Programme Associate, Renewable Energy

The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST), is looking for dynamic and motivated young professionals to provide comprehensive technical support to renewable energy (RE) nodal agencies in Odisha.

**Number of positions**:2

**Location**: Bhubaneswar, Odisha

**Type**: On-premise

**Required Experience**: 3 to 4 years

**Education**: Master’s Degree (preferred)

**Reporting to**: Regional Director

**iFOREST**:
iFOREST is an independent not-for-profit research and innovation organisation that was established in 2019 to identify, promote and scale up solutions for pressing environment-development challenges in India and other developing countries in Asia and Africa.

Our work is rooted in regional priorities to accelerate environmental actions at the sub-national level and to improve national policies and plans to support it. Our mission is to address the unique needs of regions by leveraging our resources and expertise to scale up national action and make a global impact. We use our regional knowledge to inform national policy and plans and strengthen international collaboration.

To achieve our goals, we conduct independent evidence-based research, develop new knowledge and innovative solutions, convene stakeholders to increase awareness and build consensus, and partner with think tanks, civil society, government agencies, philanthropies and industry to scale up solutions.

**The Clean Energy Programme**

The Clean Energy programme of iFOREST focuses on the issue of growing regional imbalance in India’s renewable energy (RE) expansion. Given that the installed capacity of RE is mainly focused in the southern and western states, the Clean Energy programme seeks to catalyse inclusive green energy transitions in the eastern and northeastern states. The programme aims to support the development of RE, including distributed RE, in ‘low-RE’ states to meet the 500 GW target by 2030.

To achieve this objective, iFOREST works closely with implementors, regulators and policymakers at the state level, industry representatives, and civil society/ research organisations. The work cuts across independent research, structured engagement and implementation support initiatives.

The strategic focus of our work in Odisha is to enhance the contribution of renewable energy in the state’s energy mix, through technical support extended to state agencies, independent research and stakeholder engagement.

**The Role**:
The Programme Associate, RE in Odisha will be responsible for undertaking a comprehensive set of activities for providing technical support to the state nodal agencies in implementing the Odisha Renewable Energy Policy, 2022.

This would entail:

- Support development and assessment of RE technologies and projects in Odisha, focusing on techno-commercial and financial aspects.
- Assist in project pre-development works, including feasibility studies, site assessments, and technical evaluations for RE projects.
- Contribute to project allotment, including support in drafting bidding documents and contracts, managing the bid process, and evaluating submitted DPRs.
- Support monitoring and evaluation of progress for projects being implemented under various RE policies/schemes/programmes in Odisha.
- Assist in the identification, designing and implementation of pilot RE projects.
- Provide advisory support to nodal agencies and conduct research to address urgent queries.
- Support the design, implementation, and monitoring of RE schemes.
- Develop presentations and communicate findings to senior management and government officials.
- Stay updated on clean energy technology, policy, and regulatory developments.
- Contribute to outreach efforts, stakeholder engagement, and building partnerships with government, industry, and civil society.
- Handle additional duties related to the Clean Energy programme as needed.

**Qualification & Work Experience**:
**Bachelor’s degree (minimum)** in engineering, renewable energy, power management or a related field from a reputable institution. A master’s degree is preferred.

**3 to 4 years of work experience** in the RE sector advisory/consulting, with a focus on bid advisory, RE project design, implementation, management and/or techno-commercial advisory.

**Required competencies**:
In line with the listed responsibilities the senior programme associate is expected to have the following competencies:

- Deep knowledge of clean energy technologies, demonstrated by experience in project design and implementation, bid management and/or techno-commercial assessments.
- Ability to learn quickly about new RE technologies, and develop required techno-commercial expertise.
- Through knowledge of RE policies, regulations, programmes, and initiatives at the national and sub-national levels.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with attention to detail and a proactive approach to project challenges.
- Proficient in project managemen