Nisha Dsouza Email & Phone Number

Bengaluru, Ka, In

India

EcoNiche is a consultancy based in India, operating as a sole proprietorship. Our team comprises experts from diverse backgrounds, collaborating to assist funding and implementation partners in crafting and executing effective conservation action strategies. We offer expertise in conducting needs-based assessments, creating compelling proposals (including developing theories of change and logical frameworks), comprehensive program and project management services, and detailed monitoring… Show more EcoNiche is a consultancy based in India, operating as a sole proprietorship. Our team comprises experts from diverse backgrounds, collaborating to assist funding and implementation partners in crafting and executing effective conservation action strategies. We offer expertise in conducting needs-based assessments, creating compelling proposals (including developing theories of change and logical frameworks), comprehensive program and project management services, and detailed monitoring, reporting, and verification systems to communicate impacts and results effectively. Additionally, we develop activity-based budgets and timelines for efficient resource management and integrate sustainable practices into all interventions to ensure long-term impact. Our capacity-building efforts include skills-building workshops to enhance project management capabilities for effective conservation action and leadership, as well as education and awareness initiatives focused on the socio-ecological dimensions of biodiversity, ecosystem-based adaptation, restoration, and resilience-building. At EcoNiche, we are committed to empowering our partners with the knowledge and tools needed to make a lasting positive impact on the environment. Show less

India

The C-SCAPES initiative is dedicated to the conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity and the enhancement of livelihood security to foster sustainable development along India's coastline. Joining the nascent initiative in 2019, I played a pivotal role in establishing the vision, objectives, programmatic areas of work and associated operational systems and processes, to enable TCSRD (Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development) to effectively measure, monitor, and communicate the impacts… Show more The C-SCAPES initiative is dedicated to the conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity and the enhancement of livelihood security to foster sustainable development along India's coastline. Joining the nascent initiative in 2019, I played a pivotal role in establishing the vision, objectives, programmatic areas of work and associated operational systems and processes, to enable TCSRD (Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development) to effectively measure, monitor, and communicate the impacts of their work.In my capacity as Consultant Programme Coordinator, I am responsible for managing and overseeing the C-SCAPES project portfolio, tracking project impacts against defined objectives and goals, and supporting the TCSRD biodiversity team. I ensure the availability and optimal utilisation of resources, administer program budgets, and develop strategic project proposals, which encompass needs-based assessments, theories of change, activity-based timelines and budgets, and comprehensive impact monitoring, evaluation, and verification plans.I provide support and oversight for project implementation, focusing on capacity and skills building, strengthening partnerships and collaborations, progress reporting, information sharing, adapting project proposals and budgets, and distributing funds across the project portfolio. My role also includes conducting monitoring, verification, and reporting (MVR) through field visits, stakeholder interviews, remote-sensing methodologies, and socio-economic and biodiversity surveys. Additionally, I facilitate effective communication between the C-SCAPES team, the C-SCAPES Advisory Council, TCSRD Board Members, and TCL leadership, and represent C-SCAPES at meetings, conferences, and workshops. Show less

India

Leading the EcoNiche team, I oversee the redesign of a transformative 5-year strategy and associated Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework, and Management Information System (MIS). Funded by Fondation Chanel, this assignment will enable NEWS to track and measure their progress across key objectives and results areas (KRAs) while assessing the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impacts, and long-terms sustainability of their initiatives.

India

- Development and facilitated delivery of an organisation-wide conservation impact monitoring and measurement framework including science-based guidance of project design, monitoring and progress targets and indicators, measurement methodologies, and related capacity building and training for staff and implementation partners;- Development of a mangrove conservation action plan including rapid socio-ecological resilience assessments and problem identification based on literature reviews… Show more - Development and facilitated delivery of an organisation-wide conservation impact monitoring and measurement framework including science-based guidance of project design, monitoring and progress targets and indicators, measurement methodologies, and related capacity building and training for staff and implementation partners;- Development of a mangrove conservation action plan including rapid socio-ecological resilience assessments and problem identification based on literature reviews, expert consultations and socio-economic surveys, establishing an understanding and documentation of the best information on previous relevant actions implemented by SGI and other organisations, to date, identification of ongoing policies, schemes, projects and any other actions related to mangrove restoration/plantation, identification of plantation priority areas and understanding of site-specific ecology (species diversity, species composition etc.) using a range of approaches, recommendations for plantation and monitoring methodologies and approaches, identification of external factors critical to success/failure and suggested mitigation measures, and future scenario exploration to determine continued relevance and sustainability of mangrove plantations;- Providing oversight to mangrove projects in Odisha including capacity and skills building, strengthening of partnerships and collaborations, progress reporting; sharing of information and lessons learned, adaptation of proposals and budgets, and fund distribution; and,- Data processing and verification of partner-reported project impacts through on-field visits, stakeholder interviews, remote-sensing data and socio-economic and biodiversity surveys. Show less

