Opportunities

Position: Project Officer – Human-Snake Conflict Mitigation as part of Zero Deaths from Snakebites
Location: Field-based (Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve, West Bengal)
Position Type: Full-time, 12-month contract (renewable based on performance)

About the Role

HEAL is committed to building safer, more informed communities in snakebite-prone areas while protecting India’s diverse snake species. Through our Zero Deaths from Snakebites initiative, we aim to reduce preventable deaths, demystify snakebite treatment, and promote coexistence.

As Project Officer, you will lead the implementation of this grassroots program in two remote blocks of the Sundarbans. Your role will bridge community health, emergency response, local ecology, and behavior change. You’ll work with community members, frontline health workers, rescue teams and the Forest Department to ensure that life-saving information and actions reach the last mile. Your work will directly contribute to saving lives, mitigating harmful practices, and building a culture of respect and preparedness around snakes. You can read more about the project here: Link

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Plan, coordinate, and monitor all project activities across various villages of Gosaba and Kultali blocks in line with grant timelines and deliverables
  • Develop dashboards and trackers to monitor project progress against the set timeline communicated to donors
  • Supervise and support field officers to meet monthly targets and maintain implementation quality
  • Lead all monitoring and evaluation efforts, including pre- and post-intervention surveys and maintaining project indicators (e.g., QRT response calls, hospital referrals)
  • Organize and monitor village awareness programs, and trainings for ASHA workers, faith healers, and village doctors
  • Lead the formation and operations of Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to conduct snake rescues and assist snakebite victims
  • Oversee installation of permanent metal signboards with safety and contact information across target villages
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with local health workers, Panchayat leaders, forest officials, and community stakeholders
  • Serve as a point of contact for resolving field-level issues and coordinating with vendors, trainers, and service providers
  • Train field staff and surveyors on data collection protocols and ensure data quality
  • Document and share community feedback, case studies, and stories of change
  • Draft quarterly narrative reports and manage visual documentation (photos/videos) for donors and internal learning
  • Track activity-wise budget usage and maintain records of expenses, honorariums, and equipment distribution
  • Ensure ethical and inclusive implementation by respecting local culture, avoiding misinformation, and addressing sensitive themes like faith-based healing and gender dynamics
  • Uphold HEAL’s values of equity, scientific integrity, and community empowerment

Who We’re Looking For

You’re someone who thrives in rural, real-world settings—empathetic, organized, and committed to tangible impact. You’re equally comfortable leading field coordination as you are analyzing survey results or reporting to donors. Above all, you care deeply about protecting wildlife, shifting local health behaviors, and saving lives.

We’re looking for someone who brings:

  • 2-5 years of experience in herpetofauna conservation, community-based conservation, snakebite management, human-wildlife conflict mitigation or rural development projects
  • A graduate or post graduate degree in Wildlife Conservation, Herpetology, Social Science, Environmental Science, Rural Development, Public Health, or a related field (preferred)
  • Strong project management skills including timeline creation, budgeting, vendor coordination, and multitasking across geographies
  • Experience in organising or conducting awareness sessions, resolving on-ground challenges, and building rapport across diverse rural stakeholders
  • Boundless passion for snake or herpetofauna conservation, driving behavioural change for positive conservation outcomes
  • An ability to think analytically—drawing insights from QRT response data, survey findings, or field observations
  • A readiness to take ownership and initiative in a distributed, lightly structured team
  • Comfort with extensive travel to remote villages, and the maturity to navigate sensitive issues such as fear, superstition, and gender dynamics around snakebites
  • A collaborative spirit, capable of coordinating 6–8 team members indirectly while maintaining a positive field culture
  • Demonstrated ability in survey design, data collection, and basic analysis using social science principles—familiarity with tools like KoboToolbox or ODK is appreciated
  • Excellent communication and documentation skills in English for writing reports and coordinating with funders and Bengali for field coordination and engagement with locals
  • High digital literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and WhatsApp-based field coordination
  • Driver’s license and adequate driving experience. 2 wheeler is good, 2 and 4 wheeler is great!

What You’ll Gain

  • The opportunity to be at the forefront of a life-saving, behavior-change movement in one of India’s most snakebite-affected regions 
  • A platform to shape innovative, replicable models for snakebite mitigation and human-wildlife coexistence
  • Deep insight into how public health, cultural beliefs, and conservation intersect in rural landscapes allowing you to grow as a holistic changemaker
  • Hands-on experience in managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects—from community mobilization to monitoring and evaluation
  • The satisfaction of seeing your efforts translate into real-world impact—from awareness camps and rescued snakes to lives saved and communities transformed

Salary will depend on your qualifications and experience

The position will have a three-month probation period and you will need to commit for a period of at least one year, with a possibility of further extension based on mutual agreement, performance review, and contingent on availability of funds.

Candidates who are interested in opportunities for long-term and sustained engagements and commitments to landscape and conservation are especially encouraged to apply. The candidate will be expected to also work on preparing proposals, reports, and publications periodically.

To Apply:
Send your CV and a short Statement of Purpose (max 500 words) to healearth2010@gmail.com
Subject line: Application – Project Officer (Snakebite Project)
Last date to apply: 10 May 2025