Energy Country Correspondent

The CBET (Cross Border Electricity Trading) is a EU funded regional project covering 5 countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri-Lanka). Expertise France (EF) is looking for an Energy Country Correspondent, based in New Delhi. The Energy Country Correspondent will work under the direct supervision of the Project Director and in close coordination with the project team. As the primary in-country focal point, the Expert will support the Project Director in shaping, coordinating, and implementing project activities in India. He/She will provide contextualized technical expertise, facilitate engagement with national stakeholders, and ensure that the project’s interventions reflect both local priorities and the project objectives. The Energy Country Correspondent will be responsible for providing technical energy-sector expertise and local support for the implementation of project activities in India. Main tasks will include :            1. National stakeholder engagement and coordination Serve as the in-country focal point for engagement with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Power, MNRE, CERC, POSOCO, central and state utilities, and development partners, ensuring regular communication and alignment with the project’s regional direction. Support the organisation of consultations, bilateral meetings, and coordination sessions with government agencies, utilities, regulators, and sector partners. Relay stakeholder feedback and relevant information to the Project Director and regional team to inform strategic and operational decisions. 2. Support to the design and implementation of national activities Support the planning, preparation, and follow-up of national workshops, technical events, capacity-building activities, and field missions. Contribute to drafting terms of reference, technical methodologies, and activity concepts under the guidance of the Project Director and in cooperation with thematic experts. Facilitate on-the-ground coordination, including logistics, invitations, technical documentation, and the mobilisation of stakeholders. Provide operational support for project activities in Bhutan and Sri-Lanka when required. 3. Monitoring and contextual analysis Monitor developments in India’s energy and electricity sector, including policy reforms, regulatory updates, and institutional changes relevant to CBET and renewable energy integration. Prepare short analyses or updates for the regional team, highlighting implications for national implementation or regional activities. Identify emerging opportunities or constraints that may affect project delivery in India. Supply Bangladesh operational energy expert and India country correspondent with locally sourced data, sector insights, and contextual inputs needed for comparative regional studies, modelling, or policy assessments. 4. Contribution to regional workstreams Provide country-specific inputs, data, and insights for regional studies, assessments, knowledge products, and pilot activities. Contribute to communication and visibility activities by supplying local content, success stories, and relevant information on stakeholder engagement. Support alignment of national activities with the project’s cross-country methodology and objectives as guided by the Project Director. 5. Operational support and reporting Ensure close and regular coordination with the Project Director and the regional team to report on progress, achievements, risks, and stakeholder dynamics. Support mission preparation for regional experts and ensure follow-up on agreed actions at national level. Detect implementation challenges and propose practical solutions or adjustments for consideration by the Project Director. The project aims to address the electricity connectivity gap in South Asia, which is currently the least integrated region in Asia. Countries in the region are increasingly aware of the importance to engage in climate change mitigation action and transition to renewable energy including from an energy security and competitiveness perspective. Improving cross-border electricity trade (CBET) is crucial to unlock the region's full renewable energy potential and promote a fair and inclusive green energy transition. However, there are barriers to electricity market integration, including diverging national political priorities, lack of political dialogue at regional level, technical and regulatory barriers, and limited existing transmission infrastructure. To overcome these challenges, and more specifically address the lack of regional dialogue, the project intends to facilitate a shift from bilateral to multilateral regional cooperation approach. It aims to strengthen institutional political governance frameworks, build technical capacity, and establish a platform for intra-regional energy dialogue. -       Overall objective: Increasing Cross Border Electricity Trade (CBET) to facilitate climate change mitigation efforts via the integration of renewable energy, reduction of GHG emissions, improvement of energy security, and ultimately support to economic growth and cooperation in South Asia; -       Specific objective: An improved policy framework and investment conditions for CBET and integration of renewable energy in South Asia. The action will therefore, through a combination of policy dialogue and technical/capacity support, aim to achieve the following expected outputs: 1.1 Improved regional and national policy/regulatory framework and investment climate for intra-regional CBET that facilitates the integration of electricity generation from renewable energy sources; 1.2 Strengthened capacities of country level sector stakeholders (public officials, public utilities, grid operators, private sector) for the creation of an integrated regional electricity market (country level preparedness); 1.3 Increased stakeholder awareness and engagement (institutions, private Sector/investors/think tank/CSOs) on the benefits of increased regional electricity trade and renewable energy integration. The above outputs will make sure that the activities will be gender-responsive and will as much as possible include organizations of women and persons with disabilities. The Energy Country Correspondent will be an energy policy expert with a large experience and proven track record in implementation of energy sector reforms and policies in transition countries. He/She will also need to have an in-depth experience in cross border electricity trade policies. Education / qualification: Master’s degree (or equivalent) in political science, international relations, engineering, energy related fields or any other relevant discipline ; Excellent communication and reporting skills ; Strong ability to evolve in a political and sensitive environment ; Fluent in spoken and written English and Hindi is required (other sub region languages would be an asset, French is a plus). Professional experience: A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in India’s energy sector, particularly in renewable energy, power systems, energy policy ; Experience of international cooperation and international projects implementation ; Strong understanding of the institutional and regulatory landscape in India ; Experience working on donor-funded technical assistance or policy support projects. Proven ability to engage with government counterparts and technical experts. Experience working in India is required and in other countries covered by the project would be an asset. The expert needs to be based in New Delhi, India, for the duration of the expertise with travel in South Asia sub-region and occasional missions to Europe.