The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST) is inviting applications for the positions of Senior Programme Associate and Programme Associate under its Clean Energy Programme.
We are looking for motivated professionals with a strong understanding of India’s renewable energy sector, demonstrated analytical and research capabilities, and experience in advisory and implementation-oriented assignments. The role also requires excellent communication, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills to support high-impact clean energy transition initiatives across states and sectors.
Required Experience for SPA: 5-7 years
Required Experience for PA: 3-5 years
Location: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Reporting to: Programme Lead, Clean Energy
iFOREST is an independent, not-for-profit research and innovation organization established in 2019. Our mission is to identify, promote, and scale up solutions for critical environment-development challenges in India and other developing regions across Asia and Africa.
We focus on regional priorities to accelerate environmental actions at the sub-national level while influencing national policies and plans to support these efforts. By leveraging our resources and expertise, we aim to address regional needs, enhance national action, and contribute to global solutions.
Our work involves independent, evidence-based research, developing innovative solutions, convening stakeholders to build consensus, and partnering with think tanks, civil society organizations, government agencies, philanthropies, and industry leaders.
The iFOREST Clean Energy Programme focuses on accelerating equitable renewable energy growth in India by supporting clean energy deployment in underserved states, especially in eastern and northeaster regions.
The programme supports state governments through policy and regulatory reform, implementation strategies, techno-economic assessments, investment facilitation, and institutional capacity building, with a focus on states such as Odisha, Assam, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. The work prioritises land-neutral technologies including floating solar, agri-PV, rooftop solar, storage, and green hydrogen, while also promoting renewable energy adoption in industrial and MSME sectors through demand aggregation and decarbonisation initiatives.
At the national level, the programme contributes to policy frameworks that can enable regionally balanced renewable energy growth and support India’s 500 GW non-fossil energy target by 2030 and net-zero goal by 2070.
The Senior Programme Associate/Programme Associate will execute research, policy advisory, and implementation activities related to renewable energy. The role will specifically focus on accelerating industrial renewable energy adoption, demand aggregation, and renewable energy investment mobilisation, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and other priority states.
The selected candidate will work closely with state governments, renewable energy agencies, utilities, industrial associations, MSMEs, captive power producers, and other stakeholders to support development and implementation of renewable energy transition initiatives.
The role will involve a combination of policy research, techno-economic analysis, stakeholder engagement, implementation support, and programme coordination.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct primary and secondary research and analysis, focused on industrial renewable energy adoption, renewable energy procurement, demand aggregation, and storage integration
Support assessments of renewable energy demand and deployment opportunities across industrial estates, MSME clusters, and captive power plants
Contribute to development of policy briefs, technical reports, implementation frameworks, regulatory recommendations, and investment-oriented strategies
Support design and operationalisation of renewable energy demand aggregation initiatives and pilot projects in industrial clusters
Engage with government departments, utilities, industries, MSMEs, and industry associations to support implementation of clean energy initiatives
Coordinate stakeholder consultations, and design and deliver workshops, trainings, field engagements, and industry interactions
Support preparation of presentations, communication materials, donor reports, and knowledge products
Undertake field visits, stakeholder consultations, and primary data collection across project locations
Contribute to development of scalable implementation models and institutional mechanisms for renewable energy deployment and investment mobilisation
Master’s degree (minimum) from a recognised institution in a relevant field, including energy policy, public policy, economics, management, renewable energy, engineering, or related disciplines.
About 3–5 years of relevant experience for Programme Associate and 5–7 years for Senior Programme Associate in research, advisory, consulting, programme implementation, or policy engagement related to renewable energy and clean energy transition.
Prior experience in areas such as renewable energy policy, industrial renewable energy adoption, energy markets, renewable energy procurement, demand aggregation, storage integration, techno-economic analysis, or implementation support will be preferred.
Demonstrated experience in conducting research, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and development of high-quality technical and advisory outputs, including reports, briefs, assessments, presentations, and implementation frameworks.
Experience of working with government agencies, utilities, industries, industry associations, development partners, or research institutions will be an advantage.
In line with the listed responsibilities, the Senior Programme Associate/Programme Associate is expected to have the following competencies:
Strong understanding of India’s renewable energy sector, including policies, regulations, industrial markets, storage, open access, captive energy, and sectoral implementation challenges.
Proven experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research, policy analysis, techno-economic assessments, and preparation of high-quality research and advisory outputs.
Understanding of renewable energy demand mobilisation approaches, including industrial renewable energy procurement, demand aggregation, and renewable energy integration models, will be preferred.
Ability to effectively engage with government agencies, utilities, industries, MSMEs, research institutions, CSOs, and development partners across diverse platforms.
Strong analytical, writing, presentation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to coordinate stakeholder consultations, workshops, trainings, convenings, and outreach activities, and effectively communicate institutional perspectives and research findings.
Collaborative, proactive, and solutions-oriented approach, with the ability to work effectively in dynamic and implementation-oriented environments.
Strong organisational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple assignments and work within tight timelines.
Experience in proposal development, programme reporting, donor coordination, and knowledge dissemination will be an advantage.
Willingness to travel as required.
At iFOREST, we provide an inclusive and supportive work environment. We are committed to professional development through education, training, and capacity-building initiatives.
Opportunity to contribute to high-impact clean energy transition and renewable energy deployment initiatives across India.
Exposure to policy processes, government engagement, and technical advisory work.
A dynamic and supportive work culture that values methodological rigour and innovation.
Competitive compensation in line with experience and organisational norms.
We offer Competitive salary based on experience and proficiency. The final designation will depend on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.
We prefer that candidates apply from LinkedIn or submit online applications at https://iforest.global/careers/.
