Job description
The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST), is looking for a motivated and dynamic professional to support the organisation's research and engagement on decarbonising industrial heat in boiler-based industries and MSMEs, and to coordinate its programme activities in West Bengal.
A successful applicant must have a proven aptitude for technical research, industry surveys and report writing, and good communication skills with industry and government. The candidate should ideally have working experience on energy, GHG emissions and techno-economics, and knowledge of industries/MSMEs, boilers, heat pumps, energy efficiency, energy audits and related policies. Candidates based in Kolkata with knowledge of Bengali will be preferred.
Location: Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Required Experience: 4+ 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 Programme Associate - West Bengal Coordinator will be responsible for the execution of research and engagement outputs on industrial heat decarbonisation across boiler-based industries and MSMEs in West Bengal. This would entail research and analysis, industry surveys, technical writing and engagement with industry and government, while acting as the programme's on-ground coordinator in West Bengal, with the support of a dedicated team. In addition, they would also be expected to identify new areas of work to support institutional goals.
Specific tasks to be undertaken are:
Research and analysis
- Contribute to designing research assignments, including methodology and specific activities and tasks.
- Conduct research and analysis on energy use, technology, techno-economics, GHG emissions and pollution in boiler-based industries and MSMEs.
- Assess options such as energy efficiency, industrial heat pumps and cleaner fuels/technologies for process heat.
- Stay abreast with the latest developments, technologies and policies in the sector.
Industry surveys and data collection
- Plan and conduct industry surveys, plant visits, energy assessments and primary data collection in industrial clusters across West Bengal.
- Manage, clean and analyse datasets from field and secondary sources.
Technical report writing and presentations
- Write technical reports, policy papers and briefs based on evidence.
- Prepare and deliver presentations for industry, government and other stakeholders.
Engagement with industry and government in West Bengal
- Act as iFOREST's point of contact for the programme in West Bengal, coordinating closely with the Noida-based team.
- Build relationships with industries, MSME clusters, industry associations and state government departments and agencies in West Bengal.
- Facilitate access to industrial units for site visits and data collection.
- Organise and support state-level consultations, workshops and report release events.
Additional duties
- Support development of new concept notes, proposals and budgets for projects/interventions that further institutional objectives.
- Identify new areas of work and opportunities 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 is a must, preferably in Mechanical, Civil, Energy or Environment.
- Working experience on energy, GHG emissions and techno-economics will be preferred.
- Knowledge of industries/MSMEs, boilers, heat pumps, energy efficiency, energy audits and related policies will be preferred.
- Experience in research, technical writing and presentation, with a track record of technical research, policy papers and presentations, will be preferred.
- Candidates based in West Bengal (Kolkata) with knowledge of Bengali will be preferred.
- A minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience in industrial research, advisory, or consulting is required.
Competencies & Responsibilities
The successful candidate should have the following competencies:
- Strong technical knowledge of industrial operations, boilers, process heat and energy
- Strong quantitative skills, with ability to work with large datasets.
- Ability to undertake technical research, analysis, and surveys.
- Ability to prepare technical reports of high quality.
- Experience of engagement with industry partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Good communication skills in English and Bengali
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
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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