Job Opportunity for Programme Associate – Power Sector at CEEW in Jaipur

Focus area

Power Markets

Location

Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Duration

Full-time

Reporting to

Programme Lead / Senior Programme Lead

Purpose

At CEEW, we envision a decarbonised electricity sector in India that provides reliable and affordable electricity services to all. To pursue this vision, we undertake interventions that can lead to robust grid planning, flexible supply-side operations, financially sound and efficient power distribution companies and responsive demand from consumers. We generate evidence for change, devise and test solutions, provide implementation support to stakeholders and evaluate the impact of initiatives on the ground.

To advance its power sector engagement in Rajasthan, CEEW seeks to hire a suitable candidate with a strong understanding of the distribution sector, grid planning and operations and hands-on experience in stakeholder engagement (including discoms, electricity regulators, state governments, power procurement entities, and state load dispatch centres). The candidate will be expected to support the team’s research efforts focused on increasing the share of renewables in the grid, optimising power procurement costs, improving billing and collection efficiency, and embracing new technologies (smart meters and energy-efficiency). She/he will work closely with the state energy department, discoms, system operator, regulator and other key stakeholders towards turning research into action.

Job Duties and Accountabilities

Primary responsibilities

• Co-conceptualise and implement research interventions to test strategies that hold potential to improve financial health and operational efficiency of discoms
• Identify renewable energy deployment, integration and offtake issues and opportunities from the state’s perspective to co-conceptualise and execute research that can aid policy, regulatory and market related changes
• Assist in understanding new power market designs, support mechanisms and regulatory interventions demonstrated in emerging and developing countries for enabling high RE shares in the power system
• Conduct various types of analyses using advanced data analytics tools to further the research and programme objectives
• Develop trust-based relationships with key stakeholders, especially with discoms, regulators, system operators, power procurement entity and other research organisations to understand the challenges and opportunities in the state power sector transition, deepen the impact footprint, collect necessary datasets for robust research, and disseminate findings and recommendations to gather regular feedback on the research             
• Share knowledge and findings on various internal and external platforms based on the research and implementation efforts through presentations, memos, short reports, opinion pieces, videos, etc. with support from CEEW’s Outreach team
• Write high-quality research reports and publish in leading peer reviewed journals
• Track key power sector policy developments at the state, national and international level

Selection Criteria

Qualification

• Master’s degree in quantitative economics, statistics, power systems engineering or management, public policy, energy economics or related field
• Any certifications related to power sector regulations and operations would be desirable

Work experience

• At least 3 years of relevant work experience. Candidates with extremely strong quantitative skills with lesser experience may also be considered
• Strong research background, along with an understanding of the electricity distribution, renewables sector, and power procurement practices of discoms
• Track record of team and project management including timely delivery of outputs
• Demonstrable experience in stakeholder engagement at state-level

Key skills

• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills
• Proficiency in MS-Excel is a must. Understanding of STATA/R/Python and other data visualisation tools would be an added advantage
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to summarise and communicate the insights/findings in written and oral formats
• Proficiency in Hindi and English language

If you want to shape the future of power markets in India, this is the place for you!

CEEW operates in a dynamic environment and the candidate will be required to show flexibility in undertaking a variety of tasks.

Compensation

Competitive compensation – commensurate to the experience and matching the best of standards adopted by industry or other similar organisations for similar roles.

Application Process

CEEW is an equal opportunity employer and the selection process does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, or sexuality. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested applicants are advised to apply at the earliest possible.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified by us. We appreciate your interest.