Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), New Delhi

Programme Lead – Technology Futures

At CEEW, we are deliberate about what we stand for (and what we don't stand for!) as an employer. So, if the below description strikes a chord, we would love to hear from you!

At CEEW, we build careers in public policy

•  We offer strong visionary leadership – with emphasis on research and impact at scale
•   We actively promote leadership through initiative
•   We celebrate talent and ambition
•   You will be surrounded by smart people who will challenge you and help you grow
•   You will learn faster than your peers in other organisations
•   Curiosity and irreverence as well as responsibility come together at CEEW
•   You will get above-market remuneration
•   We provide a safe space for all
•   At CEEW, your life is your example for others

Designation offered

Engagement Lead

Reporting to

Senior Programme Lead, Tech Futures

Location

New Delhi, India

Programme Description

Globally, countries and companies are at aiming to transit to a low carbon pathway in the coming decades. Many countries have already announced their Net Zero emission targets starting 2050. India has also committed to a Net-Zero path and aims to achieve the same by 2070. The country has also committed to setting up 500 GW of non-fossil fuel based power generation capacity, 50 per cent renewable energy capacity, reduction of one billion tonnes of carbon emission and reduction of carbon intensity by 45 per cent by 2030.

Advancements in hard and soft components of technology will be crucial for reduction, capture and offset of emissions. Technologies need to be designed and developed according to the local requirements. It is hence imperative that technological innovations across the value chain be conceptualised, designed, nurtured and supported proactively for applications in the India. Given the magnitude of change that is required, India can become the global powerhouse that co-develops, deploys, manufactures, exports and recycles these emerging and next-generation technologies. The research programme would assess the impacts and eventually drive technological advancements across the value chain – procurement, manufacturing, deployment, reuse and recycling.

Purpose

CEEW seeks to hire a Programme Lead for the Technology Futures team. The individual would be leading the work on critical minerals and clean energy supply chains. He/She would be responsible to build and mentor team, work with donors and network with key stakeholders in the sector. The successful applicant will track global market developments and lead robust quantitative and qualitative analyses of new and upcoming critical minerals and clean energy technologies.

On critical minerals, the candidate will be expected to develop the team’s expertise on mineral use beyond clean energy sector and conduct analyses that details the impact of competing use cases on India’s energy transition. In clean energy technologies, the candidate will be expected to build detailed expertise on market movements, technology and material changes along geopolitics, which can impact the competitiveness of India’s manufacturing sector.

The candidate will also be responsible to conceptualise and identify policy recommendations to support Indian policymakers in bringing new technology to India and scaling up domestic manufacturing. The candidate will be expected to explore work with various stakeholders to conceptualise pilot projects for new technologies. Additionally, the candidate will also develop innovative market and financing solutions to support the energy transition.

We are looking for an experienced professional with hands-on experience and deep sectoral understanding, to build and expand the Council’s work on critical minerals and clean energy supply chains. The candidate would eventually be expected to conceptualise research projects to drive the technological advancements across the clean tech value chain – exploration, mining, processing, procurement, manufacturing, deployment, reuse and recycling.

Job Duties and Accountabilities  

• Track latest technological innovations in mining, processing, power, energy storage and the transport sector at the national and international level.
• Actively track geopolitics and its impact on critical minerals and clean energy value chains development in India. 
• Based on market tracking, identify new areas of opportunity for the Indian and global clean energy industry, and develop policy roadmaps to deploy new technology successfully.
• At the state-level connect the dots between rising power and fuel demand, policies and latest technological innovations to device low cost strategy for accelerated energy transition of the state and eventually the country.
• Develop pragmatic roadmap for selected states for manufacturing, deployment, reuse and recycling of energy storage, electric vehicles, efficient transport fuels and other technological solutions.
• To analyse existing policies and technologies to design solutions that are technically and commercially sound for on ground implementation in the near future.
• Track best practices of other countries where technological innovations and deployment has flourished.
• Build necessary networks with key stakeholders in the government, industry, venture capitalists, technology startups, academia and research institutions. Leverage the network to conceptualise new projects.
• Co-develop the programme and mentor younger colleagues. Work closely with other teams like Energy Transition, Power Markets, Industrial Sustainability etc.
• Develop research outputs in various forms such as publications, presentations, journal papers, reports, op-eds, and articles.
• Work with senior researchers on conceptualising new projects (as and when needed) and support revenue generation for new projects.
• To participate in relevant conferences, workshops, training programmes as necessary to communicate research findings and gain insights on new research in focus areas.
• Support efforts to use new media platforms for the wide dissemination of CEEW's work and, in turn, closer engagement with the wider community.

Desirable Outcomes (first year)

• Lead the team to publish one report on critical minerals and one report on supply chains.
• Write project proposal and raise at least one grant.
• Take up atleast one institutional responsibility or actively work on one institutional initiative.

Shortlisting Criteria and key skills:

• Foundational degree in engineering is a pre-requisite. A graduate/doctoral degree in engineering, public policy, energy economics or related disciplines such as energy management would be desirable.
• Must have a functional knowledge of renewable energy and energy storage sector with a broad understanding of the power sector in Inida. Experience of working in the electric mobility sector would be desirable. 
• Ability to leverage his/her stakeholder network in the power, energy storage and transport sector to keep a tab on the latest trends.
• Ability to summarise and communicate the insights/findings as reports and presentations.

Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in research in areas mentioned in the ‘Purpose’ section. In the absence of research credentials, significant work-experience (>5 years) in renewable energy project design, planning and operations is required.
• Experience in delegating and managing work load across a team with strong track record of project management and timely delivery of outputs.
• Experience in dealing with public and private institutions within and outside India.

Main skills

• Ability to identify technical and policy issues, interpret data, develop quantitative methods, and identify/ develop creative solutions.
• Good written and oral communication skills; Good report writing and presentation skills.
• Strong networking skills and experience in dealing with different stakeholders, including central and state government officials, discom officials, and researchers is essential.
• Strong analytical skills, including quantitative research.
• Ability to use MS Office application suite including MS Excel.
• Ability to represent the research and the organisation at various national and international platforms.
• Desirable: Relevant publications in peer reviewed journals/book chapters.

Personality

• Willingness to learn new research and project management skills.
• Interest in next generation technology with a belief that even small innovations can impact the pace of climate change.
• Ability to adapt to new environment and deliver under tight deadlines in a professional environment.
• Striving for rigour in research and quality in work output.
• Ability to effectively work in a team while being able to independently drive research with minimum assistance, when time demands.
• Ability to dig deeper into details, while also keeping a sense of the broader objectives and big picture.
• Willingness to learn, grow and develop at personal and professional front, at a rapid pace with a steep learning curve.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment

CEEW operates in a dynamic environment and the candidate will be required to show flexibility in undertaking a variety of tasks. CEEW is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates are encouraged to apply. 

Compensation

Competitive compensation – commensurate to the experience and matching the best of standards adopted by industry or other similar organizations for similar roles.

Application Process

Interested candidates are requested to share their curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter explaining your interest in the position (in one document preferably PDF) and send it with a subject line as ‘Application: Engagement Lead –Technology Futures by 30 November 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified by us. We appreciate your interest.