iFOREST

Programme Associate - District Clean Energy Accelerator Programme

Join iFOREST as a Programme Associate in Odisha, India, supporting district-level renewable energy projects. This role involves stakeholder coordination, project implementation, and policy support. Benefit from working on a large clean energy initiative with government engagement and professional growth opportunities.
iFOREST
iFOREST On-site Full time UTC+05:30
Bhadrak, India Bhawānipatna, India Baleshwar, Odisha, India Baragada, Odisha, India Boudh, Odisha, India Dhenkanal, Odisha, India Paralakhemundi, Odisha, India Jagatsinghapur, Odisha, India Jajpur, Odisha, India Kendujhar, Odisha, India Malkangiri, Odisha, India Baripada, Odisha, India Nabarangapur, Odisha, India Nayagada, Odisha, India Nuapada, Odisha, India

iFOREST

Company Overview

Name

iFOREST (International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology)

Headquarters

New Delhi, India

Founded

2019

Size

Employee count specifics for 2023 or later remain unavailable, but the organization operates with a scale that supports various programs involving research teams, policy advisors, and partnerships (source: iforest.global). Revenue figures are not disclosed as it is a non-profit organization.

What They Do

iFOREST focuses on facilitating clean energy transitions rather than developing proprietary renewable energy technologies such as solar panels or wind turbines. Instead, it provides essential research, policy advisory, and capacity-building services aimed at supporting the shift from coal to renewable energy sources in India (source: iforest.global). The organization’s core offerings include regional just transition plans for coal-dependent areas, industrial decarbonization roadmaps, and renewable energy policy support, all grounded in data-driven analysis to ensure equitable economic viability (source: iforest.global). Target markets encompass Indian state governments, energy departments, and cities facing heat and pollution challenges, with customer segments including regulators, industries, local governments, and civil society (source: iforest.global). iFOREST stands out in the competitive landscape of environmental think tanks by emphasizing just transition financing, estimating over $1 trillion needed for India to phase out coal mines and power plants while supporting millions of workers (source: saurenergy.com).

Projects & Track Record

iFOREST has completed several notable projects, including India's first Regional Just Transition Investment Plan for the Chandrapur-Nagpur-Yavatmal energy cluster, which aims to catalyze green investments in one of the largest coal-dependent regions (source: iforest.global). Another significant project is the just transition assessment for Jharkhand, which covers coal, power, and fossil fuel industries, providing pathways for mine closures, workforce reskilling, and green growth (source: iforest.global). Additionally, iFOREST has evaluated State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs) across six states, identifying critical gaps in capacity, financing, and local implementation (source: iforest.global). Ongoing major projects include the India Just Transition Centre, which focuses on research and policy regarding green jobs, and the iFOREST Academy, which offers certified courses in various environmental fields (source: iforest.global). The organization is also developing the Integrated Heat and Cooling Action Plan (IHCAP) for Bhubaneswar, which outlines equity-focused urban greening initiatives (source: iforest.global).

Recent Developments

In the past two years, iFOREST has made significant strides, including the release of a report estimating over $1 trillion needed for India's coal phase-down by 2050, emphasizing the importance of green energy costs for repowering thermal capacity (source: saurenergy.com). The organization also published a study on Assam's renewable potential, which exceeded prior government estimates, advocating for policies to achieve 43% renewable energy sourcing by 2030 (source: economictimes.com). Furthermore, iFOREST convened a national conference focused on balanced renewable energy growth, engaging various state stakeholders (source: outlookbusiness.com). The organization has also launched new programs in Urban Transition and Industrial Decarbonization, alongside initial air pollution work highlighted in its latest annual report (source: iforest.global).

Working There

iFOREST offers a variety of roles in research, policy analysis, program management, and capacity building across several departments, including Just Transition, Clean Energy, Climate Resilience, and Air Pollution (source: iforest.global). The organization primarily hires from its New Delhi headquarters, supporting projects across India without specified remote or other office postings (source: linkedin.com). The company culture emphasizes collaborative innovation among scientists and environmentalists, citizen engagement, and equitable climate action, reflecting its commitment to long-term ecological progress (source: iforest.global). While specific employee benefits are not publicly documented, the organization promotes a vision of scientific solutions and inclusive models for environmental sustainability.

Last updated on May 22, 2026 | Report an issue

Job Description

iFOREST is inviting applications for the District Clean Energy Accelerator Programme (DCEAP) in Odisha-a first-of-its-kind initiative supporting the Department of Energy, Government of Odisha, to accelerate renewable energy deployment across the State. As a Programme Associate (District Clean Energy Coordinator), you will work closely with government agencies, DISCOMs, industry, and local stakeholders to support implementation of renewable energy programmes, facilitate district-level clean energy projects, and strengthen Odisha's clean energy transition.

