Reports to: Executive Director, EPIC India

About the Trust

The University of Chicago Trust (the Trust) is a charitable trust in India, established in 2008 by an alumnus of The University of Chicago. The Trust’s objectives are to provide opportunities for grants to support educational programs, research programs and activities for the betterment of India.

About the Unit

India faces the dual challenge of rapidly improving living standards—through sustained economic growth and expanded access to reliable and affordable energy—while simultaneously reducing pollution for a cleaner and healthier environment. EPIC India researchers work hand-in-hand with government and industry partners to identify innovative ideas, pilot them on the ground, and rigorously measure outcomes.

Position Description

The Director, AQLI will be responsible for monitoring the AQLI scientific research projects and research team that supports the project. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates. Manages the production of articles, reports, and manuscripts, and presents research findings at meetings and/ or conferences.

Responsibilities

• Defines the overall mission of the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI), metrics for success, and quarterly and annual goals.
• Produces a steady stream of original, creative, and timely AQLI-related content through research and data analysis.
• Establishes an internal strategy to guide scale-up in 5 to 7 heavily polluted markets.
• Forms strategic partnerships to amplify communications impact and policy dialogue in new markets as well as globally.
• Presents the AQLI to audiences, including at conferences, television, podcasts, etc.
• Expands the AQLI’s network of collaborators working on air pollution research and related topics, potentially through hosting virtual and in-person panel discussions, identifying other ways to feature related third-party work, or participating in forums and groups organized by other parties.
• Engages with policymakers to ensure that the AQLI is used to create meaningful changes.
• Manages the overall development of the AQLI project website with communications team, while regularly vetting and exploring new ideas to improve the design of the website and/or extend the scope of the platform to ensure that it remains dynamic and relevant.
• Secures new sources of funds to enable rapid growth in outreach in multiple countries.
• Manages the overall AQLI programmatic budget, as well as the activities of the research staff working on the AQLI scale-up, including data analysts and outreach staff.
• Reviews research of others, and may conduct own research, in area of expertise. Edits and approves articles, reports, and manuscripts.
• Develops goals and operating procedures, practices, and guidelines for research activity based on department strategy.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced degree in a field that relates to air pollution, energy, climate, or the environment is desired, but equivalent experience can suffice.

Experience:

• 5-7 years of relevant experience working in the global air quality landscape, especially with a focus on the most highly polluted areas such as South Asia, from any one or more vantage points: atmospheric science, environmental epidemiology, environmental economics, environmental policy, think tank, non-profit, or philanthropy.
• Demonstrated program management experience implementing environmental data-driven projects, such as leading reports, writing white papers, and/or building compelling data visualizations. If you do not have this experience, a list of potential ways you would like to change or grow the Annual AQLI report.
• Demonstrated experience writing op-eds or policy-focused blog posts or writings on environmental issues. If you do not have this experience, a list of potential AQLI related op-ed topics you would be excited to write about should be included in your cover letter.
• Demonstrated public speaking experience on related topics with a public track record of giving presentations and/or on-the-record interviews.
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining strategic partnerships as well as having a willingness to fundraise. Partnerships could include engaging with governments (e.g. pollution control boards), philanthropies and/or the private sector.
• Adapt to evolving priorities and deadlines, while also setting and implementing long-term AQLI strategy.
• Comfort in managing team members with differing sets of technical expertise (e.g. those with software, atmospheric science, and/or economic backgrounds).

Competencies

• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with external collaborators, funders, journalists, or other important constituencies.
• Engage closely with policymakers, media, researchers, and NGOs.
• Demonstrated experience successfully growing and leading a team.
• High degree of enthusiasm, energy, and creativity.
• Successful leadership skills.
• Evidence of strategic planning; ability to align tactical work efforts with strategic vision.
• Project execution skills, including managing deadlines and projecting financial statements.
• Proven ability to multitask and successfully complete projects on tight deadlines with little supervision.
• Willing to work hard, self-motivated, and learn is essential for doing well in this position.
• Excellent oral and written communication and public speaking skills including the ability to translate technical ideas into non-technical content.
• Entrepreneurial approach and operate in start-up mode, adapting to the changing needs of a new and evolving organization.

Working Conditions

• Based in Delhi.

Applicant must be legally authorized to work in India.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact Information (3 required)

  Send in your applications via email to contactepicindia@uchicagotrust.org.
  Deadline: September 5, 2023