Senior Program Associate: Industrial Decarbonization [MSME]

The World Resources Institute is hiring a Senior Program Associate for its Climate, Economics, and Finance Program in New Delhi, India. This role focuses on supporting the low-carbon transition in the MSME sector, engaging with stakeholders, leading research, and managing projects. The candidate should have expertise in GHG measurement, industry trends, and stakeholder engagement, particularly within the food processing and leather industries.
Senior Program Associate: Industrial Decarbonization [MSME]
Climate, Economics, and Finance Program

Who are we, and what do we do?

WRI India, an independent charity legally registered as the India Resources Trust, provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. WRI India’s mission is to help human society live in ways that protect the Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, WRI India puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being.

We are inspired by and associated with the World Resources Institute (WRI), a global research organization. Currently, over 150 researchers are working with WRI India in our offices in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Program Overview for Climate

At WRI India’s Climate, Economics, and Finance (CEF) Program, we focus on integrated solutions that enable a low-carbon transition in India while ensuring that the transition is equitable and just for its people and protects natural resources. We seek to achieve impact at scale through applied research, frameworks, tools, partnerships with key stakeholders, and ground-level implementation.

About your Role

The CEF Program at WRI India is seeking a Senior Program Associate for its ongoing and upcoming interventions with the Indian MSME sector to support the low-carbon transition, unlock new markets, and ensure long-term economic stability. The program aims to build the sector's resilience to climate change impacts, capacity to decarbonize and stay competitive in the low-carbon economy, and support a “just” transition by identifying skilling needs, developing skilling programs, and building capacity to access climate finance.

The role will play a critical role in (a) successfully engaging with MSMEs, policymakers, local partners, and other relevant stakeholders, (b) leading research and implementation of the project, (c) drawing key insights and providing recommendations to meet the objectives and deliver impact, and (d) lead a team of highly motivated people and facilitate on-ground activities at the state or cluster level.

How your day will unfold

You will undertake a range of tasks as listed below:

Project Management:

The selected candidate should:
• Expertise in GHG measurement and management as per international standards (e.g., GHG Protocol, 2006 IPCC Guidelines, etc.).
• Deep understanding of industry trends, policy landscape, and sectoral developments, particularly for the MSME sector within the food processing industry and leather.
• Have credible experience in conducting stakeholders’ consultations and nurturing relationships with MSMEs, local governments, industrial MSME associations, educational institutions, and communities.
• Lead, manage, and develop the project workplan and ensure successful implementation.
• Have relevant expertise in conducting surveys and site visits.
• Have credible experience in conducting focused interviews, lead discussions, and other engagements with cluster associations, MSME units in the clusters, experts, policymakers, and government officials as needed throughout the project.
• Conduct secondary research to complement the interviews and consultations to detailed action plan and low-carbon strategies.
• Coordinate and disseminate capacity-building activities.
• Assist in organizing events/conferences/ trainings/webinars that WRI India hosts or participates in.
• Ensure timely completion of activities and high-quality deliverables.
• Write compelling and persuasive research products, articles, and blogs, and provide research and content development support as needed.
• Travel to other locations if necessary for and beyond this project’s activities.

Team Collaboration and Coordination:

The selected candidate is expected to:
• Supports team's efforts to remain compliant with funder policies & project commitments.
• Ability to coordinate with the relevant internal teams during project development, following necessary policies and processes.

Financial Management and Reporting:

The selected candidate should:
• Assist the project manager with budget management, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Assist in developing periodic narrative reports on project progress and grant closure reports, subject to review and approval by senior managers.
• Keep abreast with WRI’s internal processes and deadlines related to project funding, track deliverable pipeline, and develop knowledge products.

Qualifications, experience, and desired attributes
• Master's degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Public Policy, or a related field.
• 4 – 7 years of relevant industry experience, preferably in the environmental field or climate change, with expertise working with MSMEs and local communities.
• Experience in conducting GHG measurement and management interventions, energy efficiency, or renewable energy projects in MSMEs, planning and implementing training programs or capacity building for small businesses or skilled/semi-skilled workers is highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel to MSME clusters for research and engagement is essential.
• Awareness of key issues, policies, and trends within the MSME sector is required.
• Experience in working with and coordinating across multiple stakeholders is preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and strong communication and writing abilities are necessary.
• A willingness to learn and develop new skills for cutting-edge research is also essential.
• The ability to engage constructively and collaboratively with team members, along with a strong respect for team members and stakeholders, is crucial.
• The candidate must be responsible, resourceful, and self-motivated.
• Knowledge of the local language (Tamil) will be an added advantage.

Location
• Delhi, Chennai

Start date
• As soon as possible.

List of Documents to be attached:
• Cover Letter
• Resume
Salary and Benefits: 14,00,000 to 18,00,000 INR CTC Per Annum

Salary shall be commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package.

Duration: 1 years as term hire (extendable based on performance and project requirements)

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purpose.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) @WRI India
WRI India values and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion across all areas of our work and workforce. Integrating these values into our actions fosters a progressive and collaborative culture and can also enhance our impact. It is our responsibility to create a welcoming working environment for people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experience to learn together. We are responsible for fostering a safe and inclusive workplace where questions, concerns and information about diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our ongoing dialogue and development.
Learn more about WRI India’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Click Here

People-centric to the core:
We keep our people at the centre of everything we do - from a welcoming work environment to benefits and a culture that encourages staff to stay healthy, happy, engaged, and growing.

Equal employment @WRI India
We believe in equal employment, it is our policy to recruit, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to caste, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual preference, parental status, or disability.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) @WRI India
WRI India values and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion across all areas of our work and workforce. Integrating these values into our actions fosters a progressive and collaborative culture and can also enhance our impact. It is our responsibility to create a welcoming working environment for people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experience to learn together. We are responsible for fostering a safe and inclusive workplace where questions, concerns and information about diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our ongoing dialogue and development.
Learn more about WRI India’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Click Here

People-centric to the core:
We keep our people at the centre of everything we do - from a welcoming work environment to benefits and a culture that encourages staff to stay healthy, happy, engaged, and growing.

Some of the non-monetary benefits that our staff get:

Health benefits: We cover health insurance for you and your loved ones for up to INR 8 lakhs
Term Insurance: Our term insurance policy covers life coverage of 50 lakhs per staff member
Employee Assistance program: Promoting mental well-being and supporting staff in achieving a satisfying work-life balance
Health & Nutrition: Personalized diet recommendation from a certified dietitian based on the physical health condition and lifestyle
Flexible work schedule: Alternative work arrangements for all who are eligible by nature of their job
Learning culture: Workshops and trainings to empower staff, encourage new learning opportunities
Rest and Recharge weeks: We encourage staff to take time off to rest, rejuvenate, upskill, and pursue their interests.
Our leave policy: Avail personal time off at 36 per year, along with public holidays, maternity, paternity, and adoption leaves.
Click here to know more about our benefits Careers | WRI INDIA (wri-india.org)
Equal employment @WRI India
We believe in equal employment, it is our policy to recruit, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to caste, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, parental status, or disability.