Lead Advisor - Economics - NGO

Lead Advisor, Economics

Organization: A CLIENT OF THIRD SECTOR PARTNERS

Job Title: LEAD ADVISOR, ECONOMICS

Reports to: CHIEF ADVISOR, INDIA

Location: DELHI

Introduction:

The organisation is fast-paced environmental non-profit with a growing staff of more than 850 people in nearly 30 countries. The organisation deliver's game-changing solutions that cut climate pollution and strengthen people's ability to thrive despite the effects climate change is already having. They work wherever they can have the most impact, from local communities to top companies to governments worldwide, and even in space.

Program Overview:

Leveraging the organisation's unique combination of scientific, economic and policy advisory expertise, their focus in India will be to build a constituency of business and state champions as they support an Indian pathway to shared, sustainable prosperity. Their work will be to establish the viability of sustainable livelihoods at scale (in agriculture, fisheries and forestry), demonstrate the potential of market forces (both capital & emissions markets) to incentivize climate action, establish the potential for shareholder value creation through responsible business and, lastly, to advance climate science and technology in India.

The Lead Advisor, Economics will be part of the organisation's India Region team and will report to the Chief Advisor, India. This role will work closely with the economics team members across the world, helping to ensure that the economic thinking that is the backbone for all their policy positions is imparted and supported to all its work areas in India based on the best available knowledge.

Overall Function:

The Lead Advisor, Economics is an experienced economist and researcher, with a deep understanding of the political economy, industrial and policy landscape of India. This position is created to expand the organisation's capacity in designing, conducting, and disseminating rigorous economic policy analysis as well as in the evaluation of economic studies particularly to support the development of well-functioning and equitable carbon markets. Economic studies are crucially important in climate, energy, and environmental debates and decision making, and as powerful tools in environmental and climate policy advocacy.

The main objectives of the Lead Advisor, Economics are to:

- Contribute to development of the organisation's strategies in India, ensuring that they benefit from rigorous economic thinking.

- Provide high quality economic analysis to support the organisation's strategies in India either directly or through supporting use of external consultants or researchers.

- Provide peer review for use of economics within the organisation or by the organisation's partners to ensure high quality of work and appropriate interpretation

- Lead on development of carbon markets in India - from strategy development to informing policy design and supporting the creation of the enabling infrastructure

- Build a broad network of partners and support the partners in building their own analytic capacities in environmental, climate (adaptation or mitigation), energy and/or incomes & livelihoods topics by participating in and leading collaborative projects, and by organizing and providing training.

- Organize and facilitate discussions of energy, environmental, and climate economic techniques, practices, and insights for internal and external users of economics research and among experts.

- The area of responsibility of the Lead Advisor, Economics is applied theoretical or quantitative analysis and research in environmental, climate (adaptation or mitigation), and energy topics.

- The Lead Advisor, Economics should thoroughly understand both the mainstream and cutting-edge world-class economic techniques applied to climate change and energy issues and be able to communicate the results of these analyses to other staff and stakeholders.

- A critical part of the role is an understanding of policies and practices, and how to construct narratives that is accurate, strategic and compelling to different stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead and produce economic analysis and research in environmental, climate (adaptation or mitigation), and energy topics which will essentially integrate socio-economic, corporate and policy aspects of Indian landscape.

- Facilitate, take part in, or lead collaborative work with partners in the areas of economic research and education in environmental, climate (adaptation or mitigation), and energy topics;

- Organize and lead economics-focused discussions with industry experts, policy makers, and other researchers and scientists.

- Build and lead the future economics and/or related team in India.

- Develop strategies for the India team on workstreams related to climate (adaptation or mitigation), and energy topics, set up work plan and facilitate implementation.

- Establish and develop connections between the organisation and the international academic and research community, public, and other organizations in the field of economic analysis of energy, environment, and climate change issues

- Contribute to economics capacity building at the organisation by allocating a portion of time to staying updated with networks, sharing work externally, participating in conferences, and developing new ideas for potential economic areas of work.

- Supervise and mentor theb staff.

- Participate in advancing DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with the organisation's values

Note: The roles and responsibilities outlined above are not meant to be an exhaustive list of tasks. The need for flexibility is required and the consultant is expected to carry out any other related duties that are within the employee's skills and abilities whenever reasonably instructed.

The Lead Advisor, Economics is responsible for all technical aspects of a particular project. They will consult with end users of research to define problems and identify potential approaches including available data if relevant. The priorities and scope of research projects will be determined in consultation with the team leader. The communication of research methods and results at internal and external conferences and seminars and in publishable manuscripts to enhance the organisation's reputation as an organization with strong analytical capacity in economics is expected. This team member will maintain a high level of personal expertise in research and an excellent reputation in their area of specialization.

Qualifications:

- Ph.D. in Economics or related discipline (e.g., Environmental, Developmental, Agricultural and Resource Economics or Public Policy), and 10 or more years of experience in policy and/or research in the relevant areas preferred.

- Thorough understanding of mainstream economic techniques in environmental, climate (adaptation or mitigation), and energy topics as well as core econometric concepts and methods as demonstrated by advanced degrees and professional publications.

- The ability to relate economic analysis to public policy and organizational strategy.

- Skill in translating complicated research and analytical concepts for non-technical audiences and translating results into practical solutions.

- Proven ability to conduct cutting-edge research.

- Ability to deploy a diversity of analytical approaches, from theoretical, and/or econometric studies to back-of-the-envelope analyses.

- Self-direction and independence of mind.

- Interest in relating economic research to real-world policy and in bridging the worlds of advocacy and academia.

- Excellent written and oral communication skills. The ability to learn quickly and think critically.

- Flexibility to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic, and entrepreneurial environment.

- Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Third Sector Partners is a pioneering cause-connected executive search firm and has been retained for this position. Interested candidates can send in their CVs along with three references and a cover note to leadadvisoreconomics@gmail.com

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.