Sustainable Infrastructure Specialist

WWF Nepal, the global conservation organization leading international efforts for a living planet, seeks applications from qualified Nepali candidates for the following full-time position. If you think you are an achiever and willing to work within a diverse team in a multicultural environment with commitment and passion for what you believe in, you are highly encouraged to apply.

Our Mission

At WWF Nepal, we firmly believe people and nature are inextricably linked. Our mission is to stop the degradation of our planet’s natural environment and build a future Nepal in which people live in harmony with nature.

Our Vision

From its origins as a small group of committed wildlife enthusiasts, WWF has grown into one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, active in over 100 countries.

Over this time, WWF’s focus has evolved from localized efforts in favor of a single species and individual habitats to an ambitious strategy to preserve biodiversity and achieve sustainable development across the globe.

WWF-Nepal envisions a prosperous Nepal, with an active and socially responsible citizenry that a greater sense of stewardship towards the environment.

Our Core Values

We celebrate and respect diversity in nature and among the people, partners, and communities with whom we work. Across the many cultures and individuals that represent WWF, we are unified by one mission, one brand, and one common set of values:

Courage: We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.

Integrity: We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability, and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure we learn and evolve.

Respect: We honor the voices and knowledge of the people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.

Collaboration: We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

Major Functions:

The Sustainable Infrastructure Specialist will be responsible for assessing the potential impacts of large-scale infrastructure on conservation and developing strategic, collaborative approaches to address the issue in an amicable manner. Under the supervision of the Conservation Program Director, the Specialist will be responsible for building and strengthening the capacity of government agencies, civil society organizations, development partners, and academic institutions while coordinating closely with relevant stakeholders to promote sustainable green infrastructure (wildlife-friendly and climate-smart) to reduce any adverse impacts of infrastructure on the ecosystem and biodiversity.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Technical support to appraise and address the adverse impacts of infrastructure development

Working closely with the supervisor, as well as internal and external stakeholders at both field and central levels, the incumbent will support work on sustainable green infrastructure—both broadly and within WWF’s priority landscapes—to assess and, where possible, mitigate the adverse impacts of infrastructure (primarily linear and point) development on biodiversity, including wildlife, freshwater systems, and forests. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to: identifying and mapping planned infrastructure developments across landscapes; reviewing environmental and social impacts, including those arising from unsustainable extraction of construction materials; assessing and providing inputs on developers’ Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA/IEE); identifying cumulative impacts of multiple infrastructure projects and preparing case studies and analytical reports grounded in data and evidence; coordinating stakeholder identification and engagement in the environmental flows (E-flows) process; and identifying best practices and recommending appropriate mitigation measures for the planning, design, and implementation of major linear and point infrastructure projects. The role is expected to focus primarily on hydropower development, transmission lines, new roads and railway lines, highway expansions, irrigation systems, urban growth, and other emerging infrastructure priorities.

2. Provide technical support in Green recovery and mainstreaming Climate Change and DRR in infrastructure work

Work closely with WWF core team, disaster relief committees, donors, and other networks; promote awareness, provide technical advice, and develop a strategy for Green recovery and reconstruction, identifying priority needs and opportunities based on needs using WWF’s existing experience and knowledge. The incumbent works closely with the Climate and Energy thematic team, promotes mainstreaming of climate adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) into the infrastructure sector, identify measures together with developers and donors to take account of possible risks from climate and development scenarios. Support building climate resilient and carbon neutral infrastructure through designing and implementation of practices, protocols, and guidelines.

3. Technical Suggestion to senior leadership team and Cross Learning among WWF’s Thematic Teams

Proactively update WWF Nepal’s senior management team and thematic leads on major infrastructure developments, as well as relevant laws, policies, and emerging environmental risks associated with development activities, to help shape and position WWF Nepal’s response. This includes regularly monitoring key projects, synthesizing complex information, and delivering timely analyses supported by accurate data, verified evidence, geospatial insights, and illustrative case studies to inform strategic decision-making and programmatic actions.

4. Coordinate with donors, developers, academics, and government to strengthen the enabling environment and best practices

Develop working relationships with developers, donors, and relevant government departments, local and state governments to enhance the enabling environment and best practices in environmentally friendly infrastructure development. Provide inputs in policies (drafting and revision) related to infrastructure development and natural resources safeguards. This responsibility may include coordination with different CSO/Network/interest groups that are actively engaged in any infrastructure development project in the country. Coordinate with academia (School, Campus and university) to support mainstreaming infrastructure issues in their curricula.  

5. Support the development team and field team in the design and implementation of safeguard measures in related projects

Work as focal point for nature safeguarding of all infrastructure related works as demanded by infrastructure related projects. The incumbent will work closely with WWF’s development team towards the inception of new concept notes and design of projects relevance to WWF’s infrastructure work. Specialists shall contribute towards other thematic teams in developing integrated projects in WWF’s working landscape. For assigned projects, provide technical guidance for implementation to the field team, researcher/consultants and contribute to project completion reports and address relevant thematic areas as required by the project deliverables. Keep track of issues or related developments that are useful for safeguards implementation and new or updates to country safeguard systems (e.g., laws, policies, regulations, and procedures).

6. Monitoring, Evaluation, Knowledge and Learning

Working closely with Monitoring and Evaluation staff, monitoring progress of the infrastructure work and contributing to performance monitoring, progress reports and final program reports. Enhance knowledge and learning on best practices including Sustainable Green Infrastructure (SGI) practices; document lessons from infrastructure work and contribute to WWF Nepal's learning program including knowledge sharing and capacity building. The incumbent should keep track of the progress in the field of infrastructure development, including at bilateral and multilateral levels. In addition, s/he should be continuously keeping track of public sector investment by local and state level governments in areas of WWF interest, particularly conservation landscapes and areas of biodiversity significance.

7. Communication and Technical Reporting

Promote communication of messages on infrastructure impacts and ways to reduce them, such as modeling tools for decision makers; awareness and outreach events; and production of publications, technical reports, and other materials; for key audiences including decision makers, developers, donors, practitioners, partners, and the public. Communication work will be undertaken in coordination with the WWF communication team.

8. Other Duties

Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor and play an active role in successful operation of the department.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Working Relationships:

Internal: This position is a cross cutting in nature. It needs to be closely with staff members from the goal team and landscape team in Kathmandu and relevant people from the field team.

External: Interacts regularly with consultants, developers, donors, and Government of Nepal officials.

Minimum Work Requirements:

Knowledge: A master’s degree in civil engineering or environmental engineering

Experience: At least 5 years of experience working on infrastructure development, with strong experience in environmental impact assessment/initial environmental examination is essential; experience in environmental management related with roads, railways, transmission lines, and hydropower development is preferred. Knowledge and/or experience in green-resilient infrastructure development, natural resources safeguards, DRR, and climate change adaptation is desirable.

Skills and Abilities:

• This position requires commitment to reducing adverse impacts of infrastructure on the biodiversity and overall environment.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to think outside the box; good facilitation and communication skills including written and spoken English is required.
• S/he should have the ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders including government, academia, developers, donors, NGOs, research groups, and local community groups.  
• S/he should be effectively able to prioritize and work under time constraints, using initiative and judgement. 
• Strong interpersonal, diplomatic and team-player skills are essential.

Interested applicants are requested to apply for the position by 17:00 hours on September 16, 2026.  Only shortlisted candidates will be informed.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

WWF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please join us in our mission to save life on Earth.