Research Associate

Swaniti Initiative; India; On-site; INR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Swaniti Initiative in India seeks a Research Associate to support the SOE program on coal, oil, and gas, and energy transition. You will conduct desk research, data analysis, and prepare policy briefs while coordinating with state governments, PSUs, regulators, and partners.

The role offers exposure to policy research, knowledge products, and field engagement, with opportunities to contribute to evidence-based decision making in a fast-paced, policy-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• 3–4 years of policy research/energy/climate program experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication in English; Hindi is an advantage.
• Familiarity with policy research methods and report writing.
• Prior exposure to PSUs, government departments, regulators, or development partners.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Willingness to travel for field visits and stakeholder engagements.
• Interest in just transition, inclusive development, and institutional reform.

Responsibilities

• Provide research and analytical support on coal, oil, and gas sector dynamics and transition strategies.
• Coordinate with state governments, PSUs, regulators, and development partners for meetings and workshops.
• Prepare briefing materials, meeting notes, and follow-up documentation.
• Support field visits, stakeholder engagements, and synthesize field insights into research outputs.
• Assist in day-to-day project coordination, timelines, and donor reports.
• Contribute to knowledge products and external communications.

Skills

Research skills

English communication

Hindi proficiency (advantage)

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Master’s degree in Public Policy, Energy Studies, Economics, Development Studies, Environmental Studies

Job description

Swaniti Initiative is a policy research and implementationorganization working at the intersection of governance, energy transition, andsustainable development. The organization partners with governmentstakeholders, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and development partners tosupport evidence-based policymaking and on-ground implementation, with a focuson India’s transition towards a more sustainable and inclusive energy future.

About the Project

The SOE (Coal, Oil & Gas) program focuses on supportingIndian state-owned energy companies in navigating the economic, regulatory, andinstitutional challenges of transitioning beyond fossil fuels. The work spansapplied research on diversification pathways, institutional reforms, andtransition planning, alongside technical assistance and stakeholder engagementwith PSUs, state governments, regulators, and development partners. The programcontributes to broader national conversations on energy transition, justtransition, and public sector transformation.

Role Summary

The Research Associate will support the SOE program team inconducting high-quality research, analysis, and project implementation relatedto India’s coal, oil, and gas sectors and their evolving role in the energytransition. The role involves a combination of desk research, data analysis,documentation, and coordination with stakeholders, as well as limited fieldengagement. The Research Associate will work closely with Program Leads andProject Managers to develop policy-relevant insights, contribute to knowledgeproducts, and support delivery of project outputs.

This role is suited for a motivated professional who is keento build expertise in India’s energy sector, state-owned enterprise reforms,and development policy, and who is comfortable working in a fast-paced,policy-oriented environment.

Requirements

Research & Analytical Support

• Conductsecondary research, literature reviews, and data collection on coal, oil,and gas sector dynamics, SOE functioning, diversification pathways, andtransition strategies.
• Supportdevelopment of analytical frameworks, sectoral notes, and backgroundpapers.
• Contributeto drafting research reports, policy briefs, presentations, and technicalnotes for internal and external audiences.
• Tracknational and international developments related to energy transition,public sector reforms, and climate policy, and synthesize relevantinsights for the team.

Stakeholder Engagement & Field Support

• Supportcoordination with state government departments, PSUs, regulators, anddevelopment partners for meetings, consultations, and workshops.
• Assistin preparing briefing materials, meeting notes, and follow-updocumentation for stakeholder engagements.
• Supportdocumentation of field visits, consultations, and learning exchanges, andassist in synthesizing field-level insights into research outputs.

Project Management & Institutional Coordination

• Supportday-to-day project coordination, including timelines, deliverables, andinternal tracking of tasks.
• Assistin preparing donor reports, presentations, and project updates, incoordination with program managers.
• Supportinternal coordination with cross-functional teams (communications,operations, and partnerships) to ensure smooth delivery of projectoutputs.

Knowledge Management & Communications Support

• Maintainorganized records of project documents, datasets, and research outputs.
• Supportpreparation of knowledge products for dissemination, including briefs,presentations, and summary notes.
• Assistin preparing content for external communication, knowledge-sharingplatforms, and institutional learning.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Master’sdegree in Public Policy, Energy Studies, Economics, Development Studies, Environmental Studies, or a related field.
• 3-4 years of relevant work experience in policy research, energy/climateprograms, consulting, development sector organizations, think tanks, orgovernment-facing roles.
• Demonstratedinterest in India’s energy sector, particularly coal, oil, and gas, orbroader energy transition and public sector reform issues.
• Strongresearch and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complexinformation into clear, structured written outputs.
• Strongwritten and verbal communication skills in English; Hindi proficiency isan advantage.
• Priorexposure to projects involving PSUs, government departments, regulators,or development partners.
• Familiaritywith policy research methods, basic qualitative and quantitative analysis,and report writing.
• Abilityto manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work in a collaborative teamenvironment.
• Willingnessto travel for field visits and stakeholder engagements, as required.
• Interestin issues of just transition, inclusive development, and institutionalreform.

If you do not hear from us within 30 days, please consider your application to be unsuccessful, and your application has been retained in our database for future opportunities.