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The Centre for Development Finance (CDF) at the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR) (www.ifmr.ac.in/cdf/) is immediately seeking to hire a full time senior researcher to lead the Environmentally Sustainable Project Finance (ESPF) team's work on the bottom of the pyramid (BOP) energy sector. The position is based in Nungambakkam, Chennai.

This is an opportunity to play an important strategic role in growing and sustaining a young, internationally diverse research and policy organization. Compensation is highly competitive.

Centre for Development Finance

The Centre for Development Finance (CDF) (www.ifmr.ac.in/cdf) is a development economics research and action centre. It was formally established in February 2006 with a mission to support development finance – the conversion of finance into development. We primarily focus on sustainable models for financing infrastructure and services, as these are essential inputs into any vision of equitable development. The objectives of CDF are to improve the efficiency and targeting of public and private financing for infrastructure and identify priority areas for public and private financing. CDF works with partners in the government, private sector (for profit and non profit) as well as researchers to develop and exploring innovative ideas and solutions in infrastructure and services provision. The Centre is part of larger research and action ecosystem on the campus of the Institute for Financial Management and Research (www.ifmr.ac.in)

The Environmentally Sustainable Project Finance (ESPF) team works to foster markets and promote policies that firmly orient India on a path of sustainable growth. ESPF undertakes action research, contributes thought leadership and creates linkages between individuals, enterprises and public and private sector institutions committed to India's sustainable growth. ESPF's work program cuts across four key themes: poverty and environmental impact; India's low carbon growth; environmental sustainability beyond carbon; and setting standards for sustainable markets.

Job Description

The senior researcher, ESPF will be responsible for research and related activities analyzing the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) energy sector in India. The senior researcher would be expected to undertake a comprehensive study to quantify BoP energy needs and existing uses, conduct stakeholder and expert interviews, conduct focus groups, and perform a competitive analysis of emerging and established off-grid and household energy technologies in order to develop a strategy and series of projects for improving access to clean, sustainable energy at the BoP. CDF currently has one U.S.-based partner for this programmatic area; the researcher would be encouraged also to identify more strategic partners. The senior researcher may be required to manage one or more researchers or interns and contract staff.

The senior researcher, ESPF would be a key member of the ESPF team and would be expected to take an active role in ESPF research and policy advising related to India's sustainable growth.

Required Qualifications