Programme Lead

Programme Lead – Industrial Decarbonisation, Noida

ID/NCR-06-05/25

The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST), is looking for an experienced and dynamic professional to lead the organisation’s research and policy engagement in the Industrial Decarbonisation Programme.

The candidate should possess a strong understanding of Industrial operations and Energy; Energy efficiency, Energy Management, Energy & GHG accounting, Audits, Techno-economic evaluations and Policies. Overall knowledge of industrial decarbonization strategies is desirable.

Additionally, experience in conducting research and authoring reports related to industry sector (esp. Cement) is essential.

This is a leadership position, requiring expertise in developing programs, managing teams, and executing projects. Furthermore, experience in engaging with government departments on policy and project implementation is a key requirement.

Candidates must also clearly understand and appreciate the critical role think tanks play in shaping public policy and supporting its implementation.

Location: Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Reporting to: Director – Industry & ESG

About iFOREST

iFOREST is an independent, not-for-profit research and innovation organization established in 2019. Our mission is to identify, promote, and scale up solutions for critical environment-development challenges in India and other developing regions across Asia and Africa.

The Industrial Transition (or industrial decarbonization) programme is a part of iFOREST’s flagship initiative on Just Transition. The objective of the programme is to steer a green industry transition to support green growth and green jobs, while improving local environmental conditions and achieving climate goals.

The programme is strongly focused on technical research and stakeholder engagement (especially with government departments/agencies and the industry) to achieve a green transition of fossil fuel-dependent operations that are associated with various industries.

Key Responsibilities

Research and Writing

• Lead the research initiatives of the program.
• Assign research tasks and monitor their execution, providing guidance and timely interventions.
• Finalising the Method Paper, providing the final recommendation & develop the final report
• Support the preparation of research/policy/project reports.
• Final Project Reporting

Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach

• Take lead in developing the engagement programmes along with the Directors
• Develop strong relationships with stakeholders and lead program outreach.
• Build and maintain networks with stakeholders across sectors, including government, industry, civil society organizations (CSOs), and media.
• Represent iFOREST in high-level meetings and events, presenting institutional perspectives and insights.
• Design and manage a comprehensive outreach strategy to effectively communicate research findings.
• Foster constructive policy-research partnerships with government, industry, and other stakeholders.
• Organize and guide roundtables, convenings, and report launches with key stakeholders.

Leadership and Management

• Mentor researchers and communications professionals to achieve programme objectives.
• Engage in timely reviews of performance to track the progress and professional growth of team members.
• Identify training requirements and support capacity development of team members.
• Ensure that all projects meet their objectives, timelines, and budgets while aligning with the organization’s mission.
• Monitor project performance and proactively address challenges.
• Support in recruitment, mentoring, and managing a high-performing team.
• Promote a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages innovation and sustainability.

Institutional Development

• Work with program directors to shape state-level strategies aligned with institutional priorities and sectoral needs.
• Develop concept notes, proposals, and budgets for new projects.
• Identify new initiatives and partnerships that advance programmatic goals in the region.

Additional Duties

• Execute related assignments to enhance the Industry program.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Masters in Engineering, preferably Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Power Engineering, and related., is a must.
• Minimum 10 years of core experience in research, strategy consulting, or advisory roles focused on industrial operation, energy, efficiency, decarbonization and related issues.
• Research and consulting experience related to the cement industry will be preferred.

Required Competencies:

The candidate must possess the following attributes:

• Passion for working in civil society and driving positive societal change.
• In-depth knowledge of India’s clean energy and climate sector.
• Excellent communication skills, including proficiency in writing, research, and presentations.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and information dissemination capabilities.
• Proven ability to build relationships and engage with diverse groups on research and policy issues.
• Experience of leading a high-performing team.
• Demonstrated leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Strategic thinking, intellectual curiosity, and critical analysis skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet tight deadlines in policy-driven environments.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple assignments effectively.

What We Offer

At iFOREST, we provide an inclusive and supportive work environment. We are committed to professional development through education, training, and capacity-building initiatives.

Remuneration

We offer Competitive salary based on experience and proficiency. The final designation will depend on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

Application instructions & deadline

We prefer that candidates apply from LinkedIn or submit online applications at https://iforest.global/careers/. Please mention the reference code ID/NCR-06-05/25 in case you send your application via email.