Senior Program Associate- Thriving Eco City-regions

About us

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. 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.

Know more: https://wri-india.org/

Program Overview

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.

Job Highlight

You will be based in New Delhi and would provide technical support to ECR team members as well as city partners/ stakeholders across the geographies where ECR projects are currently active on need basis. Through their knowledge and work experience in domains of water sensitive planning, landscape design, environmental management, and climate resilience, the selected candidate will contribute towards current and proposed implementation and research efforts under ECR initiative. They will report to Senior Manager, Urban Development, WRI India.

'Eco City-regions are envisioned as ecologically resilient and economically productive regions, that uphold the principles of regenerative development and social well-being for all.'

What you will do

• Provide technical support to WRI India's initiatives on Nature based solutions (NbS)/ water sensitive planning/ landscape design/environmental management/ urban ecology and biodiversity.
• Provide technical and design support for deliverables related to planned project activities with project partners and relevant stakeholders. This includes undertaking and/or supervising design layouts, analysis and reviews for NbS and related domains, primary and secondary research and writing, support on on-site project activities and coordination, support execution of convenings, stakeholder dialogues, project implementation, technical reviews and inputs etc.
• Support coordination as required for smooth execution of the 'Thriving Eco City-regions' initiative in close consultation with internal teams and various other stakeholders across multiple city-regions.
• Organize and manage activities towards running coalitions/platforms/forums/ workshops/ and conferences based on project need and relevance.
• Support through technical reviews and analysis of existing and/or upcoming initiatives and contribute towards shaping deliverables under the relevant projects such as layout designs, review summaries, recommendations, reports, visual analytics, and dashboards.
• Communicate closely with WRI India internal team members towards meeting objectives of the project and constant progress reporting.
• Support in relationship management with donors/ implementation partners/ others as needed for better execution of various activities planned under the subject project.
• Contribute towards organizing and administering technical training and capacity building workshops to various stakeholders on various government missions such as AMRUT 2.0, Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, and Smart Cities Mission.

What you will need

• PhD/Masters/Equivalent Post Graduate degree in water sensitive urban design/ landscape architecture / urban ecology/ environmental management or related disciplines is desirable.
• 4 to 7 years of relevant work experience with city/ state/ regional planning initiatives on designing and implementation of on-ground projects related to climate resilience, water sensitive urban planning, urban ecology and biodiversity, environmental management, etc.
• Specialization or work experience demonstrated in the areas of climate resilience, ecologically driven urban planning, technical skills in designing projects/plans in alignment with Nature based solutions, managing implementation projects, quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• A high-level knowledge of the Indian urban development, climate, and environment paradigms and planning design; current and future trends; innovations and practices related to water resilience and sponge cities.
• Research and design experience using relevant tools and methods for network analysis, integrated modelling solutions for catchments, strategies for ensuring sustainable water systems at the watershed and neighborhood levels will be preferred. Knowledge of advanced GIS tools is a strong plus.
• Should have demonstrated experience in managing teams and/or stakeholder relationships and task management.
• Should have experience in working with the Government/ministries/ departments and other non-government stakeholders such as local academic/ research institutes, civil society organizations etc.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills for overall team coordination
• Detail oriented, able to manage multiple priorities, ensure highest standards of ethics and consistency of work.
• Experience in working effectively and respectfully in diverse teams and communities.
• Strong critical thinking capabilities with an ability to rapidly assess situational needs, develop problem solving strategies, and implement sustainable solutions.

Salary and Benefits: INR 14,00,000 to INR 18,00,000 Per Annum

Salary shall be commensurate with experience and skills. WRI India offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package.

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

To Apply: Only Qualified applicants should apply online at Search for Jobs All applications must be submitted online through this career portal to be formally considered. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purposes.

Documents to be attached: Resume & Cover letter. Work Samples and Design portfolio may be requested.

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 center 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 orientation, parental status, or disability.

Skills Required
urban ecology , Landscape Design, biodiversity, Environmental Management