Programme Lead- Technology Futures

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

Programme Lead - Technology Futures

Terms of Reference

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 by 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

●        We provide a safe space for all

●        At CEEW, your life is your example for others

Designation offered: Programme Lead

Team/ Focus area: Technology Futures

Reporting to: Senior Programme Lead / Fellow

Location: New Delhi

Duration: Full Time

Purpose:  CEEW seeks to hire a suitable candidate for the Programme Lead position to anchor its work on critical minerals within the Technology Futures team. Working with the Team Lead for Technology Futures, the Programme Lead will help shape the research direction of the programme, 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 successful applicant will be expected to develop the team's expertise on mineral use beyond the clean energy sector and conduct analyses that detail the impact of competing use cases on India's energy transition. On clean energy technologies, the applicant will build detailed expertise on market movements, technology and material changes, and the geopolitics that can affect the competitiveness of India's manufacturing sector. The Programme Lead will also conceptualise and identify policy recommendations to support Indian policymakers in bringing new technology to India and scaling up domestic manufacturing, explore work with various stakeholders to conceptualise pilot projects for new technologies, and 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, who can mentor a young team, work with donors and network with key stakeholders across government, industry and the investment community. In addition to the responsibilities outlined below, the candidate should be prepared to be agile responding to emerging national and global developments and taking on additional responsibilities as this workstream evolves.

Position: Programme Lead – Critical Minerals

Job Duties and Accountabilities

Strategic leadership

•    Constantly review developments in the ecosystem linked with clean energy manufacturing and critical minerals, through the varied lenses of geopolitics, technology, economics, equity and jobs.

•    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.

•    Conceptualise and identify policy recommendations that support Indian policymakers in bringing new technology to India and scaling up domestic manufacturing.

•    Explore work with various stakeholders to conceptualise pilot projects for new technologies, and develop innovative market and financing solutions to support the energy transition.

•    Support the Team Lead for Technology Futures in mentoring a growing and young team, and work closely with other teams such as Energy Transition, Power Markets and Industrial Sustainability.

•    Participate in relevant conferences, workshops and training programmes as necessary to communicate research findings and gain insights on new research in focus areas.

•    Take on responsibilities beyond research and research engagement to ensure the smooth functioning of the office.

Research

•    Conceptualise original research projects and/or programmes in line with the internally approved strategy, and lead at least three research projects per year.

•    Write reports, papers, issue briefs and policy briefs, with a minimum of three published papers or reports.

•    Develop the team's expertise on mineral use beyond the clean energy sector, and analyse the impact of competing use cases on India's energy transition.

•    Build detailed expertise on market movements, technology and material changes, and geopolitics, along the clean technology value chain exploration, mining, processing, procurement, manufacturing, deployment, reuse and recycling.

•    Design primary data collection, data collation and analysis as necessary to drive novel research.

•    Develop strong relationships with researchers and with industry, government and international agencies.

•    Collaborative research is vital to this role, and establishing joint research or evaluation studies with other civil society organisations, industry or government agencies is an important part of it.

Outreach

•    Co-design and execute an outreach plan for every research project, in collaboration with the Strategic Communications Lead.

•    Undertake significant public interfacing on behalf of CEEW at various national and international forums.

•    Ensure strict adherence to CEEW's branding guidelines and outreach SOPs.

•    Publish at least one opinion piece every quarter and respond to media requests promptly.

•    Oversee the maintenance and timely updating of stakeholder databases.

Programme Assistance

•    Give programmatic structure to, and ensure cohesion across, various projects and teams enabling cross-cutting research and leveraging capacity in other teams to deliver.

•    Prepare detailed donor reports and project completion reports.

•    Develop an outcome map for projects and programmes, indicating clearly to funders the impacts corresponding to their own goals.

•    Build a network of donors and partners and demonstrate buy-in from potential funders; fund-raising will play a key role in this position.

•    Supervise and mentor Programme Associates, Research Analysts and interns.

•    Deliver training to other staff on research, policy or other skills.

Selection Criteria – Education & Experience

•    A Bachelor's degree (B.E./ B.Tech) in Mining Engineering. A postgraduate qualification an MBA, or a Master's in energy, minerals, economics, public policy or a related discipline will be an added advantage.

•    8 to 12 years of relevant experience, including academic projects, industry experience, or experience of working in a technical or management consulting firm.

•    Working understanding of the minerals and metals value chain exploration, resource estimation, mining, beneficiation, processing and metallurgy and of how it connects to downstream manufacturing, reuse and recycling.

•    Familiarity with critical mineral supply chains and clean energy technology markets, and with the trade policy and geopolitics that shape them.

•    Experience of leading and managing projects (or aspects of some projects) independently scoping the research question, designing the approach, managing timelines and budgets, and delivering to quality.

•    A track record of high-quality written output research reports, policy or issue briefs, journal papers, or client-facing techno-economic and transaction advisory studies.

•    Experience of managing engagements with a range of stakeholders central and state governments, industry, investors, research institutions, and communities around mining and processing sites.

•    Experience of managing research analysts, associates, consultants or interns.

•    Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment.

•    Strong communication skills for effective, efficient and adaptive verbal and written communication, and active listening.

•    Willingness to travel to mine and processing sites, state capitals, and national and international forums as the work requires.

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

Compensation

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

Application Process

CEEW is an equal opportunity employer and the selection process does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, or sexuality. Female candidates are encouraged to apply. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested applicants are advised to apply at the earliest possible.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified by us. We appreciate your interest. ​