Director – Brahmaputra Programme

BACKGROUND

Operating as the institutional leader and public face of WWF-India across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the Director will orchestrate cross-functional teams, cultivate high-level technical, political and donor partnerships, and drive transformative landscape-level conservation strategies.

This includes conservation-related issues (freshwater and terrestrial species and habitats restoration & monitoring, addressing human-wildlife conflict and strengthening protection); social development (community empowerment, sustainable livelihoods); as well as engaging with external drivers such as nature-safeguards in infrastructure, land use change, and agricultural production. Approaches include research & monitoring, capacity building & institutional development, policy & advocacy, and engagement with multiple partners, including local communities, industries, government agencies, and CSOs.

As Director, the person is expected to drive the implementation of the programme to deliver its strategic outcomes in close coordination with the internal Programme Steering Group (PSG). The Director – Brahmaputra Programme will have to manage a team of 30+ staff, comprising ecologists, agriculture specialists, and social scientists, working across various districts of Assam.

VISIONARY LEADERSHIP & STRATEGIC GROWTH

• Strategy Execution: Internalise, evolve, and communicate a compelling multi-year vision for the Brahmaputra Programme across WWF-India, the global WWF network, and external partners.
• Innovation & Adaptation: Partner with the Programme Steering Group (PSG) to continually refine landscape conservation models, integrating cutting-edge approaches to climate adaptation, habitat restoration, and human-wildlife coexistence.
• Resource Mobilisation: Drive strategic fundraising, capital pipeline development, and donor diversification to ensure long-term financial sustainability for the landscape.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE & PROGRAMME GOVERNANCE

• Portfolio Managemen t: Oversee the end-to-end execution of all committed grants, ensuring technical precision, high-impact deliverables, and financial compliance.
• Team Leadership & Talent Development: Lead, mentor, and build a high-performing, multidisciplinary team of specialists, scientists, and consultants.
• Cross-functional Integration: Facilitate coordination between the various cross-cutting teams to align strategies and maximise collaboration for seamless project delivery.
• Institutional Safeguards: Embed WWF’s Environmental and Social Safeguards Frameworks (ESSF) across all field operations, ensuring ethical, inclusive, and equitable conservation delivery.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT & POLICY SUPPORT

• Government & Network Alliances: Cultivate strategic relationships with State Departments, including Forests, Water Resources and Agriculture, District Administrations, CSOs, technical institutions, and industry leaders.
• Policy Engagement: Design and execute targeted strategies to inform sustainable infrastructure, land-use planning, water resources management and agricultural practices across the basin.
• Community Co-Design : Strengthen grassroots partnerships with local communities and indigenous institutions to scale sustainable livelihoods and community-led stewardship models.
• Strategic Communications : Position the Brahmaputra Programme as a global flagship model for river basin conservation through high-impact storytelling and executive positioning.

Requirements

• Advanced Degree: Master’s or PhD in Management, Environmental Sciences, Sustainable Development, Agriculture, or Social Sciences.
• Executive Experience: Minimum of 15+ years of progressive leadership experience managing complex, multidisciplinary conservation or rural development programmes.
• Domain Expertise: Deep knowledge of species and habitat conservation, river basin ecology, sustainable agriculture, land-use planning, and transboundary policy dynamics.
• Regional Context : Strong strategic grasp of the ecological, socio-economic, and political landscape of Northeast India (Assam and Arunachal Pradesh).
• Diplomacy & Influence : Proven track record in high-level donor liaising, government negotiation, coalition-building, and conflict resolution.
• Communication Mastery : Exceptional executive writing and public speaking skills in English. Working proficiency or fluency in Assamese is essential.
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