Programme Director – Clean Energy
Location: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Experience Required: 15+ years
Reporting to: CEO
The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST) is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and entrepreneurial professional to lead and expand its Clean Energy Programme.This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for delivering the existing programme and driving its future growth. The role includes leading multidisciplinary teams, managing government and philanthropic partnerships, strengthening institutional outreach, identifying strategic opportunities, and building a high-impact programme portfolio.
The ideal candidate should possess strong analytical and research capabilities, proven multi-stakeholder engagement experience, and a deep understanding of India's renewable energy sector, including policies, regulations, technologies, and barriers to scale-up. Strong leadership, communication, and programme management skills are essential.
About iFOREST
iFOREST is an independent, not-for-profit research and innovation organisation established in 2019. Our mission is to identify, promote, and scale solutions for critical environment-development challenges in India and other developing regions across Asia and Africa.
Our work combines evidence-based research, stakeholder engagement, policy advisory, and implementation support in partnership with governments, industries, philanthropies, civil society organisations, and research institutions.
About the Clean Energy Programme
The Clean Energy Programme focuses on accelerating equitable renewable energy growth in India, particularly in underserved eastern and northeastern states.
The programme supports state governments through:
- Policy and regulatory reform
- Techno-economic assessments
- Investment facilitation
- Institutional capacity building
- Renewable energy deployment strategies
The programme prioritises technologies such as floating solar, agri-PV, rooftop solar, storage, and green hydrogen, while also supporting industrial decarbonisation and renewable energy adoption in MSMEs.
At the national level, the programme contributes to policy frameworks supporting India's 500 GW non-fossil energy target by 2030 and net-zero target by 2070.
Key Responsibilities
1. Programme Leadership & Delivery
- Lead ongoing and planned programme activities, ensuring timely delivery of outputs, outcomes, reporting requirements, and budget management.
- Design and oversee research, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, technical support, and implementation assignments.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams undertaking quantitative and qualitative research and technical assessments.
- Ensure high standards of analytical rigour and output quality.
- Lead stakeholder consultations, workshops, convenings, and implementation initiatives with governments, industries, and other stakeholders.
- Oversee programme budgets, resource allocation, and fund utilisation.
- Manage technical and financial reporting for funders.
2. Programme Development & Fundraising
- Identify new thematic opportunities and strategic partnerships.
- Lead development of concept notes, technical proposals, budgets, and pitch materials.
- Build and manage relationships with donors, governments, and institutional partners.
- Support long-term programme growth and sustainability.
3. Outreach & Institutional Profile
- Strengthen programme and institutional visibility through strategic engagement and thought leadership.
- Develop reports, articles, presentations, policy briefs, and communication materials.
- Lead programme outreach activities, including roundtables, consultations, workshops, and report launches.
- Build relationships across government, industry, academia, CSOs, and development partners.
4. Team Leadership & Management
- Build and manage a high-performing multidisciplinary programme team.
- Mentor team members and support professional growth.
- Lead staffing and recruitment processes.
- Conduct performance reviews and provide strategic guidance.
5. Institutional Contribution
- Contribute to organisational strategy and institutional growth as part of the senior management team.
- Support institutional systems strengthening, operational effectiveness, and organisational culture.
- Foster a collaborative, mission-driven, and high-performance work environment.
Qualifications & Experience
- Master's degree in management, economics, public policy, energy policy, renewable energy technology, or related fields.
- 15+ years of relevant experience in research, consulting, policy advisory, or programme leadership roles focused on renewable energy.
- Demonstrated track record of producing high-quality research outputs and policy analysis.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and complex programmes.
Required Competencies
- Strong understanding of India's renewable energy sector, policy landscape, technologies, and market challenges.
- Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, communication, and leadership skills.
- Experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research.
- Proven ability to manage stakeholder relationships across government, industry, academia, CSOs, and development partners.
- Strong programme management and team leadership capabilities.
- Ability to work effectively in dynamic and deadline-driven environments.
- Willingness to travel as required.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to contribute to high-impact clean energy and decarbonisation initiatives.
- Exposure to policy processes, government engagement, and technical advisory work.
- Collaborative and supportive work environment.
- Competitive compensation aligned with experience and organisational norms.
Remuneration
Competitive salary based on experience and proficiency. Final designation will depend on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.
Application Process
Candidates may apply through:
- iFOREST Careers Page
- LinkedIn Easy Apply
Alternatively, applications may be shared at: [Confidential Information]
Please mention the reference code CE/NCR-07-05/26 in the subject line.
