRI India in selected events and discussions
• Supporting internal reporting and documentation

Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) (20%)

• Supporting data collection and management related to restoration activities
• Helping develop indicators and monitoring frameworks
• Supporting analysis of restoration outcomes such as: area restored; ecological outcomes; livelihood impacts
• Contributing to data systems, dashboards, and monitoring tools
• Ensuring data quality and supporting reporting requirements

What you will need

• Master's degree or a higher degree in Public Policy, Economics, Environmental Studies, Development Studies, Environmental Governance, Natural Resource Management or related fields
• 4-7 years of relevant professional experience in areas such as landscape restoration, environmental policy or land use policy, rural livelihoods and value chains, climate or natural resource programs, environmental or restoration finance, applied research and program implementation, Restoration-linked business models
• Experience working with community institutions, producer organizations, or value chains is desirable.
• Experience with policy and program analysis
• Ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research
• Familiarity with monitoring, evaluation, or impact measurement
• Reliable analytical and writing skills
• Ability to translate complex information into clear and practical insights
• Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience of engaging with cross-sector stakeholders (government, finance, enterprises, community institutions, research organizations)
• Ability to work independently (as this is a location-based role instead of an office based role) and manage multiple tasks
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint
• Some experience using research databases and analytical tools
• Fluency in English. Marathi is a must. Hindi is an added advantage.
• Creating reports, supplementing reports etc.

Location: Nagpur, Maharashtra

Duration: 1 year term hire