Position Title: Head – Developmental Programs

Location: Mumbai
Reports To: CEO
Department: Programs

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Position Overview

The Head – Developmental Programs will lead the conceptualization, design, execution, and monitoring of large-scale developmental initiatives with a strong focus on water security, climate change mitigation/adaptation, urban resilience, and energy-efficient urban development. The role requires strategic thinking, multi-stakeholder engagement, and proven expertise in managing climate and environment-related programs at regional and national levels. The incumbent will steer cross-sectoral programs, strengthen partnerships, mobilize resources, and ensure impactful on-ground outcomes.

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Key Responsibilities

1. Program Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute the overall strategy for developmental programs aligned with organizational goals on water, climate resilience, and sustainable urban development.

• Identify emerging priorities in climate change, water resource management, urban cooling, and GHG mitigation to guide program planning.

• Lead innovation, research, and adoption of new technologies and best practices relevant to climate and environmental sustainability.

2. Water Security & Water Resource Development

• Design, implement, and scale comprehensive water security programs focused on watershed development, integrated water resource management (IWRM), groundwater recharge, urban water conservation, and climate-adaptive water systems.

• Collaborate with municipal bodies, communities, and technical partners to ensure sustainable and community-led water solutions.

• Oversee the development of tools, models, and frameworks to assess water availability, risk, and long-term sustainability.

3. Climate Change Mitigation/Adaptation

• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of climate mitigation/Adaptationstrategies across thematic areas.

• Promote renewable energy adoption, low-carbon solutions, circular economy interventions, and sustainable infrastructure practices.

• Develop frameworks and roadmaps for emission reduction across organizational and program portfolios.

4. Urban Energy Efficiency & Cooling Solutions

• Drive programs focused on energy-efficient urban buildings, green building standards, and passive cooling techniques.

• Promote scalable solutions for heatwave management, climate-friendly cooling, and thermal comfort in low-income and vulnerable communities.

• Engage with city administrations, architects, planners, and energy specialists to embed climate-adaptive design principles in urban development.

5. GHG Management & Measurement Frameworks

• Establish robust systems for greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, reporting, and verification for projects and partners.

• Build capacity among internal teams, government bodies, and partner organizations on GHG inventories and carbon foot printing.

• Lead development of dashboards, monitoring tools, and ESG-aligned metrics for measuring program impact.

6. Urban Climate Resilience

• Spearhead urban resilience programs concerning climate risks such as heatwaves, flooding, water scarcity, and air pollution.

• Facilitate development of city-level climate adaptation plans, resilience scorecards, and risk-reduction frameworks.

• Work with government agencies, urban planners, disaster management authorities, and NGOs to build systemic urban resilience.

7. Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

• Forge strategic partnerships with national and state governments, multilateral agencies, donors, research institutions, and implementation partners.

• Lead fundraising, proposal development, and donor engagement for climate and sustainability projects.

• Represent the organization at national and international platforms, conferences, and task forces.

8. Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

• Establish impact measurement systems to track program outcomes across water, climate, and urban sustainability.

• Ensure continuous learning, documentation, and dissemination of best practices and program innovations.

• Oversee periodic evaluations, audits, and reporting to donors and leadership.

9. Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Lead a multidisciplinary team of technical experts, program managers, field specialists, and consultants.

• Build capabilities in emerging areas such as climate finance, carbon markets, water risk assessment, and integrated urban planning.

• Foster an inclusive, high-performance culture focused on innovation and impact.

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Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Climate Studies, Water Resource Management, Urban Planning, Sustainability, or related fields.

• 12–18+ years of progressive experience in climate, water, sustainability, or development sector programs, with at least 5 years in a leadership or strategic role.

• Strong understanding of climate policies, IPCC frameworks, NDCs, National Water Mission, urban climate governance, and ESG reporting.

• Proven ability to lead complex, multi-location programs with large budgets and diverse partners.

• Strong analytical, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.

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Key Competencies

• Strategic planning and systems thinking

• Climate and sustainability expertise

• Fundraising and donor management

• Policy advocacy and government liaising

• Team leadership and capacity building

• Strong analytical and program management capabilities

Interested candidates may email their CVs along with the Cover Letter to careers.akahi@akdn.org

Interested candidates may email their CVs along with the Cover Letter to hr.akahi@akdn.org