Role Overview
Senior Programme Associate
The role involves significant independence, strategic thinking, research-driven programme design and implementation, and strengthening iFOREST's footprint and partnerships in the Northeast region.
About iFOREST
iFOREST is an independent non-profit research and innovation organisation dedicated to generating new knowledge and shaping policy, strategy and implementation around climate change, clean energy, just transition, air quality, natural resource management, and sustainable development.
What we do:
- Under our Enabling & Supporting Transition programme, we support just transitions in coal-dependent regions, industrial decarbonisation, renewable energy policy and sub-national clean energy growth.
- Under our Building Resilience portfolio, we support cities, farms and forests to adapt to climate change for example through urban resilience, sustainable forest management, agriculture adaptation in vulnerable regions.
- We also work on local pollution, waste and plastics, and strengthening environmental and climate governance (legal reform, institutional capacity, stakeholder skill building).
- In Assam and the Northeast region, our work has included assessments of renewable energy potential, support for the state in shaping climate roadmaps and strategies, and institutional strengthening for adaptation and mitigation.
Key Responsibilities
Research & Analysis
- Lead high-quality research on climate adaptation, NRM, livelihood resilience, agro-value chains, forestry and biodiversity in climate-vulnerable contexts.
- Produce policy briefs, peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and research deliverables that bridge science, policy and practice.
Programme Development & Management
- Design, launch and manage field-based initiatives, pilot projects and capacity-building programmes in the Northeast (covering adaptation, ecosystem-based solutions, agro-value chains, forest-biodiversity-livelihood linkages).
- Develop proposals for funding and partnerships, monitor progress and ensure high-quality delivery.
Strategic Leadership & Growth
- Contribute to defining iFOREST's strategy for climate adaptation in the Northeast, identify emerging opportunities (including nature-based solutions, carbon projects), and help build partnerships with government, academia, donor agencies, local NGOs and communities.
- Drive the expansion of iFOREST's footprint in the region: outreach, networking, institutional relationships, and programme visibility.
Stakeholder Engagement & Government Interface
- Interface with government departments (state, line-agencies), research institutions, civil society organisations, and community groups in the region to co-develop adaptation and resilience initiatives.
- Provide technical inputs to state government climate roadmaps, support thematic adaptation frameworks, mainstream NRM and livelihood resilience into state/regional plans.
Knowledge Dissemination & Advocacy
- Represent iFOREST at regional/national/international forums, give presentations, organise workshops and contribute to dialogues on adaptation, NbS, forest-livelihoods, agro-value chains in the context of climate change.
Mentorship & Team Leadership
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior research staff and programme associates; ensure high standards of research rigour, documentation and quality assurance.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Postgraduate degree (or higher) in Environmental Science, Climate Studies, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Agricultural Economics, Economics, Ecology or related discipline. A PhD is highly desirable given the research-focus of the role.
- 710 years of relevant professional experience working on climate adaptation, NRM, livelihood resilience, agro-value chains, forestry/biodiversity interventions and/or ecosystem-based adaptation.
- Demonstrated research and analytical skills (both quantitative and qualitative methods), and experience producing high-quality reports/publications.
- Proven project development and management experience including proposal writing, stakeholder coordination, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation.
- Strong understanding or experience of nature-based solutions (NbS), carbon projects or ecosystem-based adaptation is a major advantage.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- Experience working in or familiarity with the Northeast region of India (regional languages knowledge is a plus).
- Ability to work independently, take strategic initiative, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and contribute to institutional growth.
- Willingness to travel extensively across the Northeast region and engage with field-partners, local communities, government departments and other stakeholders.
What we offer
At iFOREST, we offer an inclusive and amicable work environment. In addition, our institution strongly supports professional development through education, training and capacity building.
Remuneration
We offer highly competitive salaries in a think tank space, and reward performance through annual appraisals. The final designation of a successful candidate will be based on qualifications and experience.
Application instructions & deadline
We prefer that candidates submit online applications at https://iforest.global/careers/
