Policy Advisor on Energy

International Institute for Sustainable Development

About IISD

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an independent think tank that delivers the knowledge to act. Our mission is to promote human development and environmental sustainability. Our big-picture view allows us to address the root causes of some of the greatest challenges facing our planet today—ecological destruction, social exclusion, unfair laws and economic rules, a changing climate. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa and Toronto, our work affects lives in nearly 100 countries.The position will support IISD’s Energy Program (www.iisd.org/energy), a diverse and dynamic team of more than 40 experts based in the IISD Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, and Toronto offices, as well as remotely in India, Indonesia, South Africa, and other countries supporting governments in clean and just energy transitions.

At an international level, our work program delivers cutting-edge research and practical policy support for energy policy reforms in developed and developing countries, including shifting public financial flows from fossil fuels to clean energy and implementing commitments to go beyond fossil fuels in a socially just way. We work closely with groups such as the Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organization, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization, as well as numerous civil society partners. Our approach is hands-on, through country-level research and outreach in Canada, India, Indonesia, and South Africa, as well as via international forums such as the G7, G20, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and Sustainable Development Goals.

About The Position

IISD Energy is looking to recruit a Policy Advisor for its in-country India program. This role will focus, in particular, on quantitative analysis by creating and updating policy-relevant datasets, including but not limited to government support measures nationally and subnationally, developing levelized cost of energy estimates, supporting system dynamics energy models, and cost–benefit analysis. It will also support a work program that aims to undertake research on and engage with state-owned enterprises in accelerating the energy transition.The successful applicant will work on data collection and analysis related to fossil fuels, clean energy (including renewable power and electric vehicles), energy businesses, and other energy policies. They will consolidate insights from both quantitative and qualitative analysis to write high-quality short contributions to detailed policy research reports.

The Policy Advisor will also be actively involved in other country and international projects and will be expected to collaborate and network with other researchers and civil society organizations in India and internationally.The candidate should be an effective networker and quick learner, keen on sustainable development, and skilled at conveying qualitative and quantitative research findings on energy transition in ways that speak to the needs of policy-makers and energy institutions. This role would involve setting up and conducting consultations with external stakeholders, linking the research activities and findings of colleagues to formal policy processes, identifying and establishing collaboration and partnerships, and assisting in managing stakeholder relationships. They will lead the organization of events run by IISD and its partners.Key areas of responsibility will include but not be limited to:

• Analyzing large government data sets to identify, quantify, and contribute to IISD’s databases on India’s energy subsidies for fossil fuels and clean energy (for example, identifying different forms of government support to energy like direct budgetary transfers, tax expenditures, price regulations, public finance, state-owned enterprise investments, and other forms of support).
• Support energy modelling exercises through the Green Economy Model.
• Support a work program to undertake research on and engage with major state-owned enterprises in accelerating the energy transition in emerging economies.
• Representing IISD and building IISD’s networks among the policy community in India through engagement and outreach, including briefing notes, meetings, interviews, events, webinars, and outreach through traditional and social media.
• Establishing and strengthening IISD’s relationships with various national and state government officials, public enterprises, and legislative and industrial bodies.
• Contributing to the management of research projects and relationships with partners and policy stakeholders.
• Supporting qualitative and quantitative research on the economic, social, health, and environmental impacts of existing and proposed policies (subsidies, taxes, regulations, and others) related to fossil fuels, renewable energy, and electric vehicles in the form of reports, articles, policy briefs, and blogs.
• Contributing to strategy planning and the design of engagement, research, and communications activities, including through contributions to proposals for fundraising and collaboration with IISD’s communications and design teams.
• Tracking developments in India’s energy policies by collecting, reviewing, and logging information.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Qualifications

• A minimum of a master’s degree in energy, economics, social science, politics, or environment or a relevant interdisciplinary program or equivalent. Candidates without a master’s degree may apply but should be able to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge through direct professional experience.
• Indian nationality; Indian residence or work permit is required.

Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in energy policy at a national or an international level in one or several of the following areas: energy policy research, climate and energy finance, and statistics.
• Prior experience working with national ministries, state governments, state-owned enterprises, power departments, utilities, regulators, or other stakeholders is an advantage.

Technical skills

• Knowledge or experience in quantitative research methods for policy analysis with sharp attention to detail. The successful candidate will be an advanced user of Excel and Google Sheets (e.g., pivot tables, conditional formatting, macros).
• Experience with data analysis tools is desirable. These tools could include systematic review, web scraping, and Power BI.
• Familiarity with energy modelling, like least-cost optimization modelling, will be considered an advantage.
• Data-savvy, demonstrated analytical skills, and ability to think critically and learn fast. Strong attention to detail, including the ability to conduct quality control checks of one’s own work.
• An understanding of relevant ministries and departments related to energy, like power, petroleum, coal, and renewable energy, both nationally and at the state level.

Core Competencies

• Familiarity with sustainable development, as well as policy theory and the current agenda on climate and energy.
• Ability to produce analysis and writing that is “publication-ready” with a limited degree of oversight and editing.
• A “can-do” work attitude and the ability to work both independently and within teams, managing the workload and producing deliverables on time and on budget. The ability to work under pressure and meet deliverables under competing timelines.
• A strong team worker with the ability to work comfortably across different cultures and be inclusive and positive with different colleagues.
• Confidence in working collaboratively with IISD staff, affiliates, partners, and consultants.
• An entrepreneurial approach to work, taking initiative within the team, and ready to develop new skills, increase responsibility, and build experience in fundraising.
• Excellent organizational, presentation, and planning skills.
• Results-focused, with an ability to prioritize and work quickly and accurately over a range of tasks.
• Availability to travel nationally on a regular basis and potentially internationally, as required.
• Excellent oral and written English skills.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office/Teams applications and experience in handling web-based communications and management systems.

It is not required but would be considered advantageous if candidates can demonstrate:

• Previous experience supporting or working for state-owned enterprises on the energy transition.
• Quantitative research methods, such as dataset management, subsidy estimation, household surveys, economic modelling, poverty and social impact assessments, impact analysis, use of statistical software such as R or STATA, and project financing models.
• Qualitative research methods, such as stakeholder mapping, political economy analysis, the design of questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, and methods for structuring and facilitating discussions among different ministries or non-government stakeholders
• Strong existing professional networks on energy and/or policy in India.
• Prior experience engaging with state and central government officials on energy, environment, and climate change issues.
• Practical knowledge of approaches to major economic reforms, including political economy aspects, social protection/safety net reform for lower-income groups, complementary policies, structural adjustment for industries, and just transition

Location:

Remote anywhere in India, with a preference for Delhi. Candidates should be comfortable with regular travel to support engagement activities.Salary: Salary commensurate with experience and locationType of Employment: 100% full-time-equivalent staff position under an Employment of Record model. Full-time with a six-month probation period. This is a 2-year contractual position with a possibility of extension subject to funding.

Start date: January 1, 2025

Application deadline: September 30, 2024 at 4 PM CST

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for locations where they expect to be based without any sponsorship from IISD.

• A CV (no longer than two pages)
• A one-page letter of motivation
• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional)

Only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted. Resumes will be kept on file for 1 year. IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+, to apply for this position. Preference will be given to the equity-deserving groups during the hiring process. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants’ advice on how best to accommodate their needs. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire on our applicant tracking system when you apply.

IISD does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, colour, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.