Programme Associate - West Bengal

International Forum For Environment Sustainability & Technology; India; Remote; INR 1,200,000 - 2,200,000; Full time

Job summary

iFOREST seeks a Programme Associate - West Bengal Coordinator to drive research and engagement on industrial heat decarbonisation in boiler-based industries and MSMEs. The role involves on-ground coordination in West Bengal, field surveys, data analysis and policy-oriented reporting, with collaboration across government and industry.

The candidate should have a BTech/MTech in engineering, 4+ years of relevant experience, and familiarity with energy, GHGs and techno-economics, preferably based in

Qualifications

• BTech/MTech in Engineering mandatory; preferably Mechanical, Civil, Energy or Environment.
• Experience in energy, GHG emissions and techno-economics preferred.
• Knowledge of industries/MSMEs, boilers, heat pumps, energy efficiency and audits preferred.
• Experience in research, technical writing and presentations; track record preferred.
• West Bengal (Kolkata) residents with Bengali knowledge preferred.
• Minimum 4 years of relevant industrial research/advisory/consulting experience required.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute research assignments, including methodology and activities.
• Conduct energy use, techno-economics, and emissions analyses in boiler-based sectors.
• Plan industry surveys, site visits, energy assessments and data collection.
• Prepare technical reports, policy briefs, and presentations for stakeholders.
• Coordinate with West Bengal govt and industry partners as on-ground liaison.
• Support proposals, new work areas, and programme branding.

Skills

Energy & GHG expertise

Techno-economics

Industrial boilers

English & Bengali communication

Education

BTech/MTech in Engineering

Job description

The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST), is looking for a motivated and dynamic professional to support the organisation's research and engagement on decarbonising industrial heat in boiler-based industries and MSMEs, and to coordinate its programme activities in West Bengal.

A successful applicant must have a proven aptitude for technical research, industry surveys and report writing, and good communication skills with industry and government. The candidate should ideally have working experience on energy, GHG emissions and techno-economics, and knowledge of industries/MSMEs, boilers, heat pumps, energy efficiency, energy audits and related policies. Candidates based in Kolkata with knowledge of Bengali will be preferred.

Location: Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Required Experience: 4+ years

About iFOREST

iFOREST is an independent not-for-profit research and innovation organisation that was established in 2019 to identify, promote and scale up solutions for pressing environment-development challenges in India and other developing countries in Asia and Africa.

Our work is rooted in regional priorities to accelerate environmental actions at the sub-national level and to improve national policies and plans to support it. Our mission is to address the unique needs of regions by leveraging our resources and expertise to scale up national action and make a global impact. We use our regional knowledge to inform national policy and plans and strengthen international collaboration.

To achieve our goals, we conduct independent evidence-based research, develop new knowledge and innovative solutions, convene stakeholders to increase awareness and build consensus, and partner with think tanks, civil society, government agencies, philanthropies and industry to scale up solutions.

The Industrial Decarbonization Programme

The Industrial Decarbonization Programme is a part of iFOREST's flagship initiative on Enabling Energy Transitions. The objective of the programme is to steer a green industry transition to support green growth and green jobs, while improving local environmental conditions and achieving climate goals. The focus is on conducting evidence-based research, including modelling studies to develop comprehensive roadmaps, identify policy solutions and provide technical support for industrial decarbonisation in sectors like steel, fertilizer, cement, bricks and at-risk MSME sectors. The transition in these sectors has the potential to deliver significant emissions reductions and generate impact at the state and national level.

The Programme is strongly focused on technical research and stakeholder engagement (especially with government departments/agencies and the industry) to achieve a green transition of fossil fuel-dependent factories that are associated with various industries.

Within this, the Boiler and Heat Pump Programme focuses on decarbonising industrial process heat in boiler-based industries and MSMEs, such as food & beverages, textiles, chemicals and pharma, through energy efficiency, energy audits, industrial heat pumps, cleaner technologies and supportive policy, with on-ground engagement in industrial states such as West Bengal and Maharashtra.

The Role

The Programme Associate - West Bengal Coordinator will be responsible for the execution of research and engagement outputs on industrial heat decarbonisation across boiler-based industries and MSMEs in West Bengal. This would entail research and analysis, industry surveys, technical writing and engagement with industry and government, while acting as the programme's on-ground coordinator in West Bengal, with the support of a dedicated team. In addition, they would also be expected to identify new areas of work to support institutional goals.

Specific tasks to be undertaken are:

Research and analysis

• Contribute to designing research assignments, including methodology and specific activities and tasks.
• Conduct research and analysis on energy use, technology, techno-economics, GHG emissions and pollution in boiler-based industries and MSMEs.
• Assess options such as energy efficiency, industrial heat pumps and cleaner fuels/technologies for process heat.
• Stay abreast with the latest developments, technologies and policies in the sector.

Industry surveys and data collection

• Plan and conduct industry surveys, plant visits, energy assessments and primary data collection in industrial clusters across West Bengal.
• Manage, clean and analyse datasets from field and secondary sources.

Technical report writing and presentations

• Write technical reports, policy papers and briefs based on evidence.
• Prepare and deliver presentations for industry, government and other stakeholders.

Engagement with industry and government in West Bengal

• Act as iFOREST's point of contact for the programme in West Bengal, coordinating closely with the Noida-based team.
• Build relationships with industries, MSME clusters, industry associations and state government departments and agencies in West Bengal.
• Facilitate access to industrial units for site visits and data collection.
• Organise and support state-level consultations, workshops and report release events.

Additional duties

• Support development of new concept notes, proposals and budgets for projects/interventions that further institutional objectives.
• Identify new areas of work and opportunities that contribute to programmatic goals.
• Contribute to the institution's brand building by representing iFOREST on various public platforms.
• Execute any related assignments that may arise in relation to the tasks or for further enhancement of the programme.

Qualification & Work Experience

• A BTech/MTech in Engineering is a must, preferably in Mechanical, Civil, Energy or Environment.
• Working experience on energy, GHG emissions and techno-economics will be preferred.
• Knowledge of industries/MSMEs, boilers, heat pumps, energy efficiency, energy audits and related policies will be preferred.
• Experience in research, technical writing and presentation, with a track record of technical research, policy papers and presentations, will be preferred.
• Candidates based in West Bengal (Kolkata) with knowledge of Bengali will be preferred.
• A minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience in industrial research, advisory, or consulting is required.

Competencies & Responsibilities

The successful candidate should have the following competencies:

• Strong technical knowledge of industrial operations, boilers, process heat and energy
• Strong quantitative skills, with ability to work with large datasets.
• Ability to undertake technical research, analysis, and surveys.
• Ability to prepare technical reports of high quality.
• Experience of engagement with industry partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Good communication skills in English and Bengali

Why Choose iFOREST

• Purpose-driven work: Contributing from sub-national to national and global goals.
• Professional development: In areas and sectors that are contemporary and pressing.
• Compensation: We offer a salary that is not only competitive but recognizes and rewards your commitment and talent.
• Inclusive Culture: Benefit from a supportive and diverse work environment.

Remuneration

Competitive salary as per the candidate s experience and proficiency. Final designation of successful candidate will be based on qualification and experience.

Application deadline & instructions

Immediate opening. Position open until filled