Job Opportunity for Research Analyst – Power Markets (Lucknow) at CEEW in Lucknow

Designation offered

Research Analyst

Team/ Focus area

Power Markets

Reporting to

Programme Associate

Location

Lucknow, India

Duration

Full-time

Purpose

The Indian power market is evolving rapidly. The increasing share of variable renewable energy in the electricity system requires a flexible grid, financially sound and efficient power distribution companies and demand to serve as a resource. Achieving these outcomes would need dynamic regulations, new business models, innovative financial instruments, and robust institutional frameworks. One key necessity will be efficient, financially healthy and digitalised discoms. To this end, CEEW’s Power Markets team works closely with discoms, regulators, and civil society groups in Indian states to devise and implement strategies to support a consumer-centric discom transformation. We support smart metering initiatives, optimisation of power procurement costs, balanced approaches to ensuring open access, and tariff and subsidy reforms.

CEEW seeks to hire a suitable candidate to assist the Power Markets team in analysing and designing utility transformation initiatives. The candidate in this role will assist fellow researchers in undertaking robust quantitative and qualitative analysis concerning distribution sector reforms and analytically reviewing existing and upcoming regulations, petitions, and regulatory orders. The candidate should have a deep understanding of regulations governing India’s power sector and have a demonstrable experience of engaging with sector stakeholders. In addition to the duties and responsibilities outlined below, the candidate should be prepared, as and when necessary, to take on additional responsibilities and respond to events and developments that cannot be anticipated easily.

CEEW offers an intellectually challenging and conducive work environment, with a focus on research rigour, innovative thinking, and strategic outreach. We are looking for an enthusiastic and detail-oriented individual who would be excited to take research to action. Besides the work on electricity demand, the candidate will be expected to provide data collection and analytical support to the team working towards the power sector transition. We recommend applicants visit the Power Markets page for more details about our projects.

Job Duties and Accountabilities

Research and programme assistance

• Assist the team in different research projects through timely and robust analysis of relevant policy and regulatory apparatus and co-developing innovative ideas for regulatory, institutional and policy reforms
• Regularly track, maintain a record and critically analyse policies and regulations across Indian states pertaining to distribution sector reforms and digitalisation.
• Travel to field sites to conduct fieldwork, including focus group discussions, interviews, etc.
• Use insights from the research to inform policy by making written submissions on draft policies/regulations and participating in physical and virtual stakeholder consultations.
• Assist the team in conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis, writing high-quality research reports, blogs and policy briefs, and preparing presentations whenever required.
• Participate in regular inter- and intra-team meetings for collaborative outputs.

Stakeholder engagement

• Build strong networks of trust with key stakeholders in the sector, including government officials, regulators and civil society organisations.
• Accompany team members for meetings with stakeholders; prepare minutes of the meetings and assist with relevant follow up.

Selection Criteria

Qualification

• A Master’s degree with a specialisation in power, energy, renewables, energy economics, or related fields
• Proficiency in using MS Excel is a must
• Proficiency in any of the statistical software like STATA, R or Python is desirable

Experience

• 1-3 years of relevant work experience in the relevant field
• Candidates with strong research skills but with less sectoral experience may also be considered
• Strong track record of project assistance and timely delivery of outputs

Key skills

• Strong analytical and research skills, particularly quantitative research skills
• Ability to analyse information and present it in a clear and accurate manner, both verbal and written
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to learn new tools to manage, process and drive insights from datasets
• Willingness to show initiative in order to handle unforeseen challenges
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment.
• 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.