Country Director

Wildlife Conservation Society-India is seeking a Country Director to lead conservation efforts in India. The ideal candidate will have experience in managing complex natural resource programs and building partnerships. Responsibilities include overseeing conservation activities, fundraising, and influencing policies for biodiversity preservation. The position is based in Bangalore and requires travel up to 30-35% of the time to field sites and internationally.
Join WCS-India as a leader in India’s frontier of wildlife conservation.

WCS-India is seeking a Country Director with proven expertise in navigating complex conservation landscapes across diverse ecosystems. The ideal candidate combines strategic vision with tactical expertise, transforming conservation challenges into sustainable solutions. Your experience managing complex natural resource programs and building partnerships across government, NGOs, and communities will drive meaningful impact across India’s most critical habitats.

This role offers the rare opportunity to shape the future of conservation in one of the world’s most biodiverse countries. Bring your passion for nature, leadership acumen, and collaborative approach to an organization where your expertise directly contributes to preserving India’s extraordinary natural heritage.

Position: Country Director
Reports to: Board of WCS-India and in coordination with Regional Director, WCS
Location: Bangalore
Position Type: Full-time
Coordinates with: WCS Regional team (Regional Business Manager, HR, technical leads)
Expected travel: Up to 30-35% of time, to WCS-India field sites, and internationally, when required.

Organizational Background:
Wildlife Conservation Society-India (WCS-India) is a Section 25 non-profit company incorporated in India and compliant with all Indian regulations. WCS-India’s overarching goal is to retain, recover, and restore wildlife and ecosystems through inclusive, evidence-based action, sustained engagement, and creative communication. WCS-India combines wildlife conservation action and strategic policy interventions with rigorous principles of conservation science to forge long-lasting, productive partnerships with governmental and non-governmental partners as well as with local communities. WCS India’s conservation action addresses the threats of habitat fragmentation, poaching and wildlife trade, and human-wildlife interactions.

Job Purpose:
The Country Director will oversee the implementation and has oversight of WCS-India. The Director will lead the development and management of WCS India’s conservation activities in line with WCS India and WCS global strategies. The WCS-India Country Director will be responsible for: leading on the establishment of priorities, strategy, and approaches for terrestrial (and marine) conservation and climate adaptation initiatives; supporting conservation project development and implementation; fundraising and grants oversight; coordination with government and non-government partners; directing national and international attention to India for conservation; influencing policies that promote preservation of biodiversity and sustainable development, while reducing vulnerability to future climate and environmental change.

Major Responsibilities:
• Coordinating and supervising the implementation of all WCS-India projects and activities, including ensuring financial and administrative support for field and office activities.
• Establishing and maintaining excellent working relationships with partners and donors. Meeting regularly with project partners, relevant government agencies, and community leaders. Serving as a liaison between WCS-India and other scientific and conservation bodies in India and elsewhere.
• Ensuring WCS-India’s community engagement protocols follow best international and nationally recommended practice for free, prior, and informed consent, and allowing this process to be guided by national staff.
• Raising the profile of WCS-India’s conservation efforts through the dissemination of project results widely in the peer-reviewed and popular literature. Writing and publishing documents, reports, books and papers and/or supporting staff to do so. Maintaining active roles in professional societies. Attending relevant meetings, workshops, and strategy sessions in India and the region (where required).
• Collaborating with the WCS Regional Director, Global Conservation thematic programs and Global Resources to secure funding for WCS-India. Working to maintain a diversified funding base at a sustainable level to support WCS-India activities.
• Overseeing grant and financial reporting and ensuring that draft reports are submitted with adequate time for internal review.
• Hiring, managing and contributing to capacity building of WCS-India staff, while contributing to, enlarging and upholding policies, including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies, towards equal employment opportunities for women, minorities, veterans, the handicapped and other protected groups.
• Acting as the formal representative of WCS-India, ensuring all activities are in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.
• Participating in and contributing to cross-cutting and global conservation initiatives of WCS, both in the region and globally.
• Liaising with other parts of WCS where appropriate, including but not limited to communications, international policy, Global Resources, Grants Management and Compliance, and Global Conservation Program thematic program staff.

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