RESTORATION CONSULTANT, Eco-Restoration Program

RESTORATION CONSULTANT, Eco-Restoration Program Full-Time THTs Eco-Restoration program is a pan-Indian endeavor, and so operations will span various habitat types across India. Candidate must be ready to travel to these sites from their hometown/base for varying periods based on what each project needs. Timeline: Since eco-restoration work spans over multiple years, the candidate should ideally be someone looking to grow with the organization. Initially the applicant can associate with THT as a consultant. In time, we hope that there is demonstrable alignment with the organization s objectives and synergy with the team, so that they can be absorbed into a more core role and participate in the evolution of the organization. Position Summary:

The Habitats Trust (THT) is positioned pivotally in the conservation sector of India today. Starting out with a mission to support promising conservation initiatives and practitioners, the organization has since diversified its portfolio with its own suite of programs geared towards enhancing the conservation of wilderness and wildlife as a means to preserve ecological processes. THT s EcoRestoration Program has been established with the intention to design, execute and manage scientific restoration activities to mitigate habitat decline and restore functional habitat. This program will also be crucial in enhancing and scaling-up existing restoration efforts by various other organizations.

The Restoration Consultant, as a member of the Eco-Restoration Program at The Habitats Trust, is responsible for executing project objectives on the ground as elaborated below. Subsequently, the nature and responsibilities of tasks is expected to change as projects evolve. The Consultant reports to the Deputy Manager, Nishant Seth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Building and contributing to reference models for different ecotypes where THT has eco restoration projects; this includes conducting field surveys, putting together literature, visits to reference habitats, nurseries, other projects, etc.

• Nursery management, which includes overseeing seed collection, seed processing and storage, germination, re-potting, developing soil mixes, etc.

• Develop restoration sites for optimal conditions and conduct planting based on restoration plans developed by the team.

• Monitor restoration sites.

• Liaison with both organizational as well as relevant external personnel (including legal consultant, financial officer, nursery management staff, gardeners, drivers, security personnel, etc.), various governmental department personnel, local community members and political representatives, and ensure project objectives are executed. .

Skills:

• Botanical and gardening skills: should ideally enjoy observing, identifying and caring for plants.

• Biodiversity monitoring: should enjoy documenting biodiversity, familiarity with certain taxa would be a plus.

• Interpersonal skills: must be empathetic; ability to negotiate logically and effectually, ability to advocate for their needs while being accountable to the work and others.

• Oral Communication: knowledge of spoken English and at least one Indian language (Hindi/Tamil/Kannada) is needed.

• Written communication: capacity to write technical content in English is most essential.

• Software skills: familiarity with QGIS, R/Python, Excel, Web-coding would be a plus

How to apply