Careers - Centre for Wildlife Studies

Join one of India’s oldest wildlife research and conservation organizations, with opportunities for both freshers to dip their toes into conservation, as well as experienced professionals to become a part of our ever-growing CWS Team.

Program Manager - Finance

Can you harness your finance and accounting expertise to make a meaningful impact on wildlife conservation in India? In this role, you’ll be managing all finance and accounting requirements for the Centre for Wildlife Studies.

Location: Bangalore
Type: Full Time

Key Responsibilities
1. Maintain and review on a day-to-day basis using Tally or other accounting software
2. Lead the end-to-end implementation of ERP systems, ensuring seamless integration across Finance, Accounts, HR, and Operations
3. Verifying and processing employee expenses and vendor payments in a timely and accurate manner
4. Attending statutory & internal audits, due diligence, providing necessary information & clarifications, liaising with auditors
5. Ensure effective project accounting, accurate job cost reporting, and timely analysis of financial projections for all active projects, as required by management
6. Regularly manage and coordinate all fiscal reporting activities for the organization, including revenue and expense tracking, balance sheet reporting, submissions to funding agencies, and the development and monitoring of organizational and contract/grant budgets
7. Preparation of Financial MIS in customized formats tailored to the requirements of different stakeholders
8. Investment & Fund Management
9. Ensure effective liquidity management and maintain optimal cash and fund flow to meet operational and strategic requirements
10. Preparation, execution, and reporting of budgets, including analysis of Budget vs. Actuals, Financial vs. Physical performance, and Physical vs. Impact metrics
11. Provide the company’s management with a comprehensive operating budget
12. Ensuring compliance with FCRA and other applicable legal and statutory regulations
13. Ensure timely and accurate periodic filings of Returns, Income Tax, TDS, EPF, Professional Tax, and FCRA
14. Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable – Maintenance and Follow-up
15. Providing cost analysis support and ensuring compliance with all contractual and programmatic requirements
16. Ensure that all expenditures comply with organizational guidelines and implement measures to prevent fraud and misuse of funds

Required Skills
1. At least 6-8 years of experience in managing finance for a Development Sector Organization.
2. Work experience in a National Level Organization with Annual Operating Budgets upwards of 10-15 crores per annum
3. Education: CA/ CA – Inter or MBA Finance.
4. Working knowledge of Tally – preferably ERP 9.00 version.
5. Excellent analytical thinking, financial acumen with speed and accuracy, communication skills.
6. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Suite. ERP
7. Results-driven and self-motivated with the ability to independently work and inspire the pursuit of excellence.
8. This position will be responsible for all activities pertaining to Finance & Accounts of CWS.
9. Should be well versed with F&A operations and must have experience in Trust/NGO set up.

Application Process
1. Letter of Intent (1 – 2 pages), describing personal interest and experience
2. Resume/CV with relevant work experience
3. References (minimum of 3 with contact details)

To apply, either fill out this form or write to Akhil SP (akhil.sp@cwsindia.org) with the subject line “Application for Finance Manager.”

Outreach Fellow

The Centre for Wildlife Studies seeks a proactive and organized Outreach Fellow to support its fundraising communications, audience engagement, email marketing, newsletters, and institutional communication. The Fellow will work closely with the Media & Outreach and Fundraising teams to develop engaging communication for retail fundraising and crowdfunding campaigns, strengthen audience engagement, and maintain regular communication with CWS’ various audiences.

The role will also involve writing and editing, newsletter management, basic design, website updates, institutional communication, analytics, and the responsible use of AI and digital tools. We are looking for someone who enjoys combining communication, creativity, organization, and technology to build stronger connections between CWS and its supporters. We are looking for someone with relevant experience or background, but equally importantly, someone who demonstrates a strong interest in fundraising communication, audience engagement, digital communication, and wildlife conservation.

Requirements:

1. Fundraising Communications and Donor Engagement

Support the planning and execution of retail fundraising and crowdfunding campaigns.
Write and edit fundraising emails, campaign content, updates, follow-up communication, and other audience-facing material.
Help develop engagement journeys that build stronger and more consistent communication with CWS audiences.
Support audience segmentation and communication tailored to different groups and stages of engagement.
Create campaign creatives and communication assets using Canva.
Coordinate and run fundraising communication across email, website, social media, design, and other digital channels where required.

