Program Manager – Sustainable Cities

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About the Organization

WRI India provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. 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 World Resources Institute (WRI), a global research organisation. Currently, over 250 researchers are working with WRI India in our offices in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Job Description

As a part of its work in Uttar Pradesh, WRI India is supporting the municipal corporation of Varanasi in improving safety and accessibility metrics of pedestrian mobility in the old city of Kashi. This is being done under the Sustainable Cities Challenge – an initiative that aims to deploy private sector innovation rooted in technology and urban design to solve for accessibility and safety in the old city.

WRI India is looking for an experienced professional to support this effort in Varanasi. The position presents an exciting opportunity to address complex urban issues by integrating private sector innovation in urban administrative processes. Central to this work is building strong relations with the city and state administration and secure participation of the government machinery in deploying, testing and scaling solutions.

Job Responsibilities

The candidate must develop in-depth knowledge of administrative structure and functions at both city and state levels, with a strong understanding of Varanasi's geography.

Must develop a deep understanding and appreciation for the city’s infrastructural, sustainability and governance challenges. Must be well versed with development of projects and investments in the city.

Government Relations:

• Build strong, lasting relations with senior government officials from different departments in the city, district and the state. Socialize the Sustainable Cities Challenge with leading officials from different departments. 
• Organise periodic interactions with important and relevant officials from the city, district and state to provide updates, capture feedback and ensure the objectives of the challenge are at all times aligned with the expectations and priorities of the government.
• Laise with government departments to create an enabling environment to deploy pilots with close coordination with the city and secure commitment and support from relevant officials
• Support WRI India in organizing convening and capacity building workshops with government stakeholders in the city and the state.

Challenge Stakeholder Engagement:

• Work closely with innovators, develop a nuanced understanding of solutions and potential for impact. Support innovators in pilot design based on requirements in the city.
• Represent the government's expectations and opinions to Challenge stakeholders including innovators and other partners
• Identify and develop collaboration opportunities with third party organizations and Civil Society that can potentially add value in pilot execution.
• The candidate will serve as a single point of contract between the government, WRI India, the donor and other Challenge partners.

Education Qualification/Required Skills & Experience

• The candidate must have six to eight years of experience of working on projects that require government partnerships. Prior experience in building strong government relations is a must. 
• A master’s degree in urban planning, public policy, sustainability or a related field. 
• The candidate must be proficient in spoken and written Hindi and English. Other regional languages will be an added advantage. 
• The candidate must be curious, a self-starter, independent, comfortable with ambiguity. Must be able to adhere to deadlines.
• The position is based in Varanasi. Frequent travel to Lucknow will be essential and intermittent travel to Delhi/Mumbai based on requirement. 

For more information please check the Link

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