Senior Program Associate: Urban Designer

About us
WRI India, an independent knowledge organisation registered as India Resources Trust, provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, WRI India puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being. Know more: wri-india.org

Program Overview for Sustainable Cities and Transport

WRI India's urban development work aims to transform the way cities are planned and designed to ensure that urban development benefits people, nature and climate. We focus on integrated solutions to long-standing urban challenges, leveraging evidence-based data, applied research and our network of partners and experts. We collaborate at all levels with the government, city administrations, urban stakeholders and partners to help cities become resilient, low-carbon and liveable while balancing their socio-economic goals. Our work seeks to shape a future where cities work better for everyone. 

Job Highlight:

You will be primarily based in Mumbai to provide technical support to the Urban Development team, Leveraging expertise in Local Area Planning, Transit-Oriented Development, mixed use walkable neighborhoods, and inclusive public spaces. You will support ongoing and upcoming implementation and research initiatives, with a primary focus on the LAP projects in Mumbai.  You will report to the Senior Program Manager, Urban Development, WRI India.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide technical support across WRI India’s Urban Development initiatives, including Local Area Planning, Transit-Oriented Development, Complete Streets, walkable neighbourhoods, mixed-use urban design, and inclusive public spaces.

• Lead and support the preparation of technical deliverables in collaboration with project partners and stakeholders. This includes design development and review for Local Area Plans (LAPs) for TOD projects, conducting primary and secondary research, report writing, and preparing analytical outputs.

• Contribute to on-ground project implementation by supporting site activities, coordination efforts, stakeholder consultations, and execution of convenings and dialogues.

• Assist in the coordination and day-to-day management of the LAPs initiative, working closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure timely and effective delivery.

• Support the organization and facilitation of workshops, forums, coalitions, and conferences aligned with project goals.

• Undertake technical reviews and analysis of ongoing and proposed initiatives, and contribute to outputs such as design layouts, review notes, recommendations, reports, visualizations, and dashboards.

• Maintain regular communication with internal teams to track progress, ensure alignment with project objectives, and support timely reporting.

• Support relationship management with donors, implementation partners, and other stakeholders to enable smooth project execution.

• Contribute to the design and delivery of technical trainings and capacity-building programs for stakeholders, including those aligned with national and state urban missions.

Job Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or higher) in Urban Design, Urban Planning, Transport/Mobility Planning, or a related discipline. Specialization in Transit-Oriented Development, mixed-use planning, or sustainable urban development is desirable.

• 4 to 7 years of relevant professional experience in neighborhood, city, or regional planning, with a focus on the design and implementation of on-ground projects related to Transit-Oriented Development, mixed-use development, and neighborhood-scale interventions.

• Demonstrated expertise in inclusive, mobility-led urban planning approaches, including experience with micro-planning, form-based codes, active street design, and project implementation. Strong analytical skills, including both quantitative and qualitative data analysis, are required.

• Solid understanding of India’s urban development landscape, including planning frameworks, mobility patterns, and emerging environmental trends for building climate resilience such as Urban Greening, water-sensitive Urban Design, sponge city concepts, Blue-Green Infrastructure, nature-based solutions etc.

• Experience in research and design using tools and methods such as network analysis, integrated modelling, and neighbourhood-level planning strategies focused on walkability, inclusivity, and sustainability. Proficiency in GIS and design/visualization tools is highly desirable.

• Proven ability to manage stakeholder relationships, coordinate across teams, and oversee multiple workstreams effectively.

• Prior experience working in Mumbai is strongly preferred, including engagement with agencies such as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), MMRDA, CIDCO, or relevant government departments, as well as non-government stakeholders including academic institutions and civil society organizations.

• Strong communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and engage diverse stakeholders.

• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining quality and consistency of outputs.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in diverse team environments with cultural sensitivity and professionalism.

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex situations, develop practical strategies, and contribute to sustainable, context-responsive solutions.

Potential Salary and Benefits: INR 14,00,000 to 17,50,000 Per Annum

“Salary shall be commensurate with experience, skills, and internal parity. WRI India offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package.”

Location: Mumbai, India

Duration: 1 Year Term-Hire (Extendable based on performance and project requirements)

Start date: As soon as possible

List of Documents to be attached:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purpose.

How to Apply

Qualified applicants should apply online at www.wri.org/careers. All applications must be submitted online through this career portal in order to be formally considered. Only select applicants will be contacted for interview. There will be a writing test conducted with final candidates. Please do not contact program staff directly for this position.

Kindly note that WRI India’s recruitment process does not involve any payment at any stage. Applicants will never be asked to share bank account or financial information as part of the application. All official communication and offer letters are issued only through authorised WRI India email IDs.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) @WRI India

WRI India values and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion across all areas of our work and workforce. Integrating these values into our actions fosters a progressive and collaborative culture and can also enhance our impact. It is our responsibility to create a welcoming working environment for people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experience to learn together. We are responsible for fostering a safe and inclusive workplace where questions, concerns and information about diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our ongoing dialogue and development.

Learn more about WRI India’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Click Here

People-centric to the core:

We keep our people at the center of everything we do - from a welcoming work environment to benefits and a culture that encourages staff to stay healthy, happy, engaged, and growing.

Some of the non-monetary benefits that our staff get:

Health benefits: We cover health insurance for you and your loved ones for up to INR 8 lakhs

Term Insurance: Our term insurance policy covers life coverage of 50 lakhs per staff member

Employee Assistance program: Promoting mental well-being and supporting staff in achieving a satisfying work-life balance

Health & Nutrition: Personalized diet recommendation from a certified dietitian based on the physical health condition and lifestyle

Flexible work schedule: Alternative work arrangements for all who are eligible by nature of their job

Learning culture: Workshops and trainings to empower staff, encourage new learning opportunities

Rest and Recharge weeks: We encourage staff to take time off to rest, rejuvenate, upskill, and pursue their interests.

Our leave policy: Avail personal time off at 36 per year, along with public holidays, maternity, paternity, and adoption leaves.

Equal employment @WRI India

We believe in equal employment, it is our policy to recruit and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to caste, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, parental status, or disability.