Consultant – Senior Field Officer, Programs

ChildFund’s Values

ChildFund values a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment where everyone is welcomed and celebrated equally. In our culture of connection, you will have ample opportunity to grow, learn, and lead while contributing your talents and innovations to our inspiring mission.

ChildFund’s Commitment

ChildFund India’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures will be strictly adhered to throughout the engagement period to ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of children and vulnerable adults. ChildFund India maintains a zero-tolerance approach towards sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment (SEAH), and all forms of harm by staff, partners, consultants, vendors, and representatives in the delivery of its programmes and services. The organisation is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment within the workplace and in the communities where it operates. Accordingly, the selected candidate will be required to sign ChildFund India’s Safeguarding Commitment and Behavioural Protocol as part of the contractual agreement and comply with all safeguarding standards, policies, and do-no-harm principles throughout the engagement period.

The role will coordinate closely with the Program Specialist, technical team, Project Officer, GIS-MEAL Officer, government departments, community institutions, implementing partners, and other stakeholders to ensure quality, accountability, efficiency, sustainability, and effective project delivery.

The role requires strong stakeholder engagement, resource mobilization, program quality assurance, and technical understanding of agroforestry and climate change.

Remain alert and responsive to any safeguarding risks; acquire and maintain the relevant knowledge and skills necessary to promote strong safeguarding practices; understand and adhere to ChildFund India’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures; and conduct yourself at all times in a manner consistent with ChildFund India’s safeguarding principles and standards.

Work Experience: Minimum 4 yearsof experience in program management, preferably in the development sector, including climate resilience, agroforestry, rural livelihoods, or a related field. Proven experience managing large-scale, multi-stakeholder development, conservation, climate resilience, agroforestry, or rural livelihoods programs. Demonstrated experience in project planning, budgeting, donor compliance, and program reporting. Experience working with government institutions, donors, NGOs, technical agencies, and community-based organizations.

Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English and Tamil; knowledge of other local languages is an advantage.

Skills and Abilities: Strong leadership, people management, communication, negotiation, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results within tight timelines. Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and program/project management tools.

Knowledge: Strong understanding of agroforestry, climate change, carbon finance and carbon markets, and rural livelihoods. Good understanding of gender, social inclusion, safeguarding, and environmental sustainability.

Others: Willingness to be based close to the project area and travel extensively within project locations.

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the overall project.
• Lead periodic program planning, budgeting, and implementation.
• Ensure achievement of project objectives, outcomes, indicators, and deliverables within agreed timelines.
• Provide technical and managerial guidance to key project staff.
• Ensure effective coordination among technical, field, GIS-MEAL, finance, and administrative functions.
• Lead regular project review meetings and follow up on agreed actions.

B. Program Quality and Technical Oversight

• Ensure quality implementation of agroforestry, climate resilience, carbon-related, and rural livelihoods interventions.
• Provide strategic guidance on community engagement, farmer mobilization, and sustainable livelihoods approaches.
• Integrate gender, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and safeguarding principles throughout implementation.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, learning, and scale-up of successful interventions.

C. Planning, Budget, and Compliance

• Oversee project budgets and ensure effective and efficient use of resources.
• Monitor budget performance in coordination with Finance and project teams.
• Ensure compliance with donor agreements, organizational policies, procurement requirements, and reporting standards.
• Review and ensure timely submission of donor reports, program updates, financial inputs, and other required documentation.
• Identify project risks and ensure appropriate mitigation measures are developed and implemented.

D. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

• Work closely with the GIS-MEAL Officer to monitor progress against approved indicators and targets.
• Ensure effective documentation of project results, learning, challenges, and good practices.
• Use monitoring and evaluation findings to strengthen program quality and inform management decisions.
• Facilitate periodic reviews, assessments, and learning events.

E. Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with government departments, donors, technical institutions, private-sector partners, community institutions, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the organization and project in relevant government, donor, and sector forums.
• Strengthen convergence and partnership opportunities to enhance sustainability and impact.
• Support resource mobilization and the development of new partnerships, where relevant.

F. Team Management and Capacity Building

• Supervise, mentor, and support the Project Officer, GIS-MEAL Officer, and other project staff.
• Ensure clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations within the project team.
• Identify capacity-building needs and facilitate appropriate learning and development opportunities.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, inclusion, and a positive organizational culture.

G. Representation, Communication, and Visibility

• Represent the organization in external meetings, workshops, consultations, and relevant forums.
• Support effective communication of project achievements, learning, and impact.
• Ensure appropriate visibility of the project and donor/partner contributions in line with agreed requirements.
• Prepare and present project updates to senior management, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Perform any other responsibilities assigned by the line manager.

• Teamwork: the ability to work effectively and collaborate with others; values and respects individual differences.
• Communication: demonstrates empathy and tact when communicating with others and uses a storytelling approach when appropriate.
• Results orientation: gets things done; takes proactive steps to achieve organizational goals and quality standards.
• Decision making: uses good judgement, critical thinking, and non-traditional ways to evaluate problems and opportunities; reflects and innovates to improve decisions and outcomes.
• Resilience: thrives and grows in rapidly changing, demanding, and complex environments.
• Digital literacy: adopts and champions new technology to relevant contexts, stays aware of technological trends and embraces technological solutions to business challenges.