Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW),
New Delhi
Programme Lead – Clean Air
Terms of Reference
At CEEW, we are deliberate about what we stand for (and what we don’t stand for!) as an employer. So, if
the below description strikes a chord, we would love to hear from you!
At CEEW, we build careers in public policy
â We offer strong visionary leadership – with emphasis on research and impact at scale
â We actively promote leadership by initiative
â We celebrate talent and ambition
â You will be surrounded by smart people who will challenge you and help you grow
â You will learn faster than your peers in other organisations
â Curiosity and irreverence, as well as responsibility, come together at CEEW
â You will get above -market remuneration
â We provide a safe space for all
â At CEEW, your life is your example for others
Designation offered
Programme Lead – Clean Air
Team/Focus Area
Clean Air
Location
New Delhi
Reporting to
Senior Programme Lead
Purpose
The multi -disciplinary Clean Air team at CEEW generates data and evidence to drive scalable action and
strengthen the capacity of governments and industries through institutional collaborations to improve
India’s air quality. The team’s work spans diverse verticals, including crop residue management, clean
cooking, solid waste management, industrial pollution management, clean construction, air quality
governance, and air quality data analytics & forecasting. Its research is guided by five levers of change:
capacity building for government agencies, generating transparent and credible data, developing
innovative solutions, demonstrating industrial leadership, and raising public demand for clean air.
CEEW’s Clean Air team seeks to hire a driven and passionate Programme Lead to spearhead our work on
governance frameworks and institutional strengthening for air quality management at the national, state,
and city levels. The candidate will be pivotal in identifying gaps in existing governance mechanisms,
designing evidence -based solutions, and driving impactful collaborations with key stakeholders. Expertise
or experience in behavioural economics is highly desirable.
This role demands a blend of managerial, technical, and strategic communication skills. The ideal
candidate will have a deep understanding of India's air quality governance, regulatory frameworks, and
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institutional arrangements. Strong experience in stakeholder engagement, drafting policy
recommendations, and managing large -scale research projects is essential. Excellent communication
skills, both written and verbal, are critical for preparing concise briefing notes, policy reports, and
presentations for diverse audiences under tight deadlines.
Job Duties and Accountabilities
Strategy
â Support the Senior Programme Lead in developing a strategy for the Clean Air programme that
aligns with institutional goals and national priorities in air quality governance.
â Engage with current and potential funders and stakeholders, including central, state, and
city -level government entities, as well as policy and research institutions, to establish
partnerships and secure resources.
â Build and maintain strategic networks across key government ministries and regulatory bodies to
advance the air quality governance agenda.
Research
â Take end -to -end ownership of flagship projects within the air quality governance vertical and
lead at least two proposals under competitive grant opportunities.
â Develop independent and original research ideas that are both policy -relevant and aligned with
the team’s goals, particularly in air quality governance and enforcement mechanisms.
â Oversee the quality and coherence of draft reports, data analyses, and research outputs
produced by the team, ensuring alignment with high -impact deliverables.
â Travel to project sites, as necessary, to conduct interviews, collect data, or engage with local
stakeholders to strengthen evidence -based research.
Project and People Management
â Manage a multi -disciplinary team of Programme Associates and Research Analysts, ensuring high
performance and alignment with project goals.
â Drive team expansion efforts by assisting in recruitment at the Research Analyst and Programme
Associate levels to support the air quality governance vertical.
â Ensure timely submission of project deliverables while maintaining high -quality standards.
â Represent the Clean Air team’s work at national and international platforms, including
conferences, workshops, and stakeholder meetings.
â Support financial reporting, budgeting, and resource allocation for projects under the air quality
governance sub -vertical.
â Perform additional duties as required to fulfil the Clean Air team’s objectives.
Selection Criteria
Education
â Master’s or PhD in environmental studies, public policy, environmental engineering, urban
governance, environmental law, or other relevant fields.
â Comprehensive understanding of India’s air quality policy frameworks, governance structures,
and regulatory environment.
â Strong academic and research background, with expertise in research methods and quantitative
analysis. Specialisation in public policy or environmental law is highly desirable
Work Experience
â 8–15 years of experience in the air quality domain, with a strong focus on governance, policy
frameworks, and institutional capacity building.
â Demonstrated expertise in leading projects on air quality management, urban governance, and
regulatory compliance mechanisms.
â Proven record of producing high -quality publications in peer -reviewed journals, policy briefs, and
actionable reports.
â Experience in engaging with policymakers, government stakeholders, and funders to drive
evidence -based solutions.
Key skills
â Excellent project management skills.
â Excellent written and oral communication skills.
â Demonstrated abilities to manage multiple priorities, projects and internal/external resources in
a fast -paced environment while meeting deadlines and quality standards.
â Striving for rigour in research and quality in work output.
â Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment and being able to
independently drive research with minimum assistance.
â The candidate should be willing to travel frequently.
CEEW operates in a dynamic environment, and the candidate will be required to show flexibility in
undertaking a variety of tasks
Personality
â Willingness to learn new (research and project management) skills
â Ability to adapt to the new environment and deliver under tight deadlines in a professional
environment
â Striving for rigour in research and quality in work output
â Ability to effectively work in a team while being able to independently drive research with
minimum assistance, when time demands
â Ability to dig deeper into details, while also keeping a sense of the broader objectives and big
picture
â Willingness to learn, grow and develop on personal and professional front, at a rapid pace with a
steep learning curve
â Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment
Compensation
Competitive compensation – commensurate to the experience and matching the best of standards
adopted by industry or other similar organizations for similar roles.
Application Process
CEEW is an equal opportunity employer and the selection process does not discriminate on the basis of
age, gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, or sexuality. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested applicants are advised to apply at the earliest
possible.
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified by us. We appreciate your interest.
Apply Now
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