South Asia

I supported Paryavaran Mitra's and terre de hommes (tdh) Local to Global project by developing and designing a climate science curriculum, including lesson plans, visual aids, and activities. This curriculum enhances understanding of Earth's climate system, enables youth to assess credible climate information, communicate about climate change, and make informed decisions. Modules cover the climate system, carbon cycle, climate indicators, human impacts, climate change effects, mitigation, and… Show more I supported Paryavaran Mitra's and terre de hommes (tdh) Local to Global project by developing and designing a climate science curriculum, including lesson plans, visual aids, and activities. This curriculum enhances understanding of Earth's climate system, enables youth to assess credible climate information, communicate about climate change, and make informed decisions. Modules cover the climate system, carbon cycle, climate indicators, human impacts, climate change effects, mitigation, and adaptation. Each module includes lesson plans, case studies, activities, visual aids, and resources for trainers. Developed in English and translated into Hindi, I conducted a 3-day workshop to train fifty NGO and CBO staff, trainers, and youth leaders in using the curriculum. I continue to provide scientific and technical support for the curriculum's implementation across India, Nepal, and Pakistan. As part of this, I led coastal biodiversity walks in the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary to educate partners and youth leaders about mangrove ecosystems. Show less

India

- Conducted desk reviews and assessments of data from socio-economic and biodiversity surveys administered by local partners, remote-sensing data (drone and satellite) collected by third-party partners, and donor reports submitted.- Visited forty agroforestry and mangrove plantation site visits across North and East India to validate presence and health of plantations against set targets. - Verified partner-reported impacts through facilitated individual and participatory group… Show more - Conducted desk reviews and assessments of data from socio-economic and biodiversity surveys administered by local partners, remote-sensing data (drone and satellite) collected by third-party partners, and donor reports submitted.- Visited forty agroforestry and mangrove plantation site visits across North and East India to validate presence and health of plantations against set targets. - Verified partner-reported impacts through facilitated individual and participatory group discussions with plantation partners, farmers, labourers & landowners, on-field. - Evaluated the role of plantations in facilitating post-climate-disaster recovery through physical protection of lives and infrastructure, and strengthened financial security. - Provided recommendations to strengthen project design and monitoring processes and systems, agroforestry and reforestation approaches, and on-ground implementation of plantation projects. Show less

South Asia

- Facilitated discussions with eleven local child’s-rights NGOs across South Asia and designed needs-based assessment surveys for local NGOs in each country to conduct within their selected partner communities. - Conceptualised strategies to address the common needs for youth-led nature-based solutions to deliver water and food security and sustainable waste management, and their strengthened, meaningful participation in local, national, and regional climate policy and decision-making… Show more - Facilitated discussions with eleven local child’s-rights NGOs across South Asia and designed needs-based assessment surveys for local NGOs in each country to conduct within their selected partner communities. - Conceptualised strategies to address the common needs for youth-led nature-based solutions to deliver water and food security and sustainable waste management, and their strengthened, meaningful participation in local, national, and regional climate policy and decision-making. - Developed a funding proposal including log frame; activity-based timelines and budgets; impact monitoring, evaluation, and reporting plans; and mapping of sustainability strategies beyond the project scope. This multi-country, multi-year proposal was submitted to BMU (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany) and tdh was awarded the project in 2022. Show less

