Senior Program Associate - Eco City Regions, Tamil Nadu

Senior Program Associate - Eco City Regions, Tamil Nadu

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 250 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:

The Senior Associate – Ecocity Coordinator (Tamil Nadu) will be based in Chennai. As part of their role, they will provide technical support related to urban development and climate in Tamil Nadu. You will work under the management of the Program Manager- Urban Development within WRI India. ‘Thriving Eco City-Regions’ initiative was launched in Jan 2023 to support five city regions along the continuum of regenerative growth. The Eco City-region initiative is aimed to reimagine Indian City-Regions through an approach that leads to both ecologically sensitive development (development integrating conservation, sustainable management, and restoration of ecosystem) and economic development while being climate resilient, inclusive and thriving.

How your day will unfold:

• Support daily coordination for execution of the ‘Thriving Eco City-regions’ research initiative in close consultation with WRI India and several other partners in Tamil Nadu towards creation of frameworks and strategies for peri-urban development and climate risk reduction and adaptation.
• Coordinate with the local authorities and departments for completing multiple activities planned under the subject research initiative.
• Undertaking or supervising on-site project activities such as collection and management of primary and secondary data
• Assisting with logistical processes and technical design support for deliverables related to planned project activities with all project partners and partners.
• Support in preparing detailed technical reviews and analysis of existing or upcoming planning and policy instruments and generating deliverables such as review summaries, policy briefs, recommendations, visual analytics.
• Help organize meetings/ consultations with multiple partners across relevant departments, technical experts, civil society groups, media
• Support in drafting and translating technical notes, letters and other research or communication outreach materials to initiate communication with project partners or partners, seek department approvals concerning the subject project execution.
• Help monitor local activity progresses and highlight gaps, delays, if any, to internal or external reporting line as deemed appropriate. Also, help develop troubleshooting/ remedial measures to deal with such local gaps/ delays.
• Keeping track and oversight of all relevant local financial transactions and disbursal and their reporting following the stipulated WRI India working manual.
• Help develop relevant local deliverables by the concerned partners or local departments and agencies from time to time.
• Provide technical support to the larger project activities including reviews, assessment, analysis and presentation of findings to local partners.
• Daily coordination with local or regional authorities/departments (and any other relevant partners) and relationship management for better execution of multiple activities planned under the subject project.
• Organize multiple events or local forum convenings, workshops, conferences based on project need and relevance.
• Help organize and administer technical trainings and capacity building to several partners on existing government missions such as AMRUT 2.0, Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission and Smart Cities Mission.

Qualifications and Requirements we seek:

• Master’s degree in urban design/ urban planning/environmental governance/ urban ecology/landscape architecture or a related relevant discipline is desirable.
• 4 to 7 years of relevant work experience in urban or regional planning with focus on ecology/environmental management/climate.
• Relevant experience of working with state/regional planning programs; implementation and management largescale action research projects related to one/more of the following fields including urban design, urban ecology, environmental governance, climate change adaptation, ecologically sensitive urban design implementation.
• Fluency in Tamil and English following local requirements.
• Have demonstrated experience in coordination, partner relationship management and task management.
• Have experience working with the Government/ ministries/ departments and other non-government partners such as local academic/ research institutes, civil society organizations
• Working knowledge of urban design, public policy and planning process, Government procedures and guidelines at city and regional scale.
• Experience of primary and secondary data collection, collation, coding and research analysis.
• Ensure highest standards and consistency of work.
• Demonstrated experience conducting trainings and capacity building.
• Excellent facilitation
• Experience working respectfully in diverse teams and communities.
• An ability to assess situational needs, develop strategies, and implement sustainable solutions.

Salary and Benefits: INR 11,00,000 to INR 13,00,000 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)

Location: Chennai India

Start Date: At the earliest

List of Documents to be attached:

• Cover Letter (outlining your interest and suitability for the position)
• Resume

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.

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.

Click here to know more about our benefits Careers | WRI INDIA (wri-india.org)

Equal employment @WRI India

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.