2. Newsletters, Email Marketing and Audience Engagement

Coordinate CWS’ monthly newsletter, including gathering inputs, writing, editing, assembling, testing, and distribution.
Manage regular email communication through platforms such as Flodesk.
Maintain and improve mailing lists, audience segments, subscription records, email templates, and recurring communication.
Support welcome emails, campaign sequences, follow-up emails, and basic email automations.
Create or adapt simple visual content for newsletters and email campaigns using Canva.

3. Institutional Communication and Content

Support the maintenance and updating of CWS profiles, program summaries, organizational statistics, and other institutional communication materials.
Write and edit accessible public-facing content based on research findings, program updates, field stories, campaigns, and organizational developments.
Create and update simple institutional and digital communication materials using Canva.
Assist with routine website updates, including campaign pages, donation pages, blogs, program information, and other organizational content.
Support communication and curating informatio for campaigns, events, partnerships, publications, grants, proposals, and outreach initiatives.
Ensure that all communication is accurate, accessible, and aligned with CWS’ scientific, language, and brand guidelines.
Gather and review performance across relevant communication channels and use insights to improve future communication and engagement.

Skills:

0–2 years of relevant experience in communications, fundraising communication, journalism, digital marketing, media, or a related field.
Demonstrated interest in fundraising communication, community building, wildlife conservation, or nonprofit communication.
Strong written and spoken English.
Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills across different audiences and mediums.
Strong proficiency in Canva.
Ability to understand and communicate research or program information clearly.
Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
Comfortable using AI-assisted tools as part of day-to-day work and willing to learn new digital workflows.
Familiarity with social media platforms and digital content formats.
Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and willingness to learn and improve.
Willing to learn new digital platforms, analytics tools, and communication systems.
Candidates with relevant academic, internship, freelance, project, or volunteer experience and a strong demonstrated interest in the role are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Skills (Not Mandatory)

Experience with fundraising campaigns, crowdfunding, email marketing, audience engagement, social media or digital campaigns.
Familiarity with Flodesk, Mailchimp, Brevo, or similar email marketing platforms.
Familiarity with WordPress or another content management system.
Basic familiarity with Google Analytics, Hootsuite or digital performance reporting.
Experience working with research, conservation or social-sector organizations.
Comfort with technology, automation tools, and experimenting with new digital workflows.
Proficiency in Kannada or another Indian language is an advantage but not mandatory.

Click here to apply.

Program Manager - Human Resources

Can you use your HR expertise to build a strong, efficient team supporting wildlife conservation efforts in India? In this role, you will be managing Human Resource Responsibilities to ensure effective people management for the Centre for Wildlife Studies.

Key Responsibilities
1. Maintaining physical and digital personnel records.
2. Work closely with different departments for HR processes
3. Work closely with Admin and Finance team for related tasks.
4. Communicate regularly with staff to address queries and liaise with senior management as needed.
5. Develop, maintain, and deliver onboarding and training materials.
6. Collect and organize payroll data
7. Manage end-to-end recruitment and selection processes with the hiring team

8. Personnel Management
9. Prepare HR-related reports, dashboards, and presentations for management review.
10. Manage relationships and negotiate with vendors for HR and organizational requirements.
11. Contribute to and support workplace policies
12. Plan and coordinate employee training and development programs to enhance skills and performance
13. Oversee the Administrative team coordination

Required Skills
1. Excellent analytical thinking and communication skills.
2. Minimum 5 years of work experience in Managing HR and Admin Functions.
3. MBA -HR or equivalent educational qualification.
4. Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, GoogleDrive, Slack and Asana.
5. Understanding of HRIS systems and ERP systems

Application Process
1. Letter of Intent (1 – 2 pages), describing personal interest and experience
2. Resume/CV with relevant work experience
3. References (minimum of 3 with contact details)

To apply, please click here.

Field Assistant: Primate and
Hornbill Surveys

We are seeking field assistants to support surveys of primates and hornbills in forest landscapes, specifically in Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary and the Thenmala and Punalur Forest Divisions in southern Kerala. This opportunity is intended for students interested in pursuing a career in ecology and conservation and gaining hands-on experience in field-based wildlife research. The assistantship will involve intensive fieldwork, including wildlife surveys through transect walks, camera traps, and acoustic loggers, habitat assessments, ecological data collection, and extended periods of work in forest environments.

