Deputy Director – Boiler and Heat Pump Programme

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

About 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 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

Immediate opening. Position open until filled