Head - Production Landscapes

Overview: 

WWF India works through an integrated, community-based approach that balances conservation and development at a landscape scale. Promoting sustainable production systems in its conservation landscapes is a key part of this approach. This includes the production and marketing of agricultural commodities and the collection/marketing of non-wood forest products. We aim to find ways to ensure sustainability of these systems while also contributing to enhanced local livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. Recognizing that biodiversity conservation extends beyond Protected Areas, this approach strengthens agroecosystems and creates economic opportunities for smallholders, making agroecosystems an integral part of conservation. By advancing regenerative agriculture, agro-ecological interventions, wildlife-friendly practices, and sustainable harvesting of WWF India aim to enhance ecosystem services, build resilience, and support sustainable markets, ensuring that production landscapes contribute meaningfully to conservation while benefiting communities and addressing climate challenges.

WWF is looking for a proven leader who will drive systemic change in conservation by fostering sustainable production systems, resilient communities and connecting markets. He/ She will champion a forward-thinking and strategic approach to integrate conservation and sustainable production systems across multi-use landscapes. The Head will ensure strong collaboration across WWF India’s landscape teams, equipping them with the necessary expertise and strategic direction to effectively implement the PL strategy in alignment with the strategic plan of the landscapes.

• Review the existing strategy and implement WWF India’s Production Landscapes approach, ensuring integration with broader conservation goals.

• Design and scale sustainable production models, including regenerative agriculture, agro-ecology, wildlife-friendly practices, and sustainable NTFP management.

• Identify and promote market-driven solutions that enhance sustainability in agricultural and forest-based value chains.

• Mentor colleagues working in the landscapes, particularly for production landscapes conceptualizing and facilitating implementation.

• Build and maintain partnerships with government agencies, private sector actors, farmer institutions, and financial institutions to drive sustainable production models.

• Engage with local communities, smallholder farmers, and indigenous groups to co-develop and implement conservation-friendly livelihood strategies.

• Represent WWF India in national and international forums related to production landscapes, agro-ecology etc.

• Maintain close relationships with international certification agencies, knowledge institutions and WWF international offices

• Lead the planning, execution, and monitoring of production landscape initiatives across WWF India’s conservation landscapes.

• Develop and strengthen value chains for identified commodities

• Guide landscape teams in setting up and managing community-based enterprises.

• Identify and engage with different markets (e.g., agriculture, forestry, handlooms, handicrafts, impact).

• Oversee and ensure the adoption of sustainable practices, building ecological and community resilience.

• Mobilize funding from donors, corporate partners, and impact investors to scale production landscape initiatives.

• Ensure effective budgeting, and resource allocation, supervise overall spending, and reporting to achieve programmatic goals efficiently.

• At least 15 years of experience in sustainable agriculture (with an understanding of regenerative agriculture and other emerging approaches),     agroforestry, rural, forest-based livelihoods, markets/supply chains,

• Strong understanding of landscape-based conservation approaches, regenerative agriculture, agroecology, or sustainable supply chains.

• Expertise in market-based approaches for sustainable rural production systems.

• Experience in multi-stakeholder engagement, including collaboration with governments, businesses, and local communities.

• Knowledge of certification standards (e.g., organic, Regenerative, Better Cotton, fair trade, FSC, PGS etc).

• Proven leadership, communication, and project management skills