Program Associate

WRI India
Who we are and what we do?

WRI India, an independent charity legally registered as the India Resources Trust, provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. WRI India’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, WRI India puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being.

We are inspired by and associated with World Resources Institute (WRI), a global research organization. Currently over 150 researchers are working with WRI India in our offices at Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

Program Overview for Sustainable Cities and Transport

At WRI India Ross Center we focus on 10 integrated solutions to urban challenges. Through applied research, tools, hands-on advice, and by tapping our network of global experts, we accelerate transformative urban initiatives that have the power to change Indian cities into thriving, equitable and low-carbon places that are good for people and the planet.

Working at WRI India Ross Center offers you the unique opportunity to learn and grow as you collaborate with a diverse set of change agents across Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. As India’s biggest urban focused think and do tank, we seek thoughtful, enterprise-minded and sensitive individuals who can help us support this transformation and make a positive difference to citizens’ everyday lives.

About your role:

You will work with WRI India in supporting Indian cities to enhance public spaces, transport and streets as part of the Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge. Reporting to the Program Manager, you will support close engagement with the city of Jabalpur in preparing comprehensive solutions to help government agencies, civic groups, professionals and other partners to develop and implement projects to enhance wellbeing of young children and their caregivers. This would be achieved through systematic enhancement of public spaces and environment of cities by engaging with them to implement projects; capacity building; data-based decision making; and induce policy, regulatory and institutional changes towards achieving the goal.

The Program Associate will conduct all project related activities in Jabalpur such as surveys and data collection, engage with partner ecosystem, prepare project reports, capacity building, support activation and sustained usage of spaces and institutionalize the solutions in the government agencies. You will be involved in research on multiple topics related to integrated transport including inclusive public spaces, non-motorised and public transport, policies and regulatory provisions related to early childhood development. You will be asked to need to be equally good at conducting workshops, preparing communicating drawings, visualisations, written reports and communication material. You will be asked to work independently and coordinate with team members and partners to achieve the deliverables. You need to be energetic and agile, willing to learn and respond quickly, outcome oriented, team player and available to travel at short notice.

How your day will unfold:
You will be asked to handle a range of program responsibilities. Some of the important responsibilities will include:

Program development and Co-ordination

· Responsible for all daily engagement with the City Government and partners to coordinate towards achieving project goals.
· Coordinate technical documents for the projects including data collection, conduct surveys, compilation, analysis, base maps, design drawings, 3D visualizations, reports, presentations, general graphics and info graphics.
· Lead conducting focused group discussions with Local Government agencies, local community groups, NGOs, experts, private agencies such as Schools, CSR agencies etc. and involve them in program activities.
· Organize capacity building sessions for city officials, service providers and community groups for helping them sustain actions in the long-term.
· Support WRI India in any other research or projects related to urban development related areas.

Communications and partnership
· Schedule meetings regarding projects, make presentations, help conduct partner consultations and workshops.
· Communicate with WRI India internal team members towards meeting goals of the project and constant progress reporting.
· Help prepare internal and external communications and media such as brochures and web content.

Research
· Focus on early childhood development, attention to vulnerable groups, gender and poverty.
· Support development of knowledge products for the program such as training modules, toolkits, guidebooks, capacity building modules, etc.

Skills and Qualifications we seek:

· Post-graduation in Urban Design / Urban Planning.
· 2 to 4 years’ experience in relevant field, with responsibility of all deliverables related to designing of streets, public spaces and related activities. Experience working with government partners or programs will be preferred.
· Passionate about enhancing quality of life of children in Indian cities, good understanding of public spaces and transport, familiar with sustainable development principles, public policies, general awareness of environment and climate change.
· Ability to conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis around public spaces is a requirement.
· Strong design skills, understanding of landscaping, construction materials, specifications and procurement processes would be helpful.
· Proficiency in AutoCAD, Adobe software, 3D visualization, Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is a requirement. Working knowledge of GIS is preferred.
· Strong drawing and presentation skills, ability to present complex information.
· Ability to work individually and with the team and enthusiastically work under pressure situations
· Fluency in Hindi is preferred.

Location: Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

Salary and Benefits:

INR 8,00,000 to INR 9,00,000 CTC. Salary shall be commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package.

Duration: 1 year (Extendable based on performance and project requirements)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) @WRI India

WRI India values and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion across all areas of our work and workforce. Integrating these values into our actions fosters a progressive and collaborative culture and can also enhance our impact. It is our responsibility to create a welcoming working environment for people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experience to learn together. We are responsible for fostering a safe and inclusive workplace where questions, concerns and information about diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our ongoing dialogue and development.
Learn more about WRI India’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Click Here

People-centric to the core:
We keep our people at the centre of everything we do - from a welcoming work environment to benefits and a culture that encourages staff to stay healthy, happy, engaged, and growing.

Some of the non-monetary benefits that our staff get:

Health benefits:

We cover health insurance for you and your loved ones for up to INR 8 lakhs
- Term Insurance: Our term insurance policy covers life coverage of 50 lakhs per staff member
- Employee Assistance program: Promoting mental well-being and supporting staff in achieving a satisfying work-life balance
- Health & Nutrition: Personalized diet recommendation from a certified dietitian based on the physical health condition and lifestyle
- Flexible work schedule: Alternative work arrangements for all who are eligible by nature of their job
- Learning culture: Workshops and trainings to empower staff, encourage new learning opportunities
- Rest and Recharge weeks: We encourage staff to take time off to rest, rejuvenate, upskill, and pursue their interests.
- Our leave policy: Avail personal time off at 36 per year, along with public holidays, maternity, paternity, and adoption leaves.

We believe in equal employment, it is our policy to recruit, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to caste, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual preference, parental status, or disability.