Field Officer (Contractual Engagement)

Why Imperative

Imperative is building one of the world’s most ambitious and scientifically rigorous portfolios of nature-based carbon removal projects. Operating across Latin America, Africa, and Asia, we develop large-scale reforestation, mangrove restoration and other ecosystem-restoration project assets under a build–own–operate model, ensuring scientific integrity, operational excellence, and long-term accountability.

We aim to set the global benchmark for quality, transparency, and durability in the markets for nature-based removal credits. Our projects integrate sound forestry and applied field ecology, supported by major-projects execution capabilities, advanced remote sensing, and state-of-the-art carbon measurement and modelling to deliver true, infrastructure-grade removal outcomes.

As our portfolio scales across multiple geographies and project types, we are growing the Carbon & Impact team to match. This role will sit at the core of project delivery, translating science, data, and standards into credible, investment-grade carbon assets.

Our Values

• Integrity: We act honourably and are guided by a strong moral compass. If things go wrong, we put our hand up, admit it, and adapt.
• Momentum: Speed matters. We have a bias to action. We think quickly, plan tirelessly, mitigate risks, and above all, take action.
• Purpose: We are driven by our desire to make the world better with every interaction, process, and project.
• Accountability: We do what we say and deliver. We seek to be the best at what we do.
• Collaboration: We celebrate diversity of thought, values, and backgrounds, harnessing the strength of our people and partners to achieve more together through teamwork and creativity.
• Tenacity: We are highly ambitious, driven, and hardworking. We persist until we deliver impact.

About the Project 

• Imperative is currently exploring a potential Mangrove Restoration and Silvofishery Project in the states of Odisha and West Bengal, India (Bharat Neer Vana or the Project). While the Project may expand to additional coastal states in India in a later phase, the initial phase will focus primarily on Odisha and West Bengal. 
• The proposed Project aims to remove and store carbon by reforesting, re-establishing, restoring and/or rehabilitating degraded mangrove ecosystems while providing significant benefits to farmers, landowners and local communities through carbon finance. Imperative’s objective is to develop a world-class mangrove restoration programme along the east coast of India, with an initial target scope of 20,000 hectares. 

Imperative India and the India Project Team 

• To develop and implement this high-quality, large-scale Project, Imperative has established a local team in Odisha, which has built a presence and relationships with farmers and local communities in West Bengal and Odisha. 
• Imperative Global has registered its wholly owned Indian subsidiary, Imperative Projects India Private Limited (Imperative India). The Field Officer will be engaged by Imperative Global Projects India on a contractual basis and will work closely within the framework of the India Project Team. The India Project Team serves as the exclusive vehicle for project implementation, monitoring and management. 
• The Project is supported by multiple functions, including Social Engagement, Commercial/Land, Technical, Operations and Project Management. Given the field-based nature of the Field Officer role, the position will support and coordinate across these functions while working under the direction of the relevant functional and project leads. 

Summary of the Assignment 

1. Imperative is seeking to engage an experienced Field Officer on a contractual basis to lead on-ground implementation of Mangrove restoration project in Odisha.
2. The Field Officer’s primary role will be to support community engagement, local stakeholder coordination, field mobilisation, and the identification and documentation of potential project areas during the project development phase. 
3. The Field Officer will work closely with farmers, Gram Panchayats, Panchayati Raj Institutions, landholders, local authorities and other stakeholders and will help maintain regular communication between communities and the wider Project Team. 
4. Given the Field Officer’s presence in project locations, the role will also provide field-level support across multiple project workstreams, including Social Engagement, Commercial/Land, Technical, Operations and Project Management. This may include field data collection, land information gathering, stakeholder coordination, mobilisation, monitoring and logistical support. 
5. The Field Officer is expected to work flexibly across these workstreams as project needs evolve. However, technical assessments, legal and land due diligence conclusions, commercial decisions, project design decisions and operational approvals will remain the responsibility of the relevant functional leads. 
6. The role therefore combines strong local engagement and coordination capability with the ability to support a multi-disciplinary project team operating across different locations. 

