Program Associate - Urban Designer

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Position Title: Program Associate - Urban Designer
Location: New Delhi
Country: India
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
World Resources Institute (WRI) India is an independent charity legally registered as the India Resources Trust. The organization is dedicated to providing objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. WRI India’s mission is to encourage human society to live in ways that protect the Earth’s environment and its capacity to meet the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. The organization is inspired by and associated with WRI, a global research organization, and currently employs over 300 researchers across its offices in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Job Overview:
The Program Associate for the Eco City-Regions (ECR) Project will be based in New Delhi and will provide technical support to ECR team members as well as city partners and stakeholders across the geographies where ECR projects are currently active. The selected candidate will leverage their knowledge and work experience in water-sensitive planning, urban design, environmental management, and climate resilience to contribute to ongoing and proposed research and implementation efforts under the ECR initiative. The role involves reporting to the Manager of Urban Development at WRI India and requires a commitment to the principles of regenerative development and social well-being for all, as envisioned in the Eco City-regions initiative.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Program Associate include providing design support to WRI India’s initiatives on climate resilience, environmental governance, urban ecology, water-sensitive planning, and landscape design. The associate will coordinate activities for the smooth execution of the ‘Thriving Eco City-regions’ initiative, manage coalitions, platforms, forums, workshops, and conferences as needed, and support the development of conceptual designs, reviews, and analyses of existing and upcoming initiatives. They will also be responsible for shaping deliverables such as layout designs, review summaries, recommendations, reports, visual analytics, and dashboards. The associate will maintain close communication with internal team members to meet project objectives and report on progress, provide technical design support for project deliverables, manage relationships with donors and implementation partners, and contribute to organizing technical trainings and capacity building for stakeholders on various government missions.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate should possess a PhD, Masters, or an equivalent postgraduate degree in water-sensitive urban planning, landscape design, urban design, water resources management, urban ecology, or related disciplines. A minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in city, state, or regional planning initiatives, particularly in managing large-scale action research projects related to climate resilience, water-sensitive urban planning, urban ecology, and environmental governance is required. Specialization or demonstrated work experience in climate resilience and ecologically driven urban planning is preferred. A high-level knowledge of Indian urban development, climate, and environmental policies, as well as current trends and innovations related to water resilience and sponge cities, is essential. Experience with advanced GIS tools and demonstrated experience in designing climate-resilient solutions, managing implementation projects, and conducting quantitative and qualitative data analysis is also necessary.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a PhD, Masters, or an equivalent postgraduate degree in relevant fields such as water-sensitive urban planning, landscape design, urban design, water resources management, or urban ecology. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of urban design and environmental management in the context of climate resilience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience, particularly in city, state, or regional planning initiatives. Candidates should have experience in managing large-scale action research projects related to climate resilience, water-sensitive urban planning, urban ecology, and environmental governance. Experience in working with government ministries, departments, and non-government stakeholders is also important.

Languages:
While the job does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for communication and documentation purposes. Knowledge of local languages may be beneficial for engaging with diverse stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in New Delhi, India, and offers a salary range of INR 8,00,000 to INR 9,00,000 CTC, commensurate with experience and skills. The contract duration is for 2 years, with the possibility of extension based on performance and project requirements. WRI India offers a generous benefits package, including health insurance, term insurance, employee assistance programs, personalized diet recommendations, flexible work schedules, and a supportive leave policy that allows for personal time off, public holidays, and parental leaves. The organization is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a welcoming work environment for individuals from diverse backgrounds.