Consultant – Batteries (Electric Vehicles)

About the job

Consultant – Batteries (Electric Vehicles), WRI India

Who we are and what we do?

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, non-profit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. Our work focuses on building sustainable and livable cities and working towards a low carbon economy. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, World Resources Institute puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being.

WRI India has the capacity to convene key stakeholders, and forge strategic partnerships with governments, business, foundations, civil society organizations, institutes and NGOs, to scale-up solutions that can bring game-changing results for the sustainable management of natural resources in India.

Overview Of The Sustainable Cities And Transport Program

At WRI India Ross Center we focus on 10 integrated solutions to urban challenges. Through applied research, tools, hands-on advice, and by tapping our network of global experts, we accelerate transformative urban initiatives that have the power to change Indian cities into thriving, equitable, and low-carbon places that are good for people and the planet.

Working at WRI India Ross Center’s Sustainable Cities and Transport program offers you the unique opportunity to learn and grow as you collaborate with a diverse set of change agents targeting urban affairs – across our offices in Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai. As India’s biggest urban-focused think- and do-tank, we seek thoughtful, enterprise-minded, and sensitive individuals who can help us support this transformation and make a positive difference to citizens’ everyday lives.

About your role

WRI India is looking for a consultant to join its electric mobility program. This individual is expected to be located in Delhi, and will predominantly support in developing and actionizing consortium research on electric vehicle (EV) batteries, which WRI India will also be a part of. The individual is expected to bring together and coalesce efforts of different stakeholders of the EV battery ecosystem, such as battery manufacturers, policymaking bodies, research institutions, startups, academia, thinktanks, vehicle manufacturers, technology service providers, and more, to develop a research consortium for carrying out research on EV batteries and related technologies. The consortium will be aimed at transitioning the technology readiness levels for EV batteries in India from 1-3 to 7-9 through joint R&D (research and development) efforts of public and private sectors. The individual will work closely with her/ his supervisor.

How your day will unfold

Build relationships with different stakeholders of the EV battery ecosystem, such as battery manufacturers, policymaking bodies, research institutions, academia, thinktanks, vehicle manufacturers, technology service providers, and more, to develop a research consortium for EV batteries and related technologies

Support the consortium in carrying out joint R&D initiatives for advancing EV battery technologies in India, within a watertight framework of laws and governing principles that protects the interests of all stakeholders

Manage and/ or support different activities and deliberations regarding the research consortium, towards achievement of common goals of different stakeholders (such as data sharing, expert consultations, pilot deployment, etc.)

Foresee and mitigate potential stakeholder conflicts stemming from intellectual property usage, divergence in stakeholders’ objectives, etc.

Actively liaise with sectoral stakeholders for cross-learning, peer-to-peer interaction, research facilitation, industry roundtables, and for supporting co-creation of team strategies

Support dissemination of content and outreach for the research consortium, if required

Document scientific research on a range of sectoral issues related to different aspects of EVs, EV batteries, and related technologies

Support efforts to analyze existing information and collect new data, when required, to develop joint research and technical assistance products with the team

Support various facets of project delivery as and when needed, such as government interfacing, partner outreach, stakeholder engagement, project documentation, etc.

Identify pertinent research gaps, cultivate and develop ideas, and author or co-author knowledge products (e.g., reports, briefs, data products)

Develop blogs, articles, and other outreach material for ongoing research and related insights

Organize and support events such as workshops and webinars, to continuously engage with ecosystem stakeholders

Perform other tasks as assigned by the program director in India

Assess project risks and issues and provide solutions where applicable

Contribute to fundraising efforts, if required

Qualifications and requirements we seek

Master’s degree in energy science/ engineering, environmental engineering, business administration, management, or other relevant disciplines

10-12 years of professional work experience on a relevant subject matter

Considerable prior experience of building coalitions, manging consortia, and supporting achievement of common goals

Ability to develop, understand and leverage watertight frameworks governing consortium-format R&D initiatives

Ability to catalyze consensus building activities and support stakeholder negotiations/ conversations

Deep understanding of intellectual property rights (such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and more) and standard industry practices for R&D, and ability to navigate the same

Ability to solicit and incorporate expert feedback on R&D strategies and workstreams

Ability to develop and foster stakeholder engagements, and coalesce efforts directed at collaborative research

Thorough knowledge of policies, regulations, technologies, and business-related aspects of EVs, batteries, and other clean technologies

Ability to receive and incorporate constructive feedback effectively, think critically and strategically

Excellent writing and speaking skills in English to coherently convey complex information to a technical and policy audience

Reasonable experience in writing reports, briefs, scientific papers, blogs

Working knowledge of MS-Office

Demonstrated ability to work well in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, manage multiple priorities, and work under tight deadlines

Collaborative problem-solving skills, with the abilities to take initiative and set priorities

Legally able to work in India

Duration: One year (Part time)

Location: Delhi (substantial travel to different cities may be required)

Start date: As soon as possible

List of Documents to be attached

Cover Letter

Resume