India

- Conducted discussions with 5 local child’s-rights NGOs in West Bengal and designed needs-based assessment surveys for them to conduct within their partner communities on the islands in the Indian Sundarbans. - Developed and conducted a rapid resilience assessment report, based on data and information from literature reviews, field surveys and stakeholder discussions, to determine the vulnerability, exposure and adaptive capacity of the mangrove ecosystem and communities to climate shocks… Show more - Conducted discussions with 5 local child’s-rights NGOs in West Bengal and designed needs-based assessment surveys for them to conduct within their partner communities on the islands in the Indian Sundarbans. - Developed and conducted a rapid resilience assessment report, based on data and information from literature reviews, field surveys and stakeholder discussions, to determine the vulnerability, exposure and adaptive capacity of the mangrove ecosystem and communities to climate shocks and stressors, in the Indian Sundarbans. - Conceptualised strategies to address the decreasing socio-ecological resilience in the Indian Sundarbans, to climate-induced disasters. - Developed funding proposal including log frame; activity-based timelines and budgets; impact monitoring, evaluation, and reporting plans; and mapping of sustainability strategies beyond the project scope. This multi-country, multi-year proposal was submitted to BMU (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany) and tdh was awarded the project in 2021. Show less

India

Analysed coral reef restoration health data from projects spanning ten years, conducted in the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Tamil Nadu. Designed an information brochure to communicate results and recommendations to key stakeholders including the Forest Department, Government of Tamil Nadu.

India

Led the delivery of 25 partnership-based projects across 5 Indian coastal states for increased coastal community and biodiversity resilience. Demonstrated workable conservation solutions to Govt. of India, towards delivery of national SDG 14 targets.- Liaised with governments and conservation practitioners on behalf of IUCN and MFF National Coordination Body, Chaired by Sec. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).- Contributed to strengthened functional and… Show more Led the delivery of 25 partnership-based projects across 5 Indian coastal states for increased coastal community and biodiversity resilience. Demonstrated workable conservation solutions to Govt. of India, towards delivery of national SDG 14 targets.- Liaised with governments and conservation practitioners on behalf of IUCN and MFF National Coordination Body, Chaired by Sec. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).- Contributed to strengthened functional and productive relationships with related technical programmes and organisations in India. Facilitated collaborative conservation action through the development of a public-private, marine wildlife stranding network in Goa, responding to over 200 stranding episodes in 1.5 years. - Collated and analysed project data to assess progress towards meeting MFF targets. Developed progress reports for donors, the IUCN network, MFF Secretariat and MoEFCC.- Provided strategic direction in the design of coastal and marine conservation objectives and targets for the IUCN Intercessional Programme (2017-2022). Developed proposals and fund raised for projects.- Provided scientific evidence to meet State Govt. needs including species conservation plans.- Visited project sites across India to monitor interventions, ensuring interventions were technically sound. Evaluated the effectiveness of participatory approaches to mangrove management in the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve and Marine Protected Area, on behalf of the West Bengal Forest Dept. - Represented IUCN at international and national fora to share project learnings. Showcased conservation solutions at the World Conservation Congress (Jeju, 2012) and CMS COP (Abu Dhabi, 2016).- Managed project budgets and national MFF budgets; reported to IUCN Asia Regional Office (Bangkok) on a quarterly basis. - Based on insights gained through project cycle management, provided mentorship and training to over 35 conservationists and project grantees across India. Show less

Hawaiian Islands

Transformed daily outputs and notable outcomes of events prior to, and at, the IUCN World Conservation Congress (Hawai’i), into blogs, web stories and social media content. Monitored the overall editorial mix of website content and public engagement, contributing to raising publicity and awareness of Congress conservation outcomes. Wrote interview talking points for IUCN Ambassadors: Sylvia Earle and Jane Goodall.

Australia

As part of the research team, worked towards collecting field data for a better understanding the biology and ecology of terrestrial vertebrates in the Simpson Desert, Central Australia. Actions included vegetation and seed bank surveys, spotlighting, reptile and mammal trapping, tagging and releasing, and analyses of weather station data, predator sand plot and camera trap data.

Australia

Supported evidence-based assessments of the potential impacts of the Tillegra Dam construction on endangered amphibian and bird populations downstream of the Williams River wetlands in New South Wales, Australia. Collective efforts brought an end to the construction.

Master Of Philosophy - Mphil

Master Of Science - Msc.

Bachelor Of Science - Bsc.

International Baccalaureate (Ib) Diploma