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Job description
The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST), is looking for a senior and accomplished professional to lead the organisation's Boiler and Heat Pump Programme under its industrial decarbonisation work.
A successful applicant must have a proven track record of leading programmes and teams, technical research and publications, and high-level engagement with government, industry, funders and related agencies. The candidate should ideally have sound technical and policy knowledge of industrial energy, GHG emissions, technology, efficiency, and related regulation and policy.
Location: Sector 132, Noida, India
Required Experience: 12+ years
The Industrial Decarbonization Programme
The Industrial Decarbonization Programme is a part of iFOREST's flagship initiative on Enabling Energy Transitions. The objective of the programme is to steer a green industry transition to support green growth and green jobs, while improving local environmental conditions and achieving climate goals. The focus is on conducting evidence-based research, including modelling studies to develop comprehensive roadmaps, identify policy solutions and provide technical support for industrial decarbonisation in sectors like steel, fertilizer, cement, bricks and at-risk MSME sectors. The transition in these sectors has the potential to deliver significant emissions reductions and generate impact at the state and national level.
The Programme is strongly focused on technical research and stakeholder engagement (especially with government departments/agencies and the industry) to achieve a green transition of fossil fuel-dependent factories that are associated with various industries.
Within this, the Boiler and Heat Pump Programme focuses on decarbonising industrial process heat in boiler-based industries and MSMEs, such as food & beverages, textiles, chemicals and pharma, through energy efficiency, energy audits, industrial heat pumps, cleaner technologies and supportive policy, with on-ground engagement in industrial states such as West Bengal and Maharashtra.
The Role
The Deputy Director will be responsible for the overall leadership, execution and delivery of the Boiler and Heat Pump Programme. This would entail programme and project implementation, funder engagement, budget management and reporting, supervision and quality of research outputs, and high-level engagement with government and industry, while leading a dedicated team. In addition, they would also be expected to shape the programme's strategy and grow its portfolio.
Specific tasks to be undertaken are
Lead programme and project execution
- Lead the planning, execution and implementation of the programme and its projects in line with institutional priorities.
- Lead, manage and build the capacity of the programme team, including researchers and state coordinators.
- Ensure timely and high-quality delivery of project outputs and milestones.
Funder engagement, budgets and reporting
- Manage relationships with funders and partners, and lead programme reporting.
- Oversee programme and project budgets, financial planning and compliance.
- Lead the development of new concept notes, proposals, theory of change and budgets to grow the programme.
Project supervision and research quality
- Supervise research design, methodology and analysis across projects.
- Review and finalise reports, policy papers and other outputs.
- Provide technical guidance on industrial energy, boilers, heat pumps, efficiency, GHG emissions and related policy.
High-level engagement, communication and outreach
- Lead high-level engagement and facilitation with central and state governments, regulators, industry and industry associations.
- Design and drive the programme's outreach and communication strategy.
- Represent iFOREST at national and international platforms, and author articles and communication materials.
- Build and leverage relationships to convene roundtables, consultations and report release events.
Additional duties
- Shape the overall strategy for the programme, aligned with institutional priorities, sector-specific issues and ongoing work of other key institutions.
- Identify new pathways, initiatives, and partnerships that contribute to programmatic goals.
- Contribute to the institution's brand building by representing iFOREST on various public platforms.
- Execute any related assignments that may arise in relation to the tasks or for further enhancement of the programme.
Qualification & Work Experience
- A BTech/MTech in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Energy or Environment) or a degree in Policy is required.
- Programme and team management experience in a think tank, consultancy, project management or industry role will be preferred.
- Working experience on industrial energy, GHG emissions, technology, efficiency, and related regulation and policy will be preferred.
- A track record of technical research, publications and presentations will be preferred.
- A minimum of 12 years of relevant work experience is required.
Competencies & Responsibilities
The successful candidate should have the following competencies
- Proven leadership in managing programmes, projects and teams
- Strong technical and policy knowledge of industrial energy, decarbonisation and efficiency
- Experience in funder engagement, budget management and reporting
- Ability to review and finalise technical reports of high quality.
- Strong record of high-level engagement with government, industry and other stakeholders.
- Excellent communication, presentation and representation skills.
Why Choose iFOREST
- Purpose-driven work: Contributing from sub-national to national and global goals.
- Professional development: In areas and sectors that are contemporary and pressing.
- Compensation: We offer a salary that is not only competitive but recognizes and rewards your commitment and talent.
- Inclusive Culture: Benefit from a supportive and diverse work environment.
Remuneration
Competitive salary as per the candidate's experience and proficiency. Final designation of successful candidate will be based on qualification and experience.
Application deadline & instructions
About this role
Posted
3 Nov 2026
Updated
3 Nov 2026
Job type
Full time
Workplace
On-site
Working hours
UTC+05:30
Experience
12+ years
Employeriforest.global
LinkedIniFOREST
About iFOREST
Company Overview
iFOREST (International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology)
New Delhi, India
2019
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.
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