Programme Associate – Engagement & Outreach (Odisha) 

The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST), is looking for a dynamic professional to support the organisation’s engagement and outreach activities in Odisha. 

The candidate will play a critical role in developing and implementing outreach strategies that enhance the organization’s public presence and foster engagement. This role involves building strong relationships with key stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, funders, media, and the general public. Thus, a successful applicant must have a proven aptitude for stakeholder engagement, as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills.  

The candidate must clearly understand and appreciate the role played by think tanks in shaping public policy and supporting their implementation. 

Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha 

Type: On-premise 

Required Experience: 4-5 years 

Education: Master’s Degree (Required) 

Reporting to: Regional Director  

iFOREST 

iFOREST is an independent not-for-profit research and innovation organisation that was established in 2019 to identify, promote and scale up solutions for pressing environment-development challenges in India and other developing countries in Asia and Africa. 

Our work is rooted in regional priorities to accelerate environmental actions at the sub-national level and to improve national policies and plans to support it. Our mission is to address the unique needs of regions by leveraging our resources and expertise to scale up national action and make a global impact. We use our regional knowledge to inform national policy and plans and strengthen international collaboration. 

To achieve our goals, we conduct independent evidence-based research, develop new knowledge and innovative solutions, convene stakeholders to increase awareness and build consensus, and partner with think tanks, civil society, government agencies, philanthropies and industry to scale up solutions. 

The strategic focus of our work in Odisha is to enhance the contribution of renewable energy in the state’s energy mix, ensure just energy transition for the state that enables green growth and green jobs, support integrated heating and cooling planning, and address local pollution challenge. 

The Role 

The engagement and outreach lead will be responsible for the complete set of activities for engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including the government, industry, civil society organisations and other relevant expert groups. This would entail designing, organising and conducting roundtables, workshops, conferences and one-on-one meetings. In addition, they will also be required to support the conceptualisation and execution of communication strategy. 

Specific tasks to be undertaken by the engagement and outreach lead would include:  

Support stakeholder engagement & relationship management: 

  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of external stakeholders. 
  • Nurture relationships and act as a primary point of contact for outreach activities, responding to inquiries and facilitating connections between internal teams and external partners. 

Outreach strategy & execution: 

  • Assist in designing and implementing outreach strategies to amplify the impact of the organization’s research, publications, and events. 
  • Support the development of stakeholder mapping and engagement plans for priority areas of research. 

Event planning & coordination: 

  • Support the planning and execution of events such as conferences, panel discussions, workshops, and webinars etc. 
  • Coordinate logistics for events, including venue management, speaker coordination, and post-event follow-up. 
  • Ensure strategic alignment of event content with organizational objectives and target audiences. 

Content creation & communication: 

  • Assist in the preparation of outreach materials, including presentations, briefing notes, and summaries. 
  • Collaborate with the central communications team to produce content for websites, social media, and other public platforms. 

Media relations & public engagement: 

  • Identify opportunities for media engagement to promote research findings and organizational initiatives. 
  • Draft press releases, media advisories, and op-eds, and liaise with journalists to secure coverage. 
  • Manage social media campaigns, working closely with the communications team to broaden the organization’s digital footprint. 

Qualification & Work Experience 

Master’s degree (minimum) from a recognised institution in a relevant field, including communications, public policy, english, management etc. 

4 to 5 years of work experience in stakeholder engagement, communications, or public affairs, ideally within the non-profit, research, or policy sectors. 

Required competencies 

In line with the listed responsibilities, the engagement and outreach lead is expected to have the following competencies: 

  • Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to craft clear and compelling messages for diverse audiences. 
  • Experience in planning and executing events, with a track record of managing multiple projects simultaneously. 
  • Proficiency in social media management and digital communication tools. 
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. 
  • Knowledge of relevant policy areas (green energy, climate change, environment etc.) is desirable. 
  • Detail-oriented approach with strong organizational skills. 
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. 
  • Adaptability and willingness to take on new challenges. 
  • Willingness to travel as per requirement. 

What we offer 

At iFOREST, we offer an inclusive and amicable work environment. In addition, our institution strongly supports professional development through education, training and capacity building.  

Remuneration 

We offer highly competitive salaries in a think tank space, and reward performance through annual appraisals. The final designation of a successful candidate will be based on qualifications and experience. 

Application instructions & deadline 

We prefer that candidates submit online applications at https://iforest.global/careers/. In case of any difficulties, you may also send your application to carreers@iforest.global. 

Applications must include a CV and cover letter. Please ensure that the cover letter is no more than 500 words and clearly describes your suitability for the described position and your motivation to join iFOREST. CVs without a cover letter will not be considered.   

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Position open until filled. 

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