Programme Associate – Distributed Renewable Energy

Job Duties and Accountabilities:-

Desirable Outcomes (first year):-

• Lead the team to accelerate adoption of distributed RE in atleast one state and support in other states.
• Conceptualise and execute atleast one innovative idea to scale up the adoption of DRE in the priority state
• Take up atleast one institutional responsibility or actively work on one institutional initiative

Primary responsibilities:-

• Conduct regular reviews, monitor and analyse day-to-day regulatory and policy changes in the renewable energy markets, especially on grid-connected distributed renewable energy (DRE) at the state, national and international level
• Conceptualise and implement new research methods, innovative ideas on market solutions, policy interventions and market design that can support the scale of DRE technologies
• Identify distributed renewable energy deployment issues and opportunities from the state’s perspective to co-conceptualise and execute research that can aid policy, regulatory and market related changes
• Develop go to market strategies for innovative business models and establish partnerships with private sector to implement ideas on ground
• Assist in executing the implementation of solar policy in the priority state for the team
• Conduct various types of analyses using advanced data analytics tools to further the research and programme objectives
• Develop trust-based relationships with key stakeholders, especially with discoms, regulators, state nodal agencies, developers and other research organisations to understand the challenges and opportunities in the DRE sector
• Share knowledge and findings on various internal and external platforms based on the research and implementation efforts through presentations, memos, short reports, opinion pieces, videos, etc. with support from CEEW’s Outreach team
• Write high-quality research reports and publish in leading peer reviewed journals

Programme Assistance:-

• Lead project implementation by contributing towards preparing detailed activity plans and timelines, resource planning, stakeholder management, and donor engagement.
• Lead team’s outreach efforts including organising webinars/physical events, representing CEEW in industry events, and writing op-eds, briefs and reports.
• Write memos, briefs and issue notes which could be circulated among senior Government officials and other internal and external stakeholders
• Building stronger ties with government, industry and institutional partners

Selection Criteria:-

Qualification:-

• Master’s degree with a specialisation in renewable energy technologies, economics, public policy or related field
• Sound understanding of India’s energy markets (specifically grid-connected DRE markets) and policy and regulatory environment
• Strong research background with an adequate understanding of research methods and quantitative skills

Work experience:-

• At least 3-5 years of relevant work experience in the field of research, policy/industry engagement and project management in the area of electricity policy, electricity distribution, and renewable energy
• Prior experience of writing white papers, articles, policy briefs and research reports
• Strong track record of team and project management including timely delivery of outputs
• Demonstrable experience in stakeholder engagement at state-level and experience of working with public and private institutions within and outside India

Key skills:-

• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills
• Proficiency in MS-Excel is a must. Understanding of STATA/R/Python and other data visualisation tools would be an added advantage
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to summarise and communicate the insights/findings in written and oral formats
• Proficiency in Hindi and English language

Location:-

• New Delhi, India.

Company Overview:-

The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) is one of Asia’s leading not-for-profit policy research institutions. The Council uses data, integrated analysis, and strategic outreach to explain – and change – the use, reuse, and misuse of resources. The Council addresses pressing global challenges through an integrated and internationally focused approach. It prides itself on the independence of its high-quality research, develops partnerships with public and private institutions, and engages with the wider public.

CEEW once again featured extensively across nine categories in the ‘2019 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report’, including being ranked as South Asia’s top think tank (15th globally) with an annual operating budget of less than USD 5 million for the seventh year in a row. In 2016, CEEW was also ranked 2nd in India, 4th outside Europe and North America, and 20th globally out of 240 think tanks as per the ICCG Climate Think Tank’s standardised rankings. In 2013 and 2014, CEEW was rated as India’s top climate change think-tank as per the ICCG standardised rankings.