Climate Change & Climate Action Specialist | Multiple Locations (Anticipated Opening)

Climate Change & Climate Action Specialist

Location: New Delhi | Assignment Type: Full-Time, Project-Based Contract | Coverage: Multiple States Across India

About the Role

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider that combines unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future. We are not your typical consultants — we bring deep subject-matter knowledge together with innovative approaches to deliver lasting impact.

We are seeking an experienced Climate Change & Climate Action Specialist to join our team on a full-time, project-based contract engagement. In this role, you will provide high-level technical expertise in developing and implementing climate mitigation and adaptation strategies for urban and regional development programmes across India. You will work directly with government agencies to prepare climate action plans, greenhouse gas inventories, vulnerability assessments, emissions reduction strategies, and implementation frameworks — all aligned with national and international climate commitments.

This is a dynamic, field-engaged role that will involve travel across India and coordination with government stakeholders across multiple geographic clusters, including:

• North & Central India: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand
• South India: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Goa
• East India: Jharkhand
• North-East & Eastern Himalayan Region: Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of Climate Action Plans for urban and regional governments, ensuring alignment with national climate policy and international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and NDCs
• Conduct comprehensive climate vulnerability and risk assessments, identifying exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity across sectors including water, energy, transport, and urban infrastructure
• Prepare Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventories using established methodologies, including sector-wise emissions accounting and baseline scenario development
• Develop mitigation and adaptation strategies, translating technical analysis into actionable, context-appropriate interventions for government clients
• Design and track climate indicators and MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification) frameworks to measure progress against climate targets and commitments
• Support governance systems and institutional strengthening to enable effective climate action implementation at the state and city level
• Review and analyse existing climate policies, identifying gaps and providing evidence-based recommendations for policy enhancement
• Develop investment priorities and financing frameworks, identifying opportunities for climate-aligned public and private investment
• Prepare high-quality technical reports, briefs, and knowledge products for government clients, donor agencies, and internal stakeholders
• Design and conduct stakeholder workshops, training sessions, and capacity-building programmes for government officials and partner organisations
• Integrate climate considerations into infrastructure planning and urban development programmes, ensuring resilience and sustainability are embedded from design through implementation
• Support data collection, spatial analysis, and climate modelling to underpin evidence-based planning and decision-making
• Prepare detailed implementation roadmaps, including phased action plans, institutional responsibilities, resource requirements, and timelines

Educational Qualifications

• Essential: Master's degree in Climate Change, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, or a closely related discipline
• Preferred: PhD in a relevant field, or professional certifications in climate change, carbon management, or sustainability (e.g., ICLEI, CDP, or equivalent)

Professional Experience

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience, including a demonstrated track record in preparing climate action plans, conducting vulnerability assessments, and providing advisory support to government clients
• Proven experience working with national, state, or municipal governments on climate-related programmes in India or comparable developing country contexts
• Familiarity with donor-funded or multilateral development programmes is an advantage

Technical Competencies

• Climate Adaptation — developing strategies to manage current and projected climate risks
• Climate Mitigation — designing emissions reduction pathways and interventions across key sectors
• GHG Inventory & Carbon Accounting — applying IPCC and other recognised methodologies
• Climate Risk Assessment — integrating physical and transition risk into planning frameworks
• Urban Resilience — embedding climate resilience into city and regional development planning
• MRV Systems — designing and operationalising monitoring, reporting, and verification frameworks