Eligibility and requirements:

Must be from Kerala and fluent in Malayalam.
Must have prior fieldwork experience and an understanding of the challenges and risks associated with working in elephant habitat, including physically demanding fieldwork in undulating terrain. Candidates without prior field exposure are requested not to apply.
Must be physically fit and comfortable with long walks in challenging terrain and field conditions.
Must be able to adapt to basic field facilities and living conditions.
Must be highly flexible and adaptable to changing field schedules, locations, weather conditions, and logistical constraints.
Must be comfortable working both independently and as part of a field team.

Preference will be given to candidates from southern Kerala.

Duration: 3 months, beginning 15 October 2026
Stipend: ₹20,000/month
To apply: Please send your CV and a brief statement describing your field experience and interest in ecology and conservation to swapna.nelaballi@cwsindia.org

Application deadline: 25 September 2026

Chief of Staff

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Start Date: Immediate
Location: Bengaluru

The Chief of Staff will partner closely with the Chief Executive Officer to drive organizational execution, streamline systems, and oversee cross-functional initiatives in a rapidly growing organization. This role requires a high-agency, strategic, and execution-oriented leader who thrives in ambiguous environments, spots organizational gaps early, and independently drives solutions end-to-end. The ideal candidate brings strong experience in organizational building, systems implementation, and cross-team coordination in a growing or fast-scaling environment. The Chief of Staff will serve as a key bridge between the CEO, leadership team, and external stakeholders, ensuring that priorities translate into action and that the organization operates with clarity, accountability, and momentum.

Key Responsibilities

Act as a strategic thought partner to the CEO, helping define organizational priorities and ensuring they are clearly communicated and executed across teams.
Translate strategy into structured execution plans with clear ownership, milestones, and accountability, and track progress across key organizational initiatives.
Proactively identify organizational gaps, bottlenecks, and opportunities, and independently design and drive solutions end-to-end.
Lead and monitor the execution of high-priority initiatives across operations, fundraising, HR, technology, and communications, ensuring cross-team alignment and timely delivery.
Build and implement systems for project management, decision tracking, internal communication, and information flow to strengthen organizational effectiveness.
Introduce and manage enterprise tools such as CRMs, project management platforms, knowledge repositories, and AI-enabled productivity tools, ensuring adoption and consistent use across teams.
Support leadership team processes including annual planning, progress reviews, and resolution of cross-functional bottlenecks in collaboration with the CEO, Directors, and Program Managers.
Represent the CEO Office in meetings with donors, advisors, partners, and senior stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and diligent follow-through.
Support fundraising and external engagement through proposal development, narrative building, data consolidation, and coordinated donor communication.
Strengthen organization-wide communication and contribute to outward-facing storytelling that effectively conveys the organization’s work, impact, and vision.
Lead special strategic projects requiring cross-department collaboration, structured problem-solving, and high execution ownership.

Required Skills

At least 15+ years of experience in a Development Sector Organization leading cross-functional projects, systems-building, or strategic execution in a growing organization (social enterprise, startup, consulting, climate/sustainability sector preferred).
Proven ability to operate with high agency and ownership, identifying problems early and driving solutions from concept through execution.
Exceptional project and operations leadership, with a proven ability to bring structure, clarity, and accountability to complex and unstructured settings.
Highly proactive, execution-oriented self-starter who anticipates needs, drives initiatives forward, and works independently with minimal oversight.
Outstanding communication skills, including writing, facilitation, and executive-level presentations.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while collaborating effectively across diverse, multidisciplinary teams.
Strong analytical and organizational skills, with hands-on experience implementing and managing digital systems (CRMs, project management platforms, and knowledge-management tools).
Strong external-facing capability, with confidence engaging donors, partners, advisors, and senior stakeholders.
Comfort using and experimenting with technology and AI tools to improve productivity, decision-making, and organizational systems.
Entrepreneurial, collaborative, and mission-driven, with strong curiosity and interest in wildlife conservation, climate action, and rural development.

Application Process

Letter of Intent (1 – 2 pages), describing personal interest and experience.
Professional References (minimum of 3 with contact details).
Resume/CV with relevant work experience.

Please fill the form here to be considered for this position.

Executive Assistant

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Start Date: Immediate
Location: Bengaluru
Application Deadline: 20th March 2026

The Executive Assistant to the CEO will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer to ensure smooth day-to-day operations of the CEO’s office, manage executive scheduling, coordinate internal and external communication, and support the execution of key organizational priorities. The role requires a highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented professional who can manage multiple responsibilities while maintaining confidentiality and efficiency in a fast-paced, mission-driven organization.