Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment, educational details, behavioural and technical/ professional skills questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only with all the required details and the shortlisting is not basis CV/ cover letter. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’

Main purpose of job:

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a fast paced and dynamic team in a critical decade for global action on the energy transition needed to move away from fossil fuels and towards clean growth.

As part of the UK Government’s global response to the climate challenge, and the strong partnership between India and the UK on climate, the UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) programme was launched in India in 2024. UK PACT is a technical assistance programme established to support partner countries to accelerate their clean growth transitions and reduce carbon emissions in line with their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). It works through: 

• Supporting the creation of low-carbon policy, regulations and financial mechanisms that will result in wide-spread change and leverage further public and private finance.
• Piloting innovative ideas that can be mainstreamed by the Government and private sector.
• Improving the capacity and capability of key institutions
• Sharing UK expertise
• Embedding gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) into everything we do

This position, based in the British High Commission New Delhi, will be the strategic lead for design and implementation of UK PACT India, working closely with UK PACT India Country Lead (based in the UK), the UK PACT delivery partner,  staff across the British High Commission in Delhi and the Deputy High Commissions around India, and with Ministries and agencies at the national, state and city level.

This will include:

1. Leading the strategy, design and implementation of the UK PACT India Fund for the High Commission in line with the UK-India climate relationship;
2. Overseeing the delivery of a specific sector or sectors within UK PACT (to be confirmed as the programme develops, but which may include power, agroforestry, cities and low-carbon transport, climate policy and planning, and climate finance). This includes providing technical advice and managing relationships with relevant agencies (e.g. Ministries). It may also include broader policy responsibility for the sector within the High Commission (for example co-ordinating the work of other programmes operating in the sector and on our wider approach).
3. Ensuring high quality value for money delivery of UK PACT projects in India;
4. Identifying opportunities for new programme interventions;
5. Establishing and maintaining a strong stakeholder network of UK PACT counterparts across India;
6. Leading coordination of the UK PACT engagement across the UK’s India network

Note that this role may include line management as the team develops.

The jobholder will be expected to integrate the UK PACT strategy with the UK’s climate objectives in India, and with existing UK PACT activities in the country. The jobholder will be central to the coordination of all UK PACT deliverables, acting as the key interlocutor for both internal and external stakeholders, driving forward the portfolio and providing assurance to the Country Fund lead based in the UK. This requires an individual who is able to demonstrate programme leadership, strong communication and interpersonal skills, a focus on solutions, pragmatic decision making and not being afraid to challenge.

This role will be based in the Climate and Energy team at the British High Commission in New Delhi but will require frequent cross-team working with colleagues across the India Network in Delhi and our Deputy High Commissions across India and with colleagues in the UK. This could include travel across India to the relevant states and cities, and occasional travel abroad. The post holder will be expected to develop strong links with other colleagues working on global issues across the BHC, including Urban and Infrastructure, Development Capital, Science and Technology  Network, and Trade teams.

We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?

Driving and implementing the UK PACT India Fund strategy and programme (30%)

1. Working with the British High Commission, UK PACT HQ and the UK PACT delivery partner team to develop and deliver the UK PACT India Fund’s strategy. This may include scoping exercises as relevant, and overseeing the designing of country implementation plan by the delivery partner, ensuring the programme is tailored to UK climate objectives in India.
2. Ensure the coordination and cross-team collaboration for UK PACT in India, especially within the BHC and centrally managed programmes, bilateral programmes and initiatives supported by other donor agencies. 
3. Leading the governance of the programme and relationship with the UK PACT delivery partner. This includes ensuring effective ways of working between the delivery partner, the British High Commission, the Deputy High Commissions across India, and the UK PACT team in UK. This includes providing PACT HQ teams with updates and assurances of progress.
4. Overseeing delivery of the India Fund in line with good programme management practices, for example through risk management and results monitoring, working closely with the UK PACT team in the UK.
5. Work closely with other UK PACT sector leads at the High Commission to ensure work is co-ordinated, and feeding back to the delivery partner and UK PACT HQ team in the UK as needed.

 Provide leadership and technical advice on an identified priority sector or sectors (60%)

1. Drive the delivery within an identified sector or sectors, building up contacts and evidence to create a more detailed sector strategy, identify potential interventions and deliver effective projects, with the aim of creating transformational change that reduces emissions
2. Building and leading relationships with relevant Government of India ministries, state/city governments and relevant staff at the British High Commission and Deputy High Commissions to effectively implement the programme.

X-HMG working to contribute to Corporate goals (10%): Play an active part in the corporate life of the British High Commission

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
If this role takes on line-management responsibilities, these objectives will be updated to reflect this.

Language requirements:

Language: English
Level of language required: Excellent

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

• The FCDO offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities throughout the year.

Working patterns: Flexible working pattern will be agreed as per FCDO policy.

Other Information:

Note: The tenure of the role is up to 31 March 2026. There is a possibility of renewal.

Essential on arrival:

We are looking for a self-driven, highly motivated and dynamic professional, with strong leadership abilities and proactive problem-solving skills.  The role requires someone with excellent interpersonal and communications skills and an ability to have flexible approach to work whilst under pressure for building strong relations within the British High Commission and the UK teams and with a wide range of stakeholders in India.

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Experience of leading design and implementation of development programmes;
• A university degree, preferably in a relevant field (e.g. Environmental Science, Climate, Public Policy);
• Understanding of climate and environment issues and policies in India, including an understanding of how to work within the Government of India and across the development community
• A minimum of 5 years of work experience, with project/programme management experience, preferably with international stakeholders;
• Strong interpersonal, communication and relationship skills;
• Flexible and creative problem-solving skills, and the ability to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems, and coordinate coherent and compelling programmes and projects;
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Experience providing administrative and logistical support;
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to adjust to different audiences;
• Excellent presentation skills;
• Team working skills.