Senior Program Manager - Thriving Eco City Regions Project, Sustainable Cities and Transport

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 Manager for the Eco City-Regions (ECR) Project will be based in New Delhi (preferred) or in a WRI India Office locations (in Mumbai or Bangalore) and would provide strategic guidance and technical support to ECR team members and city partners across the geographies where ECR projects are active on need basis. Through their knowledge and work experience in domains of urban planning, environmental engineering and management, climate or hydrogeology/hydrology engineering, you will ensure overall management and guidance to steer the ECR initiative. You will report to Director, Urban Development, WRI India.

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

How your day will unfold:

• Provide strategic input and steering for undertaking interventions under WRI India projects on urban ecology, water sensitive planning, climate resilience and environmental governance & management.
• Perform overall oversight and coordination for smooth execution of the ‘Thriving Eco City-regions’ initiative in close consultation with our teams and multiple other partners across multiple city-regions.
• Support through technical reviews and analysis of existing or upcoming interventions and guide on shaping deliverables under the relevant projects such as review summaries, policy briefs, recommendations, visual analytics, and dashboards.
• Communicate with WRI India internal team members towards meeting goals of the project and constant progress reporting.
• Undertaking and/or supervising primary and secondary research and writing, on-site project activities including convenings, partner dialogues, project implementation, technical reviews and inputs etc.
• Oversee logistical processes and technical design support for deliverables related to planned project activities with all project partners.
• Support in reviewing technical notes, letters and other research or communication outreach materials to with project partners or partners, facilitate government approvals concerning the subject project execution.
• Manage project monitoring and overall activity progress and highlight gaps, delays, if any, to internal or external reporting lines as deemed appropriate. Also, help in developing troubleshooting/ remedial measures to deal with such gaps/ delays.
• Keeping track and oversight of all relevant local financial transactions and disbursal and their reporting following the stipulated WRI India working manual.
• Support in relationship management with donors/ implementation partners/ others for better execution of multiple activities planned under the subject project.
• Organize multiple events or local forums, workshops, conferences based on project need and relevance.
• Help organize and administer technical trainings and capacity building to various partners on multiple government missions such as AMRUT 2.0, Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, and Smart Cities Mission.

Qualifications and Requirements we seek: 

• PhD/Masters/Equivalent Post Graduate degree in climate science/ urban planning/ environmental engineering/ water resources management/ urban ecology/ or related disciplines is desirable.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience with city/ state/ regional planning programs; implementation and management of largescale action research projects related to climate, water sensitive urban planning, urban ecology, environmental governance and management.
• Specialization or work experience demonstrated in climate, ecologically motivated urban planning, and regional water management is preferrable.
• A high-level knowledge of the Indian urban development, climate, and environment paradigms, policies; our trends; innovations and practices related to water resilience 
• Experience using/having knowledge on relevant technological tools and methods such as computational flood modelling or spatial data analysis using remote sensing and GIS tools
• Demonstrated experience in managing implementation projects, quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Have demonstrated experience managing teams or donor partners, partner relationships 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
• Excellent facilitation for overall team coordination
• Ensure highest standards and consistency of work.
• Experience working respectfully in diverse teams and communities.
• Ability to assess situational needs, develop strategies, and implement sustainable solutions.

Salary and Benefits: INR 20,00,000 to INR 24,00,000 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: New Delhi, 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.