We are looking for a Researcher to join our team. This position will work directly with the Assistant Program Director at Development Alternatives to strategically anchor and develop the organisation’s work on Sustainable Habitats towards mainstreaming resource efficiency and circular economy principles across sectors such as buildings and construction, waste management, and urban planning in policy as well as praxis, with the broad objective of generating responses towards building ecological resilience and improving the living conditions of local communities.

Your primary responsibility would be to support the Planning and Policy Domain in conducting policy and technical research on sustainable habitats and allied fields. You would work in a highly interdisciplinary team in a very dynamic environment. You would be encouraged to look at possible synergies across systems, sectors and scales to design and implement cross-cutting projects. You would be expected to further our ambitious efforts to advance the organization’s agenda by disseminating our work and message to a wide variety of stakeholders nationwide, including researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and institutions of higher education.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the team with primary and secondary research for projects on sustainable urban development, including literature review, field data collection, conducting interviews and surveys, data compilation and analysis, and ensuring timely completion of project deliverables
• Support team in compiling technical reports and knowledge and communication products, preparing presentations, project management, and implementing field work under the supervision of a senior manager.
• Support other project and non-project activities such as organising workshops and knowledge sharing events, proposal writing and business development, any other activities as per the project or domain requirements.

Desired Profile

• Experience of conducting research on sustainable built environment, climate resilient urban development, planning and governance.
• Experience in working with various stakeholders including state departments, ministries, multilateral organizations, CSOs would be preferable.
• Understanding of concepts of circular economy, green buildings, urban climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable urban development, waste management, and upcoming technologies and innovations.
• Knowledge of current policy and market landscape around sustainable urban development and stakeholders and networks engaged in the same.
• Excellent writing and communication skills for technical and non-technical reports, presentations, briefs, and proposals.
• Willingness to travel for field work (travel may include smaller towns, villages, and remote locations for community interactions)
   

Technical Skills:

1. Excellent writing, academic research, and presentation skills
2. Excellent working knowledge of MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and online tools for collaborative working
3. Working knowledge of AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, Google Sketchup, Adobe Suite would be an asset
4. Knowledge of tools & methodologies for Material Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Building Information Modelling (BIM), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Environmental Impact Assessment would be considered a bonus.