Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), New Delhi
Research Analyst / Programme Associate – Improving food consumption trends in India

At CEEW, we are deliberate about what we stand for (and what we don’t stand for!) as an employer. We are proud to build careers in public policy and social impact.

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 by initiative​
• We celebrate talent and ambition​
• You will be surrounded by smart ambitious 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
Research Analyst / Programme Associate – improving food consumption trends in India

Reporting to
Programme Lead – Sustainable Food Systems

Location
Delhi

Team:
Sustainable Food Systems

Purpose
We seek to hire a Research Analyst / Programme Associate to build and contribute to CEEW’s work on shifting food consumption trends in India for a sustainable food system.

Job Description

Research

• Design research questions and conduct the necessary research as requested by the Lead of the project in topics such as (but not limited to) food consumption trends in India, market concentration of various private sector actors in the processed food industry, headwinds and tailwinds related to sustainability in the food processing industry, and various channels of institutional procurement like railways, army, PDS, MDM and ICDS.
• Some illustrative examples of research can be
  • Build the research methodology and frameworks for scoping the transformation potential of various institutional procurement channels towards sustainable nutrition
  • Engage with the relevant stakeholders through structured consultations and expert interviews to compile qualitative information about various institutional procurement channels
  • Build the research methodology and frameworks for tracking private sector action towards sustainability in the food processing, distribution and other sectors in food value chains
  • Create necessary frameworks to analyse the potential for creating action groups and coalitions of private sector actors
• Develop and lead qualitative surveys to collect, collate and analyse responses using different narrative and qualitative analytical approaches
• Keep a tab on policy and technological developments in sustainable agriculture and food systems

Others

• Support internal and external stakeholders’ management and build strategic partnerships 
• Lead project implementation to ensure on-time, in-full delivery
• Facilitate and manage communication and outreach with internal and external partners

Selection Criteria

Education

Master's degree in management, public policy, Climate Change, Development, food systems, consumer behaviour, sociology, anthropology or any other field relevant to food systems transformation

Professional experience

• Overall experience of 5-8 years
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in undertaking research, policy engagement, and project management, preferably in the areas of agriculture and food systems
• Strongly preferred: (1) Deep understanding of the FMCG sector or food processing industry or relevant sectoral knowledge of the food value chains in India, (2) Deep understanding of the institutional procurement channels like PDS, ICDS, MDM, etc. 
• A great plus: Demonstrated history of publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Good track record of team management and project management, including timely delivery of outputs 
• Experience in building relationships with collaborators and government stakeholders
• Significant field experience working with on-ground stakeholders, including consumers, farmers, agriculture extension organisations, communities, etc.
• Demonstrated thought leadership in the areas relevant to this ToR

Main skills 

• Project management and stakeholder management skills 
• Strong proficiency with various quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Ability to apply technical knowledge to varied socio-cultural, ecological and political contexts
• Strong writing skills with the ability to write coherently and concisely emails, opinion pieces, policy briefs, and reports
• Strong oral communication skills, as well as an interest in public speaking
• Strong interpersonal skills and confidence to engage with political and business leaders
• Strong interest and ability to lead teams, empathise with the younger researchers, and guide them

Personality

• Ambitious. Curious. Adaptive. Proactive.
• Striving for rigour and impact at scale
• Detail-oriented, while always keeping the larger picture in mind
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment
• Strong interest and flexibility to travel and be on the ground
• Flexibility towards long work hours when the situation demands

CEEW operates in a dynamic environment, and the candidate will be required to show flexibility in undertaking various tasks.

Compensation

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