Policy Specialist – AMP Himalaya – Action for Mountains and Peoples in the Himalaya

Position Title

Policy Specialist – AMP Himalaya – Action for Mountains and Peoples in the Himalaya

Description

The Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) is a non-profit organisation focused on rigorous interdisciplinary knowledge generation for use by policy and practice, towards environmental conservation and sustainable, socially just development.

In the Himalaya, ATREE’s strategy is to work towards a future where resilient mountain and downstream societies sustainably enjoy the natural endowment of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) while protecting and preserving its rich biodiversity. ATREE has developed a 10-year strategy called “The Himalaya Initiative (THI)” with its focus in the IHR in the face of increasing biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and climate change impacting the region.

Project AMP-Himalaya is backed by funding support from donors for the 5-year project period. The project aims to conserve biodiversity, restore landscapes and foster human well-being in the Indian Himalayan Region. Three key areas prioritized to achieve the goal in the IHR are: 1) Assessment, Monitoring, and Conservation of Biodiversity; 2) Restoration of Multi-functional Landscapes; and 3) Nature-based Rural Livelihoods and Climate Change Resilience. Integral to these priorities are: the creation of digital knowledge commons to accelerate participatory management and local stewardship; strengthening human resources through training programs for local youth leaders and enhanced environmental educational opportunities; and creating conditions for developing/implementing multi-level mountain-specific policies that prioritize biodiversity conservation and natural resource management at scale.

The project is being implemented in 3 distinct landscapes located in 3 states and 1 union territory of IHR namely: the Khangchendzonga Landscape covering the Darjeeling hills of north Bengal and Sikkim state; the Trans-Himalayan Landscape representing a high dependence on rangelands with agro-pastoral and pastoral systems in Ladakh; and Arunachal Pradesh with the largest, greenest, ethnically diverse and most biodiversity rich landscapes.

Job Profile

ATREE is seeking an experienced professional to lead review, analysis, studies, consultations and recommendations on mountain specific policies related to biodiversity conservation, landscape restoration and bio-resources use in the project landscapes and States. Policy vision will be guided by global, regional, national and state mountain policies from IHR.

You will be a key member of a versatile team led by the Director – The Himalaya Initiative and Centre for Policy Design (CPD). You will be responsible for representing ATREE with external stakeholders, including government departments in the project states, IHR states and national level, and will collaborate closely with regional teams in the IHR, and the CPD at ATREE headquarters in Bengaluru.

Scope of role

Reports to: Director-The Himalaya Initiative, and Director-Centre for Policy Design

Staff Reporting to This Post: Policy Analysts and Consultants

Budget Responsibilities: Policy component budget

Role Dimensions: This role requires policy expertise, stakeholder including government engagement and consultations, and the ability to lead policy studies, analysis and advocacy.
Duration of Engagement: 3 years initially, extendable by another 2 years

Responsibilities

Lead the policy component of the AMP-Himalaya project.
Review of existing policies on rangelands, forests, agroforestry systems and analysis for bringing mountain specificity in existing policies.
Value and use need of policies to be analyzed especially in conservation planning, restoration and bioresources use perspectives.
State level policy action plan developed and advocated in Sikkim for restoration and agro-ecology and for OECM/CCA in Arunachal Pradesh.
Map key stakeholders involved in policy-making, and compare existing policies to identify gaps, overlaps and areas lacking mountain specificity across three project landscapes.
Conduct Focus Group Discussions with local communities in project landscapes, interview experts and organize workshops with stakeholders and policy makers on mountain specific policies on conservation and restoration
Identify current practices or policies that are detrimental to climate and ecosystem resilience for mountain systems, develop case studies of successful models or practices that integrate mountain specificity into policy implementation
Draft policy recommendations that emphasize mountain specificity and sustainable management practices, based on the analysis and consultations. Present draft recommendations to a multi-stakeholder panel for review and feedback, ensuring they are practical and aligned with regional needs.
Run an advocacy campaign to raise awareness and training among government officials, policymakers, community leaders and the general public about the issue in Khangchendzonga Landscape.
Compile a comprehensive report documenting the process, findings, recommendations, and outcomes, and toolkit for IHR and share with all stakeholders.
Prepare briefing papers for policymakers and government officials that outline key findings.
Create the Legal-Institutional Framework and Modules for OECMs/CCA in Arunachal Pradesh.
Apply a proactive strategic approach within and outside the ATREE to generate concrete results leading to policy impacts.
Write report, track success indicators and manage policy component budget.
Represent ATREE in national and international forums.

Qualifications

PhD in a related field, i.e. environmental science, social sciences, natural science, ecology, natural resources management
4 to 5 years of overall experience on policy work, with some experience in the mountains
Strong networking skills and demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders.
Strong understanding of policy processes in government systems.
Demonstrable skills in team coordination, motivation, and stakeholder engagement.
Proficient in analytical skills, report writing, and documentation.
Willingness to travel extensively across project locations in the Himalaya.
Experience working with nonprofits in the Conservation/Environment/Sustainability/Biodiversity space highly desirable
A self-motivator who can work independently to deliver on a set of goals.
Excellent organization and communication skills with a proven ability to engage across levels of an organization and across geographies
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to motivate and lead small teams

Remuneration

ATREE recognizes that the right candidate will have a significant impact on the success of the organization and is prepared to offer an attractive compensation package for the non-profit sector, commensurate with experience.

Duty station

The position will be based out of ATREE’s Regional Office at Gangtok, SIKKIM.

Please note: The above responsibilities outline the primary duties of this position. Flexibility and willingness to undertake additional tasks may be required, subject to consultation with the reporting manager.

Diversity Policy: The institution is an equal opportunity employer that encourages women, people with disabilities, and those from economically and socially excluded communities to apply for positions with the requisite skills and qualifications.

How to Apply

Interested individuals can apply using the ‘Apply Now’ button.

Contact

Please direct your questions regarding this position to hr@atree.org

Note

• Only candidates who are shortlisted for the interview will be contacted.

Date Posted

21 January 2025

Valid Through

February 20, 2025

Employment Type

Full-time

Job Location

SIKKIM

Position Title