Reforestation, Climate Change Studies and Wildlife and Conservation Liaison Internship, North INDIA

WildForest

While there is a significant amount of protected forest areas in North India, as well as an afforestation government program, the translation of the importance and necessity of such efforts has been lacking. Therefore, the WildForest project was created with the purpose of:

• Doing impact and assessment studies on the current management of protected forests near the local communities of Dholbaha/Janauri (Punjab) and Naddi (Himachal Pradesh), the impact of these areas on the surrounding communities/individual homes, and the effectiveness of these areas in terms of wildlife conservation, native vegetation afforestation efforts and biodiversity preservation
• Doing an impact assessment specific to the Himalayan area on climate change impact on this vulnerable ecosystem, and creating a guide on potential mitigation and adaptive strategies
• Creating education pamphlets and documents to be distributed in the local community, academic, governmental and environmental institutions and to visiting persons and tourists
• Researching the cause of declining native wildlife populations, primarily focused on (but not limited to) those of the tortoise and iguana, with the purpose to aid in the development of projects or programs that could help rehabilitate said fauna
• Aiding in afforestation efforts by researching alternative wood-variety trees that can be planted and harvested sustainably, as an alternative material source for local construction, and even as a potential material for exportation in the future, so that native species may be protected and allowed to rehabilitate in heavily forested and degraded areas (our current material focus is on bamboo cultivation)

WildForest interns would work on one or more of the focus areas. We are looking for individuals to manage projects with a background in forestry, natural resource management, sustainable development, eco-tourism and/or journalism; we are also looking for enthusiastic, motivated and innovative youth to assist in project management, regardless of their backgrounds studies or experience.

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Project Manager:

Reports to: Program Coordinator

Timeframe: 6-12 months

Age Restriction: 18 to 35 years of age

Tasks and responsibilities:

The Project Manager's role is to innovate and manage one or more projects within the areas listed above, with the support of Project Assistant Managers, at a specified cluster location within one of the three EduCARE India centres: Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan. They work closely with the Program Coordinator to implement on-ground projects and manage them daily, monitor and evaluate these projects and their resource needs on a weekly and monthly basis, and update the project manuals, with the assistance of the Project Assistant Manager. Additionally, the Project Manager should reach out to their community and create/maintain communication and collaboration with the local people for their education and empowerment.

Project Management:

• Research and initiate new projects
• Manage existing projects within the assigned program cluster
• Monitor, evaluate and report on the project activities to the Program Coordinator
• Liaise with the Program Coordinator to acquire material and non material resources
• Create and update project manuals regularly
• Create long term, medium term and short term plans with the support of the Program Coordinator
• Organize and chair the project committee meetings
• Coordinate and support Cluster Coordinator in cluster events

Communications:

• Liaise between Project Assistant Managers and Program Coordinators
• Help manage the feedback, concerns, and needs of the Project Assistant Managers within their projects.
• Create blog posts related to their projects regularly.
• Liaise with people from the local community, fostering good relations.

Assistant Project Manager:

Reports to: Project Manager.

Timeframe: 3-6 months

The Project Assistant Manager works on one or more ConservEN projects. They will be assigned to one specific office location within the three program centres: Himachal Pradesh, Punjab or Rajasthan. The Project Assistant Manager works closely with the Project Manager, who will provide guidance and direction and resource needs. They will also work with the Program Coordinator to ensure that their projects fit with the overall aim, mission and values of the organization.

Together with the Sustainability Project Manager, the Sustainablity Project Assistant Managers form a team to assure the continuity and quality of one of the Environmental Projects. This job role will put you in the center of the work field and you will be in close contact with the local community. Being involved in the social projects run by the VIKAS Centres will provide you with invaluable work experience in development and let you experience Indian culture first hand.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Assist the Project Manager in the daily on ground tasks related to their projects
• Monitor, evaluate and report on the project activities to the Project Manager
• Inform the Project Manager about any human resource, financial and material needs.
• Management of Project Manuals and other project documents
• Liaise with people from the local community, fostering good relations.

Benefits

Free on-site accommodation is provided. Free access to Internet is provided in the various centers and some houses. Additionally, work-related transportation and phone expenses (partially) are provided for by the organisation.

*Fee: Please note that in order to cover legal costs, there is a one-time internship placement fee of US $460. For long term interns this fee is partially to fully reimbursed! (6 to 12 months)