Deputy Manager - Climate Action (Natural Resource Management)

About the job

Reporting to: Manager – Climate Action

Job Overview:

The Deputy Manager – Climate Action will be responsible for planning, technical design, implementation, monitoring, and documentation of Natural Resource Management projects, with a primary focus on watershed development, soil and water conservation, water resource management, groundwater recharge, climate-resilient agriculture, and sustainable livelihoods. The role will require strong technical expertise in field assessment, watershed planning, structure design, drawings, BOQs, cost estimates, DPR preparation, and project implementation.

Job Responsibilities:

• Plan, design, implement, and monitor watershed and Natural Resource Management projects.
• Conduct technical assessments covering topography, drainage, soil, geology, hydrology, hydrogeology, land use, cropping patterns, and water resources.
• Develop watershed treatment plans using a ridge-to-valley approach based on site conditions, catchment characteristics, slope, soil, runoff, and community needs.
• Identify and design suitable soil and water conservation and water harvesting interventions such as check dams, stop dams, nala bunds, gabion structures, farm ponds, contour trenches, bunding, percolation tanks, recharge shafts, and drainage-line treatments.
• Prepare and review technical drawings, quantity calculations, BOQs, rate analysis, cost estimates, DPRs, specifications, and implementation plans.
• Assess existing NRM structures and provide recommendations for repair, restoration, desilting, strengthening, or augmentation.
• Monitor construction quality, dimensions, materials, workmanship, and adherence to approved designs and technical specifications.
• Integrate watershed development with climate-resilient agriculture, soil health, crop diversification, water-use efficiency, and sustainable livelihoods.
• Support participatory watershed planning through PRA, household surveys, community consultations, resource mapping, and village-level planning.
• Support formation and strengthening of VWDCs, WUGs, FPGs, SHGs, and other community institutions for sustainable management of natural resources.
• Coordinate with Gram Panchayats, government departments, NGOs, technical institutions, consultants, and other project stakeholders.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor project progress, verify technical outputs, and assess the performance of completed interventions.
• Undertake research on watershed management, water security, groundwater recharge, soil health, climate-resilient agriculture, and other NRM-related issues.
• Develop technical guidelines, standard designs, case studies, project reports, concept notes, proposals, donor reports, presentations, and knowledge products.
• Manage and mentor project teams, field staff, technical consultants, and implementation partners.
• Monitor project timelines, deliverables, budgets, financial utilization, and reporting requirements.
• Represent UWM at relevant technical meetings, workshops, conferences, donor meetings, and government forums.
• Ensure compliance with applicable government guidelines, technical standards, statutory requirements, and relevant environmental safeguards.
• Undertake extensive field travel across Maharashtra and other project locations in India as required.

Profile Requisites:

• Postgraduate degree in M. Tech./B. Tech- Soil and Water Conservation, Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Water Resources, or a related field.
• 5–7 years of relevant experience in watershed development, NRM, soil and water conservation, or related projects.
• Strong technical knowledge of watershed planning, hydrology, hydrogeology, soil and water conservation, groundwater recharge, and water resource management.
• Proven experience in technical design, drawings, BOQs, cost estimates, rate analysis, DPR preparation, and project budgeting.
• Practical knowledge of designing and reviewing watershed structures and assessing their technical feasibility.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD, GIS, GPS, mapping, and digital field-monitoring tools will be an advantage.
• Understanding of climate-resilient agriculture, soil health, crop diversification, and sustainable livelihoods.
• Experience in community-based watershed planning and working with farmers and rural communities.
• Strong project management, analytical, problem-solving, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in English and Hindi; Marathi will be an added advantage.
• Good knowledge of MS Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work in challenging field environments.
• Willingness to travel extensively across project locations in India.
• Passion for natural resource conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

Remuneration: Subject to relevant qualification, experience & merit; the salary range is 8 LPA to 12 LPA.