Senior Program Manager - Thriving Eco-City Regions

Senior Program Manager - Thriving Eco City Regions

**Who we are and what we do:** World Resources Institute (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 WRI, a global research organization. Currently, over 300 researchers are working with WRI India in our offices in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

**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 location in Mumbai or Bangalore. They would provide strategic guidance and technical support to ECR team members as well as city partners/stakeholders across the currently active geographies on a need basis. Through their knowledge and work experience in domains of urban and regional planning, environmental management, climate-resilient infrastructure, and multi-sectoral integration, the selected candidate will ensure strategic guidance and technical support to steer the ECR initiative. They will report to the Director, Integrated 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.

**How your day will unfold:**

• Provide strategic input and steering in initiatives such as integrated urban and regional planning, urban ecology, climate-resilient infrastructure development, and sustainable mobility.
• Perform overall oversight and coordination and travel as required for smooth execution of the Thriving Eco City regions initiative in close consultation with internal teams and various stakeholders across multiple city regions.
• Support through technical reviews and analysis of existing and upcoming initiatives, guiding the shaping of deliverables, including framework building, reviews, summaries, policy briefs, document preparation and presentations, recommendations, visual analytics, and dashboards.
• Communicate closely with WRI India internal team members towards meeting project objectives and periodic progress reporting.
• Undertake and/or supervise primary and secondary research and writing on-site project activities, including convenings, stakeholder interactions, project implementation, technical reviews, etc.
• Oversee logistical processes and technical design support for deliverables related to planned project activities with all project partners and stakeholders.
• Support in reviewing technical notes, letters, and other research or communication outreach materials as required, further communication with project partners or stakeholders, and facilitate the furthering of project outcomes.
• Supervise project monitoring and overall activity progress, highlighting gaps or delays to reporting lines as appropriate, also assisting in developing troubleshooting and remedial measures for such occurrences.
• Keep track and oversight of all relevant local financial transactions and disbursal, reporting as per the stipulated WRI India working manual.
• Support in relationship management with donors, implementation partners, and others for better execution of various planned activities under the project.
• Organize various events, local forums, workshops, conferences, etc., based on project need and relevance.
• Contribute towards organizing and administering technical trainings and capacity building for stakeholders on various government missions such as AMRUT 2.0, Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, and Smart Cities Mission.

**Qualifications and Requirements we seek:**

• PhD, Masters, or equivalent post-graduate degree in integrated urban and regional planning, regional strategy building, urban design, water resources management, urban ecology, or related disciplines is desirable.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience with state/regional planning initiatives, implementation, and management of large-scale action research projects related to urban and regional planning, water-sensitive urban planning, urban ecology, integrated urban design, etc.
• Sound knowledge of Indian statutory frameworks, policies, current and future trends, innovations, and practices related to urban and regional growth strategies.
• Experience using relevant technological tools and methods such as growth modeling or spatial data analysis using remote sensing and GIS tools is a strong plus.
• Demonstrated experience in managing implementation projects, quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Experience in managing teams, donor partners, stakeholder relationships, and task management.
• Experience in working with Government ministries/departments and other stakeholders such as local academic research institutes, civil society organizations, etc.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills for team coordination.
• Detail-oriented, able to manage multiple priorities, ensure highest standards of ethics and consistency of work.
• Experience working effectively in diverse teams and communities.
• Strong critical thinking capabilities with problem-solving strategies and sustainable solution implementation.

**Salary and Benefits:**

• INR 20,00,000 to INR 24,00,000 CTC. Salary 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, Bangalore, Mumbai, 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 values and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion across all areas of our work and workforce. Integrating these values fosters a progressive and collaborative culture, enhancing our impact. It is our responsibility to create a welcoming working environment for people of diverse backgrounds to learn together.

*Please note: This is a markdown version of the job description posted on the WRI website for the position of Senior Program Manager for Thriving Eco City Regions.*