Job Description
Location:
Noida
Position:
Full-time
Experience:
minimum 7 years in the relevant area
1. Position Overview
iFOREST is seeking a
Senior Programme Associate (SPA)
with
strong socio-economic research capabilities and excellent writing skills
to contribute to the organizations work on
just transition, economic diversification, and regional economic development .
The ideal candidate is someone who:
Thinks analytically,
Demonstrates strong conceptual understanding of economic and development issues of fossil fuel-dependent regions.
Writes with clarity and precision,
Produces high-quality research outputs under tight timelines, and
2. Key Responsibilities
A. Research and Analysis
Conduct and supervise high-quality survey-based socio-economic research in coal districts, with a specific focus on economic structures, prospective energy transition risks, opportunities, etc.
Evaluate survey results and develop analytical outputs.
Undertake secondary research for socio-economic aspects related to the energy transition, including collecting and analyzing government and industry datasets, and other scholarly sources.
Convert complex quantitative and qualitative findings into coherent narratives and policy-relevant insights.
Contribute to the development of analytical methodologies, conceptual frameworks, and evidence-building processes.
Produce clear, concise, well-argued research outputs—reports, policy briefs, and presentations.
B. Coordination and Engagement
Coordinate with government departments, industry actors, experts, and research partners on data procurement, information gathering, and strengthening of research outputs.
Do one-on-one meetings with senior government officials, industry leaders, and other such related stakeholders for the uptake and implementation of policies and plans.
Support planning and organisation of stakeholder consultations, workshops, roundtables, and dissemination events.
Any other coordination and engagement as required for project execution and achievement of programme goals.
3. Required Qualifications and Skills
Academic Qualifications
• Master’s degree in economics (development economics, applied economics), applied social sciences, or relevant science disciplines with strong quantitative or socio-economic research training.
Professional Experience
• Minimum 7 years of relevant research experience in reputed institutions, research organisations, think tanks, academia, or development agencies.
• Demonstrated experience in analysing large socio-economic datasets (national surveys, administrative datasets, or project-level datasets).
• Proven track record of producing high-quality, well-written research outputs (reports, briefs, analyses, assessments).
• Experience in primary research (surveys, KIIs, FGDs).
• Prior work on economic diversification, regional development, coal mining-region transitions, or just transition is an added advantage.
Core Skills (Must-Have)
•
High-quality research skills: survey and analysis, conceptualisation, data synthesis, analytical reasoning.
• Exceptional writing ability: clear, precise, structured, and analytically strong.
• Ability to work with, interpret, and derive insights from complex socio-economic datasets.
• Familiarity with qualitative and quantitative analysis tools (Excel, R, Stata, SPSS, or similar).
• Willingness to travel.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
4. What We Offer
• Opportunity to contribute to impactful work on just transition, economic diversification, and regional economic planning.
• Exposure to policy processes, government engagement, industry engagement, and cross-sectoral research.
• Dynamic and supportive team culture that emphasises analytical rigour and high-quality writing.
• Competitive compensation based on experience and organisational norms.
5. How to Apply
Please submit the following to —— with the subject line:
“Application: SPA – Just Transition”
• CV
• Cover letter (max 1 page)
