Openings : Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC)

Sustainable Futures Collaborative The Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC) is an independent and non-profit research organisation that:

• Analyses issues at the frontier of addressing climate change, managing the energytransition, and limiting environmental threats in India and globally;
• Informs policymakers, stakeholders and the public about key policy and governance levers, and their implications; and
• Accelerates the transition to an environmentally and socially sustainable future by enabling strategic action for systemic change.

1. Fellow/Associate Fellow – Adaptation and Resilience

Work Description
The role of a Fellow is to identify, develop and implement new areas of research and engagement. This includes identifying areas of national strategic importance in the area of climate adaptation, developing an impactful research and policy engagement strategy, putting in place the funding and team to execute the vision, and building networks with peer research organisations, governments and the media in the process.

The successful candidate will bring demonstrated experience and interest in climate adaptation and resilience, domain knowledge in related areas and a vision for expanding the scope of the Adaptation and Resilience area of work. This could include expertise in areas like water, agriculture, disaster management, health and other such areas. SFC’s current work in this area focuses on resilience to heatwaves and building governance structures for
adaptation. This work will likely continue to develop, and candidates are encouraged to engage with and co-develop this ongoing work.

This is a leadership position within SFC and will require attention to organisation building, including to coordination meetings and managing key organisational functions. SFC is a young and exciting organisation, and these are crucial years in its development – the individual chosen for this position is expected to play a role in that process.

The role requires capability to write and communicate effectively, with capability and a track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals highly desirable, as well as writing policy briefs and other outputs for policy and public communication.

This position admits a range of methodological approaches, but it must be rooted in the social sciences.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead SFC’s work on climate adaptation and resilience. This includes strategy setting, developing new areas of work, and extending and continuing existing areas of work as described above.
• Produce high impact and high quality academic and policy publications and outputs.
• Build and manage a team to achieve these goals, including assisting colleagues in their career development.
• Build relationships with partners in governments, academia, the media, and peer organisations in India and globally.
• Engage in SFC-wide team building and play a role in managing key organisational functions.

Qualifications and Work Experience

• Applicants must have a Ph.D. in a relevant social science discipline or applied sciences with demonstrable policy engagement and public impact. MA/MS candidates can be considered if they bring a history of impact or high-quality work in the policy space and relevant policy experience.
• Minimum of two years of work experience post-PhD or four-six years post-master’s degree preferred and demonstrated interest in adaptation and resilience policy and/or research is desirable.
• At least two publications in globally recognised refereed journals is highly desirable and evidence of a high level of writing quality is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to engage in policy processes, whether through government engagement, business, or civil society positions.
• Experience managing teams and in leadership positions is desirable.

We are looking for exceptional candidates with creativity and vision to lead an area of work in SFC. We will consider applications that do not meet all these requirements on a case-by-case basis.

Remuneration
Salary commensurate to experience and designation, in line with development sector standards.

Work Culture
SFC operates through collaborative decision-making and has a flat hierarchy. Potentially successful candidates would therefore have to demonstrate the ability to work in such an environment. This includes playing an active role in furthering our team culture goals, encouraging the prospects of our talented younger colleagues, and being open to (and indeed encouraging) feedback from colleagues. We have structured this organisation to ensure independent research and privilege rigorous research and high-quality outputs above other considerations. We also care deeply about equity, both in the workplace and in our research outputs. A successful candidate will likely have the same core emphases.

Application Instructions

Please send in your application to hello@sustainablefutures.org, with the subject line

“Application: Fellow: Adaptation and Resilience”. Please keep aditya@sustainablefutures.org in CC. Applications should include:

• A cover letter explaining your suitability for the position.
• A brief research statement (not more than 2-pages) that describes your research interests and potential areas of work.
• A CV
• Two writing samples (first or lead author), ideally published, that you have led to illustrate the quality of your writing.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The first review will occur in mid-May. Candidates will be invited to interview if they pass the initial screening.

Expected Start Date: As soon as possible with an outer limit of late June to early July.

2. Fellow – Energy Transition

Work Description
The role of a Fellow is to identify, develop and implement new areas of research and engagement. This includes formulating ideas, applying a range of research methods and obtaining necessary funding. This position requires the capacity to work independently on a number of research and policy projects simultaneously.

Applicants must have research interests related to the energy transition in India, though there is flexibility in the candidate’s specific research areas within this broad field. While the energy transition can be explored from any entry point, a few themes that the group currently explores include just transitions for fossil-dependent regions of India, governance of energy transitions, metrics and indicators of progress, energy transition and climate change, sub-national electricity transitions and the changing political economy of energy and electricity. The intention is that the Fellow will develop his or her independent policy research agenda and will simultaneously work in collaboration with other fellows.

In addition, the Fellow will be expected to contribute and participate in broader research discussions within SFC.

Key Responsibilities

• Explore research opportunities, develop research proposals, and design implementation plans
• Correspond with stakeholders, present research ideas and engage in discussion
• Undertake and oversee quantitative and/or qualitative data collection using different research tools
• Prepare clearly written academic publications, analytical reports, and other forms of dissemination of research
• Mentor and assist staff and early-stage researchers in the organization
• Engage in appropriate training and professional development opportunities as required by the organization
• Any other related assignments may be entrusted by the reporting authority

Qualifications

• Applicants must have a Ph.D. in a relevant social science discipline or applied sciences with demonstrable policy engagement. MA/MS candidates will only be considered if the candidate brings considerable policy experience
• 2-4 years of work experience with demonstrated interest in energy policy, climate policy or
  governance is highly desirable
• At least 2 publications in refereed journals (highly desirable)
• Good research and writing skills are essential
• Ability to communicate and work with a team that draws from diverse disciplines
• Ability to participate in broader intellectual agenda of the organisation

Applicants near completion of PhD or falling short of one/two requirements may be considered for ‘Associate Fellow’ position. Please indicate in the cover letter if you wish your application to be considered for Associate Fellow.

Remuneration

Salary commensurate to experience and designation, in line with development sector standards.

Application Instructions
Please send in your application to hello@sustainablefutures.org, with subject line “Application: Fellow-Energy Transition”. Applications should include:

• A cover letter explaining your suitability for the position
• A brief statement (not more than 2-pages) of research interests and research plans
• A curriculum vitae

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled