Project Associate – Climate Program

Institution Overview

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, non-profit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. Our work focuses on building sustainable and livable cities and working towards a low carbon economy. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, World Resources Institute puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being.

WRI India has the capacity to convene key stakeholders, and forge strategic partnerships with governments, business, foundations, civil society organizations, institutes and NGOs, to scale-up solutions that can bring game-changing results for the sustainable management of natural resources in India.

Climate Program Overview

At WRI India’s Climate Program we focus on integrated solutions to enable India’s low carbon transition. Through applied research, tools, hands-on advice, and by tapping our network of global experts, we access what climate policies could enable clean energy transition, what action will enable urban transition and how the outcomes can be just and equitable.

Working at WRI India Climate program offers you the unique opportunity to learn and grow as you collaborate with a diverse set of change agents across India. We seek thoughtful, enterprise-minded, and sensitive individuals who can help us support this transformation and make a positive difference to citizens’ everyday lives.

Position Overview:

MSMEs are the backbone of India’s economy; they employ 110 million workers and generate 29% of India’s GDP. Along with high operating costs, low margins, and barriers to finance, MSMEs are constantly exposed economic shocks and technological or sectoral disruptions. MSMEs also account for 25% of the energy consumed by the industrial sector and energy forms a critical part of their business costs.

As India undergoes its clean energy transition, MSMEs will be expected to manage regulatory and business imperatives of moving to cleaner energy. This shift, if not managed well, can have a cascading effect on the already struggling sector affecting their financial viability as well as impacting livelihoods of workers involved in the sector and India’s current and future employment. Supporting their transition to cheaper, clean energy can accelerate the achievement of India’s climate goals. At the same time, measures to secure the livelihoods of the affected workforce, enhancing gender participation and building their capacity to access climate finance can ensure that the clean energy transition in India is also a just, equitable and sustainable transition.

In this regard, the Climate Program at WRI India is seeking a dynamic Project Associate for its ongoing intervention with two MSME clusters to support their transition to cleaner energy by identifying skilling needs and developing skilling programs and building capacity on climate finance.

Responsibilities:

The candidate will undertake and oversee a range of responsibilities as listed below:

• Conduct focused interviews, consultations, discussions, and other engagement with cluster associations, MSME units in the clusters, skill development partners, experts, policy makers and government officials as needed throughout the project
• Conduct secondary research to complement the interviews and consultations to identify and map the existing skilling needs, gaps, and impact on women’s workforce participation
• Work with experts in WRI India and external experts and partners to support the development of relevant skilling program for MSMEs in the clusters
• Support coordination and dissemination of capacity building for MSMEs on carbon finance
• Write compelling and persuasive research products, articles, and blogs, and provide research and content development support, as needed
• Provide necessary support in organizing events/conferences/ trainings/webinars that WRI India hosts or participates in
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Project Lead and Climate Program Director

Required Attributes and Credentials:

• Masters degree in Social Sciences, Engineering, or Public Policy
• At least 2 years of relevant experience working with MSMEs, preferably in relation to environmental/climate change interventions
• Experience of conducting, planning, coordinating skilling programs or capacity building amongst MSMEs, entrepreneurs, or skilled/semi-skilled workers is highly desirable
• Awareness of environment and climate domain – key issues and trends
• Experience of working with and coordinating across multiple stakeholders is preferred
• Excellent interpersonal skills; good communications and writing skills
• Willingness to engage with the team members and a strong sense of respect for the team members
• Responsible, resourceful, and self-motivated
• Fluent in English and Hindi

Location: Mumbai, New Delhi or Bengaluru

Duration: 1 year as term hire (extendable) 

Start date: At the earliest

Potential Salary: 6,50,000 INR to 7,50,000 INR CTC PA

Salary and Benefits:

Salary shall be commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package

To Apply:

Only Qualified applicants should apply online at https://jobs.jobvite.com/wri/jobs. All applications must be submitted online through this career portal in order to be formally considered. 

List of Documents to be attached:

• Cover Letter/ Resume/ Writing Sample/ Reports/

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purpose. Finalized candidate may be required to take a writing/analytical test.

We believe in equal employment, it is our policy to recruit, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to caste, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual preference, parental status, or disability.

Learn more about our organization at www.wri.org.