Operations Manager

About CPI

CPI is an analysis and advisory organization with deep expertise in finance and policy. We are a leader in tracking sustainable investment trends, identifying innovative business models, and supporting the solutions that can drive a transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. We are unique in our focus on finance, our ability to get the right people to the table, and our analytical rigor.

Our mission is to help governments, businesses, and financial institutions drive economic growth while addressing climate change. CPI has seven offices around the world in Brazil, Cape Town, India, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

About CPI India

CPI India develops innovative finance and policy solutions that support credible, equitable green growth and transition plans. Our work helps ensure that the Government of India, Development Finance Institutions, the private sector, and the overall Indian economy reach ambitious net-zero and sustainability goals. This work includes green finance, sustainable finance, renewable energy, and just energy transition.

We currently focus on three workstreams a) Green and Sustainable Finance b) Energy Transition including electricity transition, industrial decarbonization and transport decarbonization and c) Improving Access to Finance for distributed renewable energy projects/businesses through project preparatory facilities technical assistance (TA) programs and risk mitigation mechanisms. The nature of the work varies across consulting /research projects and program management.

About the Role

CPI India is expanding its impact on climate finance both regionally and globally. Were looking for a dynamic and experienced Operations Manager to join our team and drive our Sustainable Finance and Energy Transition initiatives.

In this role, you will collaborate closely with the Director and Workstream Leads to enhance CPI s program outreach and partnerships. You will be responsible for managing relationships with key stakeholders, including government entities, industry leaders, financial institutions, industry associations, and academia. Additionally, you will oversee grant reporting systems, ensuring compliance with funding terms, and manage Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and Impact Assessment tasks for program grants.

Promoting continuous improvement and excellent program management through influence and collaboration is essential. This role requires proven experience in program management, along with strong skills in process oversight, and team management

Reporting to the Operations Director, with dotted line to India Director, the Operations Manager will guide and support the India Program team staff and consultants, while coordinating with CPI staff and partners around the world.

Key Responsibilities

Program Management

• Support Program teams with contractual review and budgeting in collaboration with the finance team.
• Oversee the budget for CPI India Program Delivery, including monitoring milestones, budget vs. actuals, and donor narrative and reporting.
• Support the administration of subgrant agreements, ensuring due diligence, financial oversight, and monitoring in collaboration with the finance team.
• Track and review project progress against deliverables and manage advance/reimbursement requests to donors in collaboration with project leads/managers.
• Design and implement robust Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) processes to ensure compliance with funder requirements. Monitor MEL activities at program level, with a particular focus on results and impacts. Provide support to the overall strategic direction to all India workstreams key projects in close consultation with project managers
• Design and implement a monthly monitoring process of financial spending as well as key performance metrics for all projects in coordination with project managers.
• Ensure the integrity of financial records by creating and streamlining institutional knowledge management systems.
• Coordinate grant-specific audits in collaboration with the CFO, Finance and India Operations teams, and Program staff.
• Collaborate with the Finance team to manage cost allocations, internal controls, and administrative systems.
• Develop new processes and procedures for efficient project financial management.
• Manage the proposal and contract pipeline in the Fluxx - Grantseeker portal.
• Periodically review accounts and project spending, providing feedback and analysis to project leaders on variances and donor compliance.
• Lead workforce planning and staffing allocation for projects, ensuring staff skillsets match project needs and capturing resource allocation and spend for GST Operations and Finance processes.

Communication and Engagement (Internal/External)

• Enhance CPI s equity and engagement with relevant stakeholders, including convening meetings as per funders requirements aligned with flagship programs like The Lab, India Clean Energy Finance, Centre for Sustainable Finance, Just Transition Program, and Green Finance Landscape.
• Maintain excellent relationships with grantors/funders for all CPI India projects, and coordinate and develop reports, awards, grant submissions, and strategic communications.
• Engage with local media, academia, industry, and CSOs to enhance CPIs presence and position in coordination with communications team.
• Disseminate outputs to industry associations, research organizations, and other stakeholders as required.
• Develop and periodically revise the CPI s capability statement and pitch decks, coordinating with global Communications.
• Serve as a knowledge-sharing resource about CPI s approach and process to funders, clients, partners, and other stakeholders.

Operations Management

Support and oversee office management including but not limited to procurement of office supplies, stationary, installation of IT equipment, requirement of network devices etc.

Implementation of best practices with respect to financial tracking of resources utilized within the office premises.

Support in implementation of various tools and IT applications to enable organizational efficiency.

People Management

• Manage 1-3 direct reports, supporting their career trajectory at CPI and directly overseeing their work where relevant.
• Provide overall leadership for the Program team, including leading team meetings, and regular check-ins with project teams and stream leads as relevant.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• BA or BS degree in Business, International Development/Affairs, Public Policy, or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Demonstrable relevant experience with either Non-profit/Consulting- Financial Services- Banks/NBFCs, Funds or Academic Institutions
• A strong understanding of grant-based program management as they relate to non-profit/international NGOs or Academic Institutions, including donor/grants/contract cycle and audits
• Experienced program manager with 10 - 12 years of experience managing substantial projects. Demonstrated experience in directly tracking and managing several projects and processes simultaneously, including project with at least USD $1 million budget
• Experience leading teams and projects in an international organization across multiple technical operational domains including: day-to-day administration, people operations, IT management, knowledge management, and process improvement.
• Proven experience overseeing M&E processes and procedures as they relate to non-profit/international NGOs
• Experience with multi-stakeholder partnerships desirable.
• Experience managing government grants is highly desirable.
• Existing relationships with the following Ministries highly desirable: Ministry of Finance, Power, Forestry, New & Renewable Energy.
• Demonstrated interest in the areas of Climate Finance, international Climate Policy, and/or Sustainable Development is desirable.
• Fluency within Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with project management software.
• Experience with CRM software is desirable.
• PMP certification or equivalent work experience desirable.
• Written and spoken fluency in English is required.

COMPETENCIES & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to work with all levels of staff across a multi-cultural, multi-geographic, multi-discipline organization
• A growth mindset and a passion for supporting the team to continuously raise the bar
• Highly organized and meticulous attention to detail
• Great oral and written communication skills, solution-oriented, and should be able to keep up a fast pace while adapting to frequent change.
• You are capable of juggling multiple tasks and priorities and adhering to set deadlines while keeping the big picture in mind.
• You are self-motivated and dependable with a passion for learning.
• You can keep calm under pressure and perform all tasks with absolute professionalism and sensitivity to internal and external client demands.
• Your values are aligned with CPI s - you believe in the importance of aligning finance with low-carbon and climate resilient pathways and want to be part of a positive change in the world.

Position Details

CPI is recruiting for one full-time position to be based in our New Delhi office. The CPI team is currently working in hybrid/flexible WFH mode .

CPI offers a competitive compensation and benefits package.

CPI salary offers are determined by the level of skill and experience demonstrated by the selected candidate as well as alignment to internal equity and external market levels.

To Apply

Click here to apply. With your application, attach two documents in English:

(1) An up-to-date CV and (2) a compelling cover letter outlining why you want to work with CPI and how your skills and experience align with the above criteria.

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, so we encourage applicants to submit at the earliest opportunity. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Please be sure to add notifications@app.bamboohr.com to your contact list to ensure delivery of all correspondence from us.

Climate Policy Initiative is an equal opportunity employer and committed to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization. We work hard to create and maintain a supportive and inclusive environment where all individuals can maximize their full potential. Our CPI teams reflect a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences. Our strong commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident through our focus on attracting and retaining staff based on skills and merit.

We welcome and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all identities and backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants and colleagues with disabilities.