Senior Programme Associate- Subnational Engagement

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Programme Associate to play a pivotal role in advancing India's inclusive energy transition. You will help coordinate sub-national programming (engaging states, cities and clusters), strengthen grantee organisational capacity, and design strategic convenings that bring together key stakeholders to advance SED Fund goals. This position offers a unique opportunity to drive impactful climate action that aligns with critical state-level development priorities.

Reporting to the Programme Director – Energy Transition: You will collaborate closely with the Director of Industry, Programme Leads, the Associate Director - Partnerships, and the Senior Organisational Development Manager, as well as the broader programme team.

The role is based in India (location flexible), with preference for proximity to a major domestic airport to facilitate regular travel across the country, including Delhi. Regular travel (around 25% time) is likely to be part of the role.

Key Responsibilities

Sub-National Engagement (60%)

• Partner with Programme Directors and Leads to enhance execution of state-level energy transition and industrial decarbonisation strategies, including city or industrial cluster level strategies, tracking developments that create opportunities for climate action advancing development goals.
• Lead synthesis and updates of quantitative, qualitative, and geospatial analyses of state-level energy transition opportunities to inform and refine grant making strategies
• Coordinate and project manage engagements with technical experts and civil society organisations to address state and district-level priorities, ensuring timely, high-quality delivery.
• Monitor, report on, and synthesise state-level engagements, recommending course corrections as needed.

Organisational Development (OD) Support (30%)

• Support the creation and implementation of SED's framework to develop grantees organisational capacity.
• Work with the OD lead and other members of the programme team to identify opportunities to strengthen grantee capacities.
• Work with the OD manager to design the OD engagements and identify service providers who can deliver these needs.
• Lead project management and oversight for OD activities, enable regular communication and updates between grantees, OD providers and programme leads.

Strategic Convening (10%)

• Conceptualise and execute high-impact convenings of grantees and key stakeholders in partnership with Programme Directors and Leads with responsibilities including:

• Support programme leads to design and structure event formats, agendas, and participant lists that maximise engagement

• Manage logistics including venue selection, vendor negotiations, and travel coordination.

The successful candidate must possess the following:

• Deep understanding of state-level economic and political contexts shaping climate and energy transition opportunities in India.
• Proven stakeholder management skills with ability to coordinate diverse teams on complex initiatives.
• Facility managing inclusive processes that draw on inputs from high-performing, cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication skills and high emotional intelligence, with a collaborative working style.
• Shows initiative in driving work forward and follows through reliably to meet shared goals and deadlines.
• Strong analytical capabilities to frame and monitor strategy implementation.
• Attention to detail with ability to synthesise diverse inputs and deliver complex projects.
• Relevant networks within the State level, climate and energy ecosystem in India

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience working on climate, energy transition, or development issues across multiple Indian states.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with state government authorities at various levels.
• Track record of managing and facilitating complex multi-stakeholder projects and working with public interest organisations on energy transition and climate change-related agendas in India.
• Large event design and management experience is essential.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Development, Sustainability, Economics, Geography, or related field preferred.

Deadline for applications : 1st December 2025.