Job Opportunity for Programme Associate (Air Quality) at CEEW in Lucknow

Designation: 

Programme Associate (Air Quality)

Team:

Air Quality

Job Location: 

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Reporting to: 

Programme Lead

Purpose: 

We are looking for a strong emerging leader at the Programme Associate level for our Lucknow office who has the ability to conduct stellar research on urban air quality and its management, build trusted relationships with government stakeholders and on ground local civil society organisations, and support the advancement of the research and policy engagement for air quality. S/he should also be an effective mentor and role-model for the junior members of the team with the ability to guide, train and provide direction to the team members across technical and people management aspects.

About the focus area:

The Clean Air programme at CEEW is committed to reducing particulate concentrations in the Indo-Gangetic plain by 60  percent by 2030.  Backed by rigorous data analysis,  integrated research and strategic communications and stakeholder engagement,  our work is geared towards strengthening data-driven air quality management in the country.. Our Clean Air teams  by:

1) Plugging critical data and information gaps, 

2) Building technical  capacity of institutions, and 

3) Equipping citizens with information that can transform them into agents of change.   

Job Duties and Accountabilities

Early leadership responsibilities 

• To be the point person in the AQ team, to build strong trusted relationships with government stakeholders, community and civic society groups for socialisation and uptake of research findings, as part of the CABH programme
• To be an effective youth mentor and guide for the junior members of the team
• To be a “voice” of CEEW, actively speaking across engagements on clean air issues, in close collaboration with the Team Lead and the outreach team
• Support team lead to prepare for important meetings and sessions, prepare notes, and conduct follow-ups, as required
• To take “leadership by initiative” and be responsible for institutional responsibilities, as assigned from time to time 

Project/programme assistance

• To design and deliver on relevant research pieces that can strengthen air quality management in India
• To be on top of emerging research on air quality management in India, with a particular focus on implementation of India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
• To track policy and regulatory developments that have implications for India’s air quality
• End-to-end management of our engagement in Uttar Pradesh including responsibility allocation to team members,  internal review of content delivered by teammates and ensuring timely delivery of outputs.
• To engage with city and state nodal agencies to understand their research requirements
• To track activities being performed by Pollution Control Board and city administration towards air pollution mitigation
• To develop relationship with Civil Society Groups, Resident Welfare Associations, city-based youth networks to develop a neighbourhood level understanding of air pollution challenges in cities of Uttar Pradesh
• To assist the team to work on multi-disciplinary projects, proposal writing and project development
• Assist with project implementation, including help with preparing presentations and policy material

Selection Criteria

Education

• Master’s degree with a specialisation in Environmental Science/Environmental Policy/Urban Planning
• Familiarity with environmental and in particular air pollution and urban governance in the country

Experience

• 4-6 years of relevant work experience
• Prior experience of managing state-wide implementation of public sector schemes

Main skills 

• Knowledge and passion for air quality and management in India
• Experience in navigating and establishing trusted relationships with government stakeholders and local civic groups
• Strong analytic skills including quantitative research skills
• Excellent written and presentation skills
• Experience in leading  stakeholder meeting and convenings

Personality

• Willingness to learn new (research and project management) skills
• Ability to adapt to new environment and deliver under tight deadlines in a professional environment
• Striving for rigour in research and quality in work output
• Ability to effectively work in a team while being able to independently drive research with minimum assistance, when time demands.
• Ability to dig deeper into details, while also keeping a sense of the broader objectives and big picture
• Willingness to learn, grow and develop at personal and professional front, at a rapid pace with a steep learning curve
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment