Project Manager (Agroforestry)

About SEEDS Trust :

SEEDS Trust (Social Education and Environment Development Scheme Trust) is a non-profit, working for the development of livelihood of forest dependent communities and for the conservation of landscapes and species, in Tamil Nadu. It works on conservation plus social initiatives, to ensure better landscapes to ensure better livelihoods to the communities dependent on them. More details available in the organization website : www.seedstrust.org.in

The Project :

Currently SEEDS Trust is beginning an agroforestry project in the Ayyalur landscape of Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, with the support of the Livelihoods Carbon Fund SICAV-RAIF-LCF3, Luxembourg. The main objective of the project will be to rehabilitate the degraded landscape and to achieve better livelihoods for the communities that are largely dependent on the surrounding forests.

The project will plant multi-purpose and fruit tree saplings in around 8,000 ha in private farmlands of about 8,000 families in the fringe villages of the proposed Kadavur Slender Loris Sanctuary. The income generation from the trees and other allied income generation activities promoted by the project are expected to reduce the pressure on the Ayyalur forest and improve the resilience of the communities, both of which will directly impact contribute to the key Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the UN at the larger level.

In order to facilitate the project implementation, SEEDS Trust seeks to recruit the services of one (01)

Project Manager

on an annual contract basis, renewable based on annual performance evaluations. This is a full-time position, requiring local travel and will be based at Dindigul, Tamil Nadu.

Main functions

This is a full-time on-site role as a Project Manager of the Ayyalur Livelihoods Project, who will be responsible for the day-to-day planning, implementation of the tree planting campaign and related livelihood interventions in the Ayyalur region. In addition to this, he / she will also evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the program and identifying new innovative solutions to adapt the project according to periodic learnings.

Key Responsibilities :

Day-to-day, short-term and medium-term planning, budgeting, and implementation of all project components (including all activities, reporting, M&E, human resources and budgets) of the project

Providing technical support to the project team including the M&E Officer, Field Coordinators and Village Coordinators and implementing them in line with the timeline and budget.

Promoting learning and accountability, for the continuous improvement of the project and for wider learning of the organisation and stakeholders.

Risk management, including abiding by overall project and ESG risk mitigation plans

Support project partners in conducting tree audits, annual impact surveys, interim evaluations, etc. and support the Project Management team in the creation of reports of the same.

Documentation of important meetings, stakeholder consultations, project grievance mechanism, case studies, and best practices / success stories of the project and showcasing them.

Support and monitor the project MEL Officer’s work to provide analysis and feedback and incorporate the Learnings in the Adaptive Management of the project.

Providing support in the training, building material for capacity building, and identifying various technological options for the smooth implementation of the program. Identifying opportunities for the program to participate in activities at various levels to build their visibility.

Expected skills and competencies :

Postgraduate degree in social (MSW) or natural science (agriculture, forestry, etc.) discipline.

8-10 years of work experience in NGO sector or relevant domain.

Knowledge on non-timber forest products, forest rights, value chain development, etc. will be added advantages.

Skilled in MS Office (Excel, Word & Powerpoint) and data management computer packages; GIS knowledge a plus

Excellent writing and presentation skills in English. Working knowledge of Tamil is important.

Proactive and resourceful with good inter-personal skills, able to interact at all levels of the project.

Result-oriented and self-motivated.

Willing and able to travel and spend 90% of his / her time on the field, while being stationed close to the project area

Ability to multi-task with tight deadlines / schedules and attention to details

Contract Type :

Annual (with a probationary period of three months), with a possibility of extension based on annual performance assessments. Salary corresponds to industry standards

To apply :

Please send your CV to jobs.seedtrust@gmail.com with

Project Manager

in the subject line