Consultant – Skills & Workforce Development (NRDC India)

NRDC India; New Delhi; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

NRDC India is seeking a dynamic consultant to strengthen the renewable energy skilling ecosystem in India, with focus on reviewing existing programmes, identifying workforce needs, and modernizing curricula.

The role involves coordinating with government agencies, industry, academia, training institutions, and development partners to translate industry requirements into actionable workforce development strategies.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant discipline.
• 5–7 years of relevant experience in renewable energy or workforce development.
• Experience coordinating with government, industry, academia and development partners.
• Ability to translate industry needs into workforce development actions.
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Support in strengthening policies, programmes, and institutional mechanisms related to renewable energy skills and workforce development.
• Review existing renewable energy training programmes, curricula, competency standards, and certification frameworks by engaging relevant stakeholders to identify gaps, overlaps, and opportunities for improvement, and provide recommendations to inform updates by the relevant government agencies.
• Recommend modernization of training programmes to reflect current industry practices, emerging technologies, and future workforce requirements.
• Contribute to long-term workforce planning for India's clean energy transition.
• Coordinate with central and state government agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions to facilitate implementation of programme activities.

Skills

Analytical & research skills

Stakeholder engagement

Policy & programme design

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Master's degree Renewable Energy, Energy Management, Public Policy, Management, Economics, or another relevant discipline

Job description

Job Description

Designation

Location New Delhi, India

Reports To Associate Director, Renewable Energy

Years of Directly Related Experience 5 – 7 years of relevant experience

Education Requirement Master's degree Renewable Energy, Energy Management, Public Policy, Management, Economics, or another relevant discipline.

Duration The position is for an initial period of one (1) year, with the possibility of extension for an additional year based on performance, project requirements, and mutual agreement.

About NRDC India

NRDC India works to accelerate India's clean energy transition by advancing evidence-based policies, building partnerships, and supporting innovative solutions that improve energy access, strengthen climate resilience, and promote sustainable economic growth.

The consultant will work to strengthen India's clean energy workforce ecosystem and ensure that the country's skill development programmes are aligned with the rapidly evolving needs of the renewable energy sector.

POSITION SUMMARY

NRDC India is seeking a dynamic and motivated professional to support in strengthening the renewable energy skilling ecosystem in India.

The consultant will play a central role in reviewing existing skill development programmes, identifying emerging workforce requirements, supporting modernization of training curricula, and facilitating stronger collaboration between government, industry, academia, training institutions, and development partners.

The suitable candidate should possess a sound understanding of the renewable energy sector across the entire project lifecycle-including manufacturing, project development, financing, construction, commissioning, operations, and maintenance—and be able to translate evolving industry requirements into actionable recommendations for workforce development.

The role requires a proactive individual with excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills who can independently lead assignments while working effectively with diverse stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Skills Development and Workforce Planning

• Support in strengthening policies, programmes, and institutional mechanisms related to renewable energy skills and workforce development.
• Support the review of existing renewable energy training programmes, curricula, competency standards, and certification frameworks by engaging relevant stakeholders to identify gaps, overlaps, and opportunities for improvement, and provide recommendations to inform updates by the relevant government agencies.
• Recommend modernization of training programmes to reflect current industry practices, emerging technologies, and future workforce requirements.
• Support development of frameworks for continuous updating of renewable energy training programmes in consultation with industry and academic institutions.
• Contribute to long-term workforce planning for India's clean energy transition.

Industry and Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with renewable energy developers, manufacturers, EPC companies, technology providers, financial institutions, industry associations, Sector Skill Councils, training providers, and academic institutions to understand current and future workforce needs.
• Build partnerships that strengthen collaboration between government, industry, and training institutions.
• Support in organizing consultations, workshops, roundtables, and technical discussions to gather stakeholder inputs and disseminate best practices.

Technical Support

• Track emerging trends and technological developments in the renewable energy sector, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), digitalization, automation, battery energy storage systems, green hydrogen, advanced manufacturing, smart grids, and other innovations influencing workforce requirements.
• Assess how technological advancements are changing skill requirements across different segments of the renewable energy value chain.
• Prepare technical notes, policy briefs, presentations, reports, and recommendations to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Support planning, implementation, and monitoring of initiatives undertaken by the Skills Division under the Clean Energy Jobs programme.
• Coordinate with central and state government agencies, industry partners, development organizations, and academic institutions to facilitate implementation of programme activities.
• Track progress of assigned activities and prepare periodic progress reports and implementation updates.

Knowledge Management

• Conduct research on domestic and international best practices related to renewable energy workforce development and skill ecosystems.
• Develop knowledge products, case studies, briefing notes, and communication material to support programme implementation.
• Support dissemination of project outcomes through workshops, publications, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Qualifications

• Master's degree Renewable Energy, Energy Management, Public Policy, Management, Economics, or another relevant discipline.
• Additional qualifications or certifications in renewable energy, workforce development, project management, or emerging technologies will be an advantage.

Experience

• 5–7 years of relevant professional experience in renewable energy, clean energy transition, workforce development, manufacturing, project development, consulting, programme management, or related sectors.
• Experience working with government agencies, industry, consulting firms, development organizations, research institutions, or international organizations, with demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement and programme coordination.
• Experience in renewable energy skill development, vocational education, training programmes, curriculum development, competency frameworks, or workforce planning will be an advantage.
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Renewable energy manufacturing and industry partnerships
  • Solar, wind, battery energy storage, green hydrogen, or other clean energy technologies
  • Skill development and vocational education
  • Curriculum development and competency/qualification frameworks
  • Government advisory assignments
  • Workforce analytics, labour market assessments, or workforce planning
  • Programme management and implementation

Required Knowledge and Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

Technical Knowledge

• Strong understanding of the renewable energy sector in India.
• Good understanding of the renewable energy project lifecycle, including manufacturing, supply chains, project development, financing, engineering, construction, commissioning, operations, and maintenance.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), digitalization, automation, advanced analytics, and their impact on future jobs and skills.
• Understanding of India's renewable energy policy landscape and clean energy ecosystem.

Professional Skills

• Strong analytical and research capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Ability to synthesize technical information into practical policy and programme recommendations.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously and meet deadlines.

Personal Attributes

• Self-driven and proactive.
• Demonstrated leadership and initiative.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Adaptable and comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to excellence.

Expected Outcomes

The consultant will support in achieving the following outcomes:

• Strengthened institutional framework for renewable energy skills development.
• Updated and industry-aligned renewable energy training programmes.
• Enhanced engagement between government, industry, academia, and training institutions.
• Improved understanding of emerging workforce requirements across the renewable energy sector.
• Development of policy recommendations, knowledge products, and implementation frameworks that support India's clean energy workforce transition.

NRDC India is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified professionals committed to advancing India's clean energy transition and workforce development.