Research Associate

About Swaniti Initiative

Swaniti Initiative is a policy research and implementation organization working at the intersection of governance, energy transition, and sustainable development. The organization partners with government stakeholders, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and development partners to support evidence-based policymaking and on-ground implementation, with a focus on India’s transition towards a more sustainable and inclusive energy future.

About the Project

The SOE (Coal, Oil & Gas) program focuses on supporting Indian state-owned energy companies in navigating the economic, regulatory, and institutional challenges of transitioning beyond fossil fuels. The work spans applied research on diversification pathways, institutional reforms, and transition planning, alongside technical assistance and stakeholder engagement with PSUs, state governments, regulators, and development partners. The program contributes to broader national conversations on energy transition, just transition, and public sector transformation.

Role Summary

The Research Associate will support the SOE program team in conducting high-quality research, analysis, and project implementation related to India’s coal, oil, and gas sectors and their evolving role in the energy transition. The role involves a combination of desk research, data analysis, documentation, and coordination with stakeholders, as well as limited field engagement. The Research Associate will work closely with Program Leads and Project Managers to develop policy-relevant insights, contribute to knowledge products, and support delivery of project outputs.

This role is suited for a motivated professional who is keen to build expertise in India’s energy sector, state-owned enterprise reforms, and development policy, and who is comfortable working in a fast-paced, policy-oriented environment.

Research & Analytical Support

• Conduct secondary research, literature reviews, and data collection on coal, oil, and gas sector dynamics, SOE functioning, diversification pathways, and transition strategies.
  
• Support development of analytical frameworks, sectoral notes, and background papers.
  
• Contribute to drafting research reports, policy briefs, presentations, and technical notes for internal and external audiences.
  
• Track national and international developments related to energy transition, public sector reforms, and climate policy, and synthesize relevant insights for the team.
  

Stakeholder Engagement & Field Support

• Support coordination with state government departments, PSUs, regulators, and development partners for meetings, consultations, and workshops.
  
• Assist in preparing briefing materials, meeting notes, and follow-up documentation for stakeholder engagements.
  
• Support documentation of field visits, consultations, and learning exchanges, and assist in synthesizing field-level insights into research outputs.
  

Project Management & Institutional Coordination

• Support day-to-day project coordination, including timelines, deliverables, and internal tracking of tasks.
  
• Assist in preparing donor reports, presentations, and project updates, in coordination with program managers.
  
• Support internal coordination with cross-functional teams (communications, operations, and partnerships) to ensure smooth delivery of project outputs.
  

Knowledge Management & Communications Support

• Maintain organized records of project documents, datasets, and research outputs.
  
• Support preparation of knowledge products for dissemination, including briefs, presentations, and summary notes.
  
• Assist in preparing content for external communication, knowledge-sharing platforms, and institutional learning.
  

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Energy Studies, Economics, Development Studies, Environmental Studies, or a related field.
  
• 3-4 years of relevant work experience in policy research, energy/climate programs, consulting, development sector organizations, think tanks, or government-facing roles.
  
• Demonstrated interest in India’s energy sector, particularly coal, oil, and gas, or broader energy transition and public sector reform issues.
  
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, structured written outputs.
  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English; Hindi proficiency is an advantage.
  
• Proficiency in MS Office / Google Workspace (Word/Docs, Excel/Sheets, PowerPoint/Slides).
  

Desirable Skills & Attributes

• Prior exposure to projects involving PSUs, government departments, regulators, or development partners.
  
• Familiarity with policy research methods, basic qualitative and quantitative analysis, and report writing.
  
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work in a collaborative team environment.
  
• Willingness to travel for field visits and stakeholder engagements, as required.
  
• Interest in issues of just transition, inclusive development, and institutional reform.