Scope of Work and Deliverables 

1. Community engagement and relationship building: 
   • In coordination with the Social Engagement Lead, build and maintain strong relationships with local communities, stakeholders and government bodies relevant to the project. 
   • Prepare for and participate in community engagement meetings, and strengthen meeting processes and formats. 
   • Facilitate communication between the project team and local communities to ensure a collaborative approach to mangrove conservation and silvofishery development. 
   • Address and support the resolution of any conflicts or issues that arise within the community or among stakeholders. 
2. Field Data gathering and analysis: 
   • Update and analyse stakeholder mapping based on requirements provided by the Social Engagement Lead. 
   • Support the Social Engagement Lead in conducting and analysing social surveys. 
   • Support the Project Coordinator and technical team with baseline surveys, feasibility studies and any other data collection required by the team. 
3. Project implementation and support: 
   • In coordination with the Project Coordinator, Social Engagement Lead and Project Manager, provide on-site oversight of the implementation of community-driven initiatives related to mangrove restoration, conservation and sustainable resource management. 
   • Coordinate field visits, stakeholder meetings and community mobilisation efforts. 
   • Provide guidance and support to local community groups in project-related activities. 
   • Identify and map suitable land parcels, including abandoned aquaculture ponds, coastal buffer zones and degraded areas, for project development. 
   • Conduct detailed land title verification, due diligence and documentation to ensure legal clarity and project feasibility. 
   • Liaise with local authorities, landowners, revenue officials and legal consultants to ensure accurate and up-to-date land records. 
4. Capacity building and training: 
   • Organise and lead training sessions, workshops and educational programmes for communities and partners. 
   • Build the capacity of local leaders and community groups to take ownership of mangrove conservation efforts and related activities. 
5. Monitoring and reporting: 
   • Track progress and submit weekly reports on plantation, agriculture and aquaculture activities, community participation and engagement, and the impact of project activities. 
   • Prepare and contribute to periodic progress reports for project stakeholders on project implementation and community development. 
6. Collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams: 
   • In coordination with the Project Manager, Social Engagement Lead and Social Engagement Manager, support collaboration with the Imperative team, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), local government bodies, Gram Panchayats and other stakeholders to share knowledge and leverage resources for effective project implementation and expansion, community development and environmental protection. 

Key Competencies 

The successful Field Officer should demonstrate: 

1. Strong community engagement and facilitation skills; 
2. Ability to establish trust and maintain professional relationships with diverse stakeholders; 
3. Good understanding of rural and Panchayat-level dynamics; 
4. Strong field coordination and organisational ability; 
5. Ability to work across multiple project functions without losing clarity of responsibility; 
6. Sound judgement and ability to identify and escalate issues appropriately; 
7. Strong observation, documentation and reporting skills; 
8. Ability to work practically and independently in field environments; 
9. Cultural sensitivity and respect for local communities; 
10. Collaborative approach to working with multi-disciplinary teams; 
11. Ability to work across multiple project functions and field locations. 

Qualifications and Experience 

1. A master’s or equivalent degree in Social Work/Sociology, Agriculture/Horticulture, Veterinary Science, Agriculture (B.Tech), Rural Management, Community Development, Geography, Anthropology or a related field is preferred. 
2. A strong background in community engagement in rural Odisha; experience in agriculture- or forestry-focused projects will be an advantage. 
3. 8–10 years of experience implementing restoration or farm-based livelihood projects in rural Odisha, including community mobilisation, institution building and community engagement, is desirable. 
4. Proficiency in MS Office and survey software is desirable. 
5. Fluency in Odia and English is required. 
6. Women are encouraged to apply. 

Equal Opportunity 

Imperative is an equal opportunity organisation. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, caste, religion, ethnicity, disability, age, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. All engagement decisions are based on merit, qualifications and the requirements of the assignment.