Technical Expert Forestry and Water, SAMS, New Delhi
1. POSITION VACANT: Technical Expert Forestry and Water, SAMS, New Delhi
2. ORGANISATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Our Client, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development - from systems and institutional strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, as well as sustainable energy, environment and resilience. With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to support the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerate the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.
For more information about UNDP India, please visit https://www.undp.org/india
PROJECT BACKGROUND:
UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all. With projects in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.
The Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) Unit at UNDP is organized around the thematic areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem & land restoration, disaster management and resilience, and access to clean and efficient energy. The Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity pillar of ACE is supporting the Government of India in meeting national development objectives along with commitments under important multilateral environment agreements especially the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The programme/projects under the pillar have been supporting the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), National and State level planning for land restoration and biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration, carbon sequestration through enhanced restoration, promotion of nature-based livelihoods and One Health approach.
UNDP is supporting the Ministry in the implementation of a GEF -7 project “Sustainable management and restoration of degraded landscapes for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) in India”. The project aims to achieve land degradation neutrality by creating additional carbon sinks through an ecosystem-based approach for restoring degraded agricultural, forest, pastoral lands, and surface water bodies. It involves enabling institutional frameworks and policies for integrated sustainable land management practices and up-scaling landscape-wide practices in 3 states Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh contributing to the national target of restoring 26 Mha of degraded lands by 2030.
The project being implemented over a period of five years will lead to the following outcomes: (1) Enhanced national, state and district-level enabling frameworks incentivizing SLM practices and supporting participatory multi-sector platforms to avoid, reduce and reverse land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate mitigation; (2) Integrated participatory landscape design and financing models established in support of avoidance, reduction and reversal of land degradation, desertification, biodiversity loss and negative impacts of climate change to generates multiple sustained environmental and economic benefits; (3) Improved capacity for LDN monitoring, assessment and reporting to UNCCD in support of LDN target setting and evaluation of capacities of partners; allowing government institutions and other agencies to better document, analyse and disseminate effective intervention strategies for restoring productive landscapes and replication of best practices at national and state level, and at international level through improved South-South cooperation, knowledge and adaptive management.
3. JOB PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF WORK (SOW):
The Technical Expert- Forestry and Water will Provide technical guidance on forestry, watershed management, and ecosystem restoration interventions under the project. Support design, implementation, and monitoring of nature-based solutions aligned with Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) principles. Review field-level plans and ensure scientific rigor, sustainability, and climate resilience in interventions. Contribute to knowledge products and technical reporting.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the overall supervision of the National Project Manager, the Technical Expert- Forestry and Water will undertake the following responsibilities:
(1) Provide technical guidance on landscape restoration strategies: Offer expert inputs on integrated landscape restoration approaches that combine forestry and water resource management. Ensure interventions are scientifically sound and aligned with ecosystem-based principles. Support the design of interventions that address land degradation, water scarcity, and biodiversity conservation simultaneously.
(2) Review and validate forestry and watershed-related project plans: Critically examine Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), micro-plans, and watershed treatment plans prepared under the project. Ensure technical robustness, feasibility, and alignment with national guidelines and global best practices before implementation.
(3) Advise on soil and water conservation measures: Recommend appropriate interventions such as contour trenching, check dams, percolation tanks, and vegetative barriers. Ensure that these measures are context-specific and contribute to improving groundwater recharge and soil moisture retention.
(4) Promote ecosystem-based and nature-based solutions: Provide guidance on adopting ecosystem-based approaches that integrate biodiversity conservation with restoration. Identify and promote scalable nature-based solutions suited to degraded and climate-vulnerable landscapes.
(5) Support climate-resilient afforestation models: Advise on species selection, plantation models, and assisted natural regeneration practices that enhance climate resilience. Ensure that interventions are site-specific, ecologically appropriate, and beneficial to local communities.
(6) Ensure alignment with national and international frameworks: Guide the project in aligning forestry and water interventions with national policies, CAMPA guidelines, and UNCCD commitments. Support coherence with LDN targets and reporting requirements.
(7) Guide hydrological assessments and monitoring frameworks: Recommend methodologies for water resource assessment, watershed monitoring, and hydrological impact evaluation. Ensure integration of scientific tools and data-driven decision-making.
(8) Identify solutions for drought-prone and degraded areas: Provide technical inputs for designing interventions in arid and semi-arid landscapes. Recommend innovative practices to improve resilience against drought and extreme climate events.
(9) Facilitate convergence with ongoing government programmes: Identify opportunities for aligning project activities with schemes such as Jal Shakti Abhiyan, PMKSY, and CAMPA. Strengthen resource efficiency and enhance impact through convergence.
(10) Support adaptive management and course correction: Contribute to periodic review processes, including the Mid-Term Review (MTR), by identifying gaps and recommending evidence-based corrective actions. Ensure continuous improvement in project implementation.
4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:
Qualification:
Master’s in forestry, Hydrology, Water Resources, or related field; 3–5 years’ experience in forestry, watershed management, or ecosystem restoration.
Experience:
(1) Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in forestry, watershed management, hydrology, or ecosystem restoration projects, preferably at landscape level.
(2) Demonstrated experience in planning, reviewing, or implementing soil and water conservation and natural resource management interventions.
(3) Experience in working with government departments or development projects (preferably UNDP/GEF-supported) and familiarity with national policies such as CAMPA, watershed programmes, or UNCCD frameworks.
Required Skills:
(1) Strong organizational, documentation and coordination skills with attention to detail.
(2) Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
(3) Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and basic project tracking tools.
(4) Good communication skills for coordinating with diverse stakeholders.
(5) Ability to work effectively as part of a team and support senior project staff.
(6) Strong understanding of watershed management, forestry practices, and ecosystem restoration approaches.
(7) Ability to design and evaluate nature-based and climate-resilient interventions
(8) Experience in field-based implementation and stakeholder coordination
(9) Data interpretation skills related to land, water, and vegetation indicators
(10) Strong analytical writing and documentation skills
Skills and Competencies:
Functional Competencies:
(1) Strong technical knowledge of forest ecology, watershed management, and ecosystem restoration approaches.
(2) Ability to analyze complex environmental data and provide evidence-based recommendations.
(3) Excellent technical writing and advisory skills for review and validation of project outputs.
Core Competencies
(1) Results-oriented and accountable approach to work.
(2) Ability to adapt to evolving project needs.
(3) Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and scientific rigor in technical advice.
(4) Promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing across multidisciplinary teams.
(5) Maintains transparency and accountability in all advisory processes.
Languages:
(1) Excellent command in written and spoken English and Hindi.
5. CONSULTANCY FEE:
The total consultancy fee budgeted for this position is INR 1,11,753 per month, subject to the candidate's qualifications, relevant experience, and demonstrated expertise. Applicable TDS will be deducted from the professional fees.
6. NATURE OF ENGAGEMENT:
The selected candidate shall be engaged as a Consultant on the rolls of SAMS, a third-party payrolling agency, for a full-time consultancy engagement for a period of one year. It is explicitly clarified that this consultancy engagement does not constitute a promise or guarantee of future employment, with SAMS, or our client, or any other organization associated with the project.
7. LOCATION: New Delhi
8. REFERENCE: TEFW-ND
9. CONTACT INFORMATION:
Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phone Nos.: 011- 4081 9900; 4165 3612
www.sams.co.in
10. APPLICATION PROCESS:
Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to submit their applications using the link below, on or before July 22, 2026.
Application Link: https://www.samsstc.com/Jobs/job-description/technical-expert-forestry-and-water-sams-new-delhi-strategic-alliance-management-services-private-limited-new-delhi/651