Reference code: CE/GJ-11/26

About the Role

iFOREST is seeking a senior professional to lead its Green Jobs and Skilling workstream within the Just Transition programme. The Programme Lead will build India’s evidence base on green jobs and help central and state governments turn it into policies, labour market information systems and skilling strategies.

The Programme Lead will be responsible for the institution’s engagement and programme delivery at the national and state levels, and will work closely with the Director, Just Transition.

Key Responsibilities

- Programme Strategy and Leadership

- Lead the Green Jobs and Skilling workstream, including setting its annual priorities and workplan in consultation with the Programme Director.
- Lead programme delivery in focus states, alongside national-level engagement, ensuring high-quality and timely delivery.
- Build strategic partnerships with government agencies, industry, skilling institutions, and development organisations.
- Identify emerging policy and implementation priorities and new areas of work and develop proposals and identify partnership opportunities as per the scope of the programme.

- Research

- Lead the research on green jobs skilling, including finalisation of research methodology, analytical framework, development of reports/policy briefs and other technical documents, review and publication.
- Undertake and guide green jobs forecasting at the national and state levels across clean energy, sustainable industry, and various environmental sectors.
- Undertake and guide skill gap assessments, and workforce demand-supply analysis, using official datasets such as PLFS and ASI alongside primary data.
- Develop policies, strategies and implementation frameworks for skilling, reskilling and upskilling of workers in transition sectors, youth and women, aligned to India’s energy transition and sustainable development pathways.
- Develop actionable recommendations for government and industry, through necessary stakeholder consultations.
- Identify emerging research areas and strengthen the programme’s knowledge agenda to support outcomes on green jobs and skilling.

- Government and Stakeholder Engagement

- Work with state governments on labour market information systems (LMIS) for green jobs, green skilling policy, and coordination with industry.
- Support national engagement with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, NSDC, Sector Skill Councils, and other central agencies on green jobs skilling, and entrepreneurship.
- Conduct high-level meetings, deliver presentations, and design and facilitate events, report launches, roundtables, and policy engagement meetings.
- Lead high-visibility, high-impact events involving various stakeholders to advance the green jobs agenda at the national and state levels.
- Partner with skill universities,



and training institutions to support the strengthening of green skills curricula: aligning programmes with projected employment demand in various sector and industry requirements.
- Build and leverage networks with government bodies, industry and industry associations, skilling agencies, and civil society organisations.
- Represent iFOREST’s perspectives in key policy forums and public platforms.

- Team Management and Mentoring

- Lead and mentor the Green Jobs team, including staff based in focus states, setting clear priorities and responsibilities for each team member.
- Provide day-to-day technical guidance on research design, analysis and writing, and support the professional growth of team members.
- Oversee the quality and rigour of research and knowledge outputs, ensuring consistency with iFOREST’s institutional quality standards.
- Ensure timely delivery of the workstream’s projects, outputs and stakeholder engagements against agreed milestones.

Education and Qualifications

- Minimum Master’s degree in Economics or Public Policy, or a closely related discipline. Specialisation in Labour Economics or Development Economics is preferred.
- Candidates with other combinations of education and strong, demonstrated expertise in labour markets and skilling may also be considered.

Experience

- 10 to 12 years of relevant professional experience.
- A proven record of policy engagement with central or state governments is essential.
- Experience in labour market analysis, employment and jobs trends, and skilling ecosystem assessments is required.
- Engagement experience with government agencies, industry, and other concerned stakeholders in the area of work.
- Experience designing and managing large-scale surveys or primary data collection.
- Experience working with or alongside the skilling ecosystem (for example MSDE, NSDC, Sector Skill Councils, state skill development missions, or industry) is highly preferred.
- Experience leading teams and authoring flagship reports or policy publications.

Skills and Competencies

- Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, including working with large datasets and statistical software (such as Stata, R or Python).
- Strong understanding of India’s skilling ecosystem, labour market institutions, and government decision-making processes.
- Ability to turn complex analysis into clear, actionable recommendations for senior officials and industry leaders.
- Excellent report writing, presentation, and communication skills.
- Strong stakeholder engagement,



communication, and relationship-management skills.
- Strong programme and project management capabilities, ownership, and the ability to work independently.

Location and Commitment

- Noida, India (on-site), with regular travel to Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
- Full-time.

About iFOREST

The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST) is an independent, nonprofit research and innovation organisation dedicated to driving India’s transition towards an economically prosperous, environmentally sustainable, and socially just future. The organisation’s work is rooted in rigorous research, stakeholder engagement, and developing innovative solutions to shape subnational, national, and global agendas.

Enabling and supporting a Just Transition to Net Zero is a core initiative of the organisation. Its focus areas include just transition planning for coal-dependent regions, repurposing and economic diversification of mining areas, socio-economic research with affected workers and communities, and green jobs and skilling for India’s energy transition.

Why Choose iFOREST

- Purpose-driven work: Shape how India manages one of the largest economic and energy transitions in the world, from districts and states to national and global policy.
- Real policy reach: Work directly with central and state governments, public sector enterprises, industry and development partners on decisions that affect millions of workers and communities.
- Professional development: Work on contemporary and critical issues alongside experienced researchers and practitioners.
- Competitive compensation: We recognise and reward commitment and talent.
- Inclusive culture: A supportive, diverse, and empowering work environment.

Remuneration

- Market-competitive salary based on experience and proficiency.

Application Instructions

- Immediate opening: Position open until filled.
- Application submission: Please apply online at iFOREST Careers (https://iforest.global/careers/) or via LinkedIn. If you encounter any issues, you may send your application to [email protected]. Please mention reference code (JT/NCR-05-05/26) in the subject line.
- Please include a short cover letter (no more than 500 words) along with your application.
- Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Published

Nov 10, 2026

You may also apply by writing to [email protected] with the position and
reference code in subject line.

Why Choose iFOREST

- Purpose-driven work: Contribute from regional to national and global goals in
sustainability.
- Professional development: Work in areas that address contemporary and critical issues.
- Competitive compensation: We recognize and reward commitment and talent.
- Inclusive culture: Experience a supportive, diverse, and empowering work environment.

📌 Programme Lead – Green Jobs (Noida)
🏢 iForest - International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology
📍 Noida