Programme Lead/Senior Programme Lead- Technology Futures

Programme Description

Globally, countries and companies are at aiming to transit to a low carbon pathway in the coming decades. Many countries have already announced their Net Zero emission targets starting 2050. India has also committed to a Net-Zero path and aims to achieve the same by 2070. The country has also committed to setting up 500 GW of non-fossil fuel based power generation capacity, 50 per cent renewable energy capacity, reduction of one billion tones of carbon emission and reduction of carbon intensity by 45 per cent by 2030.

Advancements in hard and soft components of technology will be crucial for reduction, capture and offset of emissions. Technologies need to be designed and developed according to the local requirements. It is hence imperative that technological innovations across the value chain be conceptualised, designed, nurtured and supported proactively for applications in the India. Given the magnitude of change that is required, India can become the global powerhouse that co-develops, deploys, manufactures, exports and recycles these emerging and next-generation technologies. The research programme would assess the impacts and eventually drive technological advancements across the value chain – procurement, manufacturing, deployment, reuse and recycling.

Purpose

CEEW seeks to hire a Programme Lead/ Senior Programme Lead for the Technology Futures team. The Senior Programme Lead, along with the Team Lead for Technology Futures would shape the research direction of the programme. The individual would be leading the work on critical minerals and clean energy supply chains. He/She would be responsible to build and mentor team, work with donors and network with key stakeholders in the sector. The successful applicant will track global market developments and lead robust quantitative and qualitative analyses of new and upcoming critical minerals and clean energy technologies.

On critical minerals, the candidate will be expected to develop the team’s expertise on mineral use beyond clean energy sector and conduct analyses that details the impact of competing use cases on India’s energy transition. In clean energy technologies, the candidate will be expected to build detailed expertise on market movements, technology and material changes along geopolitics, which can impact the competitiveness of India’s manufacturing sector.

The candidate will also be responsible to conceptualise and identify policy recommendations to support Indian policymakers in bringing new technology to India and scaling up domestic manufacturing. The candidate will be expected to explore work with various stakeholders to conceptualise pilot projects for new technologies. Additionally, the candidate will also develop innovative market and financing solutions to support the energy transition.

We are looking for an experienced professional with hands-on experience and deep sectoral understanding, to build and expand the Council’s work on critical minerals and clean energy supply chains. The candidate would eventually be expected to conceptualise research projects to drive the technological advancements across the clean tech value chain – exploration, mining, processing, procurement, manufacturing, deployment, reuse and recycling.

Job Duties and Accountabilities

Strategic Leadership

• Constantly review developments in the ecosystem linked with the clean energy manufacturing and critical minerals from varied lenses of geopolitics, technology, economics, equity, jobs etc.
• Based on market tracking, identify new areas of opportunity for the Indian and global clean energy industry, and develop policy roadmaps to deploy new technology successfully.
• Support the team lead for the Technology Futures team in mentoring a growing and young team. Also, work closely with other teams like Energy Transition, Power Markets, Industrial Sustainability etc.
• Supervising and mentoring PLs/PAs/RAs/interns.
• Delivering training to other staff on research, policy, or other skills.
• Taking on responsibilities beyond research and research engagement to ensure the smooth functioning of the office.
• To participate in relevant conferences, workshops, training programmes as necessary to communicate research findings and gain insights on new research in focus areas.
• Fund-raising will play a key role and you are required to build a network of donors and partners and demonstrate buy-in from potential funders.

Research

• Conceptualising original research projects and/or programmes in line with the internally approved strategy and leading at least three research projects per year.
• Writing reports, papers, issue briefs, policy briefs -At least three published papers/reports.
• Designing primary data collection, data collation, and analysis as necessary to drive novel research.
• Developing strong relationships with researchers and industry, government, and international agencies.
• Collaborative research is vital and establishing joint research or evaluation studies with other CSOs, industries, or government agencies is an important part of the role.

Research Management

• Giving programmatic structure to and ensuring cohesion across various projects and teams-Cross-cutting research and leveraging capacity in other teams to deliver.
• Conceptualising/leading flagship policy-relevant events.
• Designing timelines, budgets, and deliverables for projects.
• Vetting and verifying content (analyses/ written pieces) delivered by Research Analysts, Programme Associates, and Programme Leads.
• Preparing detailed donor reports and project completion reports.
• Developing an outcome map for projects and programmes- Indicating clearly to funders the impacts corresponding to their own goals.

Outreach

• Co-designing and executing an outreach plan for every research project in collaboration with the Strategic Communications Lead.
• Significant public interfacing on behalf of CEEW at various national and international forums.
• Ensuring strict adherence to CEEW’s branding guidelines and outreach SOPs.
• Publishing at least one opinion piece every quarter and responding to media requests promptly.
• Overseeing the maintenance and timely updation of stakeholder databases.

Work experience

• Atleast 8 years of relevant experience for Programme lead and atleast 12 years of relevant work experience for Senior Programme Lead in the field of critical minerals, clean energy manufacturing and deployment.
• Experience in dealing with public and private institutions and a strong network with key actors in the clean energy manufacturing, deployment and critical minerals sector.
• Prior experience in writing white papers, articles, policy briefs, and research reports.
• Experience in delegating and managing work load across a team with strong track record of project management and timely delivery of outputs.
• Experience in dealing with public and private institutions within and outside India.

Key skils

• Strong knowledge of finance, including from the perspective of the nature and type of capital flows that are needed to fuel the energy transition.
• Deep understanding of the energy transition space, including the wide range of stakeholders (policy, private & other) that it covers.
• Strong analytic skills including quantitative research skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Interest and ability to lead teams, to motivate and guide younger researchers, and provide them with a ground for accelerated learning and high performance.

Selection Criteria - Qualification

• Foundational degree in engineering is a pre-requisite. A graduate/doctoral degree in engineering, public policy, energy economics or related disciplines such as energy management would be desirable. PhD or Master’s degree with a specialisation in engineering, science, economics and public policy.
• Sound understanding of the Indian clean energy manufacturing and critical mineral landscape and the role of policy, regulations, and business models in strengthening India’s clean energy and critical minerals value chain.
• Strong research background with an adequate understanding of research methods and quantitative skills.

Personality

• Willingness to learn new research and project management skills.
• Interest in next generation technology with a belief that even small innovations can impact the pace of climate change.
• Ability to adapt to new environment and deliver under tight deadlines in a professional environment.
• Striving for rigour in research and quality in work output.
• Ability to effectively work in a team while being able to independently drive research with minimum assistance, when time demands.
• Ability to dig deeper into details, while also keeping a sense of the broader objectives and big picture.
• Willingness to learn, grow and develop at personal and professional front, at a rapid pace with a steep learning curve.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment.

CEEW operates in a dynamic environment and the candidate will be required to show flexibility in undertaking a variety of tasks. CEEW is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Compensation

Competitive compensation – commensurate to the experience and matching the best of standards adopted by the industry or other similar organisations for similar roles.