Position Summary

We are seeking highly motivated professionals to serve as Programme Associates (District Clean Energy Coordinators) across Odisha. Based in the assigned district, the Programme Associate will act as the primary field-level representative of the programme, working closely with DISCOM offices, district administration, local government institutions, financial institutions, industry, developers and communities to facilitate renewable energy deployment and strengthen programme implementation.

The role combines project implementation, stakeholder engagement, programme coordination, field assessments, data management, policy feedback and opportunity development across multiple clean energy sectors.

Key Responsibilities

  • Programme Implementation
    • Support implementation of State and Central Government renewable energy programmes, including PM Surya Ghar, PM-KUSUM and other priority initiatives.
    • Facilitate project implementation through continuous coordination with district administrations, DISCOMs, ULBs, Panchayati Raj Institutions and other implementing agencies.
    • Track implementation progress and proactively identify and resolve bottlenecks.
  • District Renewable Energy Development
    • Identify district-specific renewable energy opportunities based on local resource potential and government priorities.
    • Support development of District Renewable Energy Strategies.
    • Facilitate initiatives related to rooftop solar and institutional solar, community and distributed renewable energy, Agrivoltaics, Solar irrigation, Biomass and bioenergy, Industrial renewable energy, Renewable energy land mobilisation, Emerging clean energy technologies etc.
  • Stakeholder Coordination
    • Build and maintain strong relationships with district officials, DISCOMs, developers, financial institutions, farmer organisations, industries, civil society organisations and community groups.
    • Convene district-level coordination meetings and facilitate convergence across departments.
    • Support engagement with private sector and implementation partners.
  • Capacity Building and Outreach
    • Organise workshops, awareness campaigns, training programmes and stakeholder consultations.
    • Support consumer mobilisation and demand aggregation for renewable energy adoption.
    • Prepare IEC material and support communication activities.
  • Monitoring, Reporting and Knowledge Management
    • Maintain district MIS, dashboards and implementation databases.
    • Prepare periodic progress reports, case studies and documentation.
    • Support collection of field data and evidence for programme monitoring and policy inputs.
    • Document implementation challenges, lessons and best practices.
  • Policy and Technical Support
    • Identify regulatory, policy and operational bottlenecks affecting implementation.
    • Provide field inputs to the State PMU for policy improvements.
    • Support pilots and new initiatives emerging under the programme.
  • Any other areas of interventions identified.

Desired Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Energy, Environment, Public Policy, Planning, Rural Development, Economics or related disciplines from reputed schools.
  • 3-6 years of relevant experience in renewable energy, climate change, government programmes, infrastructure, rural development or implementation support.
  • Experience working with Government departments, utilities, development organisations or consulting firms will be preferred.

Required Skills

  • Excellent stakeholder management and coordination skills.
  • Good understanding of renewable energy and clean energy policies.
  • Ability to work independently in field locations.
  • Strong analytical, communication and report writing skills.
  • Experience in data management, MIS and dashboard preparation.
  • Willingness to travel extensively within the assigned district.

What We Offer

Opportunity to work on one of India's largest state-wide clean energy implementation programmes.

Direct engagement with the Government of Odisha and key energy sector institutions.

Exposure to cutting-edge work across renewable energy, agrivoltaics, bioenergy, industrial decarbonisation and emerging clean energy technologies.

A collaborative, mission-driven work environment with opportunities for professional growth.

Remuneration

We offer Competitive salary based on experience and proficiency. The final designation will depend on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

Application Instructions & Deadline

We prefer that candidates apply from LinkedIn or submit online applications at https://iforest.global/careers/

Apply now

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About the role

August 11, 2026

August 11, 2026

Full time

On-site

Non-profit

Solar Energy, Bioenergy

iFOREST

iforest.global

  •  Bhadrak, India
  •  Bhawānipatna, India
  •  Baleshwar, Odisha, India
  •  Baragada, Odisha, India
  •  Boudh, Odisha, India
  •  Dhenkanal, Odisha, India
  •  Paralakhemundi, Odisha, India
  •  Jagatsinghapur, Odisha, India
  •  Jajpur, Odisha, India
  •  Kendujhar, Odisha, India
  •  Malkangiri, Odisha, India
  •  Baripada, Odisha, India
  •  Nabarangapur, Odisha, India
  •  Nayagada, Odisha, India
  •  Nuapada, Odisha, India

3-6 years

UTC+05:30

Tags

Energy Policy · Project Management · Stakeholder Management