Basic information

About PHIA Foundation

Partnering Hope into Action (PHIA) Foundation is a Charitable Trust registered in India. Its vision is a society free from poverty, exclusion and discrimination and all people live with justice, peace and dignity. PHIA works for the eradication of poverty among the poor, vulnerable and marginalized communities in India. PHIA believes in promoting equality, dignity and social justice so that everyone regardless of gender, caste, class, ethnicity, religion, colour, culture and physical abilities can live a life free from poverty, exclusion and discrimination. It works in partnership with civil society and community-based organizations. PHIA facilitates the empowerment of poor, vulnerable and marginalized communities so that they can be in-charge of their own development. Gender equality crosscuts all of PHIA’s work.

PHIA Foundation interventions and programmes are present in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Ladhak and Delhi NCR. It works on both long-term development programmes and humanitarian response. The organisation follows a rights-based approach for inclusive and sustainable development. Evidence-based advocacy to improve policy implementation is integral to its approach. PHIA works in partnership with a variety of stakeholders that include Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the private sector, multilateral and bilateral development agencies, philanthropy institutions and the Government institutions to bring capabilities and capacities together to find scalable solutions to address poverty, and promote social justice, equity and dignity.

About the project

PHIA Foundation will be implementing a project title “Fostering Our Resilient Ecosystems through Stewardship and Transformation (FOREST) in select districts of Jharkhand, India.” The project will be implemented in four district namely Gumla, Simdega, Latehar, West Singhbhum . The project goal is to decentralize the forest governance by recognizing rights of local communities to protect and conserve forest, ensure livelihood security and ecological sustainability.

Focus of the Project.

• Establish and enhance a community-centered knowledge hub on Forest Rights to benefit a broader audience through shared learning and exchange.
• Strengthening of Community Institution: Gram Sabha and Community Resource Management Committee on Post Claim resource management.
• Enhance forest dependents community income due to tenurial right over forest, with a major emphasis on youth and women. This initiative aims to improve livelihoods by access to forest resources while prioritizing the economic inclusion of marginalized groups. 

       Objective:

• Strengthen and empower local self- governance processes specifically the gram Sabha to proficiently manage community forest resources in a manner that is sustainable, equitable, and democratic, thereby enhancing ecological security within the community.
• Improving resilience of forest dependent livelihoods of the communities with special focus on women headed households for improved incomes from the farms and forests.
• Strengthen Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) networks for Community Forest Rights(CFR) management, promote knowledge exchange between relevant stakeholders to address systemic issues in implementation of FRA both at State and National level.
• Realise people outcomes in terms of securing titles and improving voice and agency of women and youths.

Job Description

PHIA is seeking a professional for the position of GIS and Watershed Expert (State level) for overall planning, implementation, supervision and guidance for the effective NRM/Watershed planning through the forest governance system. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure capacity building of the team on the use of GIS based planning through different available reliable tools.
• Design and lead training of various stakeholders such as Govt officials, project team, PRI members and Forest committees and communities on understanding GIS platforms and maps efficient management of forest data to preserve the environment and nature.
• Guide the team in data digitization and image interpretation through GIS based maps for awareness initiatives.
• Development of GIS based advisory for location specific and need based climate resilient assets.
• Composition of high -resolution GIS maps.
• Responsible for facilitating necessary planning and implementation along with the team for protection and conservation of forest to ensure livelihood security through ecological sustainability.
• Establish coordination mechanisms with different stakeholders of the project which include different government departments viz. Rural Development, Agriculture Development, Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Panchayati Raj, JSAC among others at the State, District and Block and Panchayat level.
• Guide the project team in developing mini and micro watershed plan with the inclusion of forest fringe villages to strengthen climate actions on the basis of ridge to valley approach.
• Plan and guide the team to undertake activities to increase participation of marginalised communities promoting climate resilience approaches in MGNREGA planning and NRM works.
• Undertake day-to-day management of the overall project including effective implementation and document progress towards the achievement of outputs.
• Undertake monitoring and review visits to ensure timely implementation of project activities and achievement of agreed milestones in a time bound manner.
• Prepare work plans, produce timely reports – financial and progress reports, generate periodic updates/ reports to be shared with donors and external stakeholders.
• Responsible for periodic reports both programmatic and financial to the donor ensuring its quality and correctness.
• Support and mentor the team in preparing block specific plans/ strategies within the agreed outcome framework to ensure progress of the project in a time bound manner.
• Organize regular project review sessions with Gram Panchayat implementers, Districts and Block implementers and monthly meetings with other team members of PHIA, with the aim of establishing and/or verifying emerging needs, update progress, gaps and priorities.
• Any other task as assigned by the line manager.

Qualifications/Experience/skills/knowledge and expertise

Essential(s)

• S/he should be Masters/Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development/ Management with at least 10+ years working experience of working in development sector especially focused on NRM and watersheds planning and implementation, geospatial and quantitative data collection, etc.
• Working knowledge about GIS related software such as Arc GIS, Remote sensing and mapping, Image processing and digitization.
• Fluency in English and Hindi oral and written communication, with demonstrated experience/ writing samples in English and Hindi.
• Proficient in MS-Office with excellent MS-Excel knowledge, internet, outlook and email.
• Relevant experience of at least 5+ years in FRA/NRM/Farm and forest livelihoods/ Institutional Development planning and implementation,
• Data management, analysis, report writing
• Experience in coordinating with state and district block departments.
• Organized, team player, self-starter and results-oriented individual.
• Ability to work with a range of people from diverse backgrounds in an open-minded, non-dogmatic manner.

Desirable

• Previous working experience of bilateral/ multilateral projects
• Speak/ understand Chotanagpuri link language
• Proficient in using digital tools
• Commitment for the entire project duration
• Readiness to travel to remote village areas and be adaptable to forest areas with minimum support.

How to Apply

Eligible candidates interested in this position are requested to apply through this link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfldw47S0hfFndBUMRxBPCie_dKP1FerPfVnLgxuw8r2aS j8Q/viewform?usp=pp_url with an updated resume including the names of two referees on or before 15/06/2024.The interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis as we keep on receiving applications till a suitable candidate is found, so the applicants are advised to apply as early as possible.

PHIA constantly strives to have an inclusive and diverse team and individuals from marginalised sections like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and others, women and other gender identities are encouraged to apply. Owing to the high number of applications expected, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear back from us by 15th July 2024 kindly assume that your application has not been considered this time by us.