Consultant - Carbon Finance and MRV for Feeder-Level Solarisation

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), under the CGIAR Science Programs on Climate Action, is undertaking research to support low-emission transitions in agricultural systems through the integration of renewable energy and climate finance mechanisms by leveraging carbon markets in the context of feeder-level solarization.

The Climate Action Program envisions resilient food, land, and water (FLW) systems across the Global South that can withstand climate change, variability, and shocks, while operating equitably and contributing to global greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation. The Program aims to directly benefit millions of vulnerable small-scale producers and value chain actors, while supporting large-scale transitions through policy, finance, and institutional innovation. Research under the Program spans climate risk management, locally led adaptation, digital advisory systems, and low-emission transitions, supported by innovations in data systems, monitoring frameworks, and climate finance mechanisms.

Within this, Area of Work 4 (AoW4): Low-Emission Transitions focuses on enabling systemic shifts toward sustainable and equitable low-emission food systems. This includes the development of robust monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems, the use of geospatial and socioeconomic analysis, and the integration of technical, institutional, and policy innovations to support carbon mitigation pathways.

Within this component, in India, a key focus of the research is the integration of Feeder-Level Solarisation (FLS) with carbon markets to generate measurable, reportable, and verifiable (MRV) emission reductions while enhancing farmer livelihoods. FLS represents a systemic intervention in agricultural energy systems by enabling solar-based electricity generation at the feeder level, thereby reducing dependence on conventional grid electricity and fossil fuels.

To explore potential linkages with carbon credit programs, this research responds to the need for robust empirical evidence on:

• Energy use and irrigation behaviour under FLS systems.
• Additionality and emission reduction potential.
• Institutional and operational mechanisms for integrating FLS with carbon markets.
• Distributional aspects of potential carbon revenues.

The study aims to generate causal evidence on the impacts of FLS to support the development of MRV frameworks, carbon market integration pathways, and scalable implementation strategies aligned with national and sub-national energy transition efforts.

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The objective of this assignment is to develop a technically robust and implementable framework for enabling Feeder-Level Solarisation (FLS) projects under PM-KUSUM to participate in carbon markets. The assignment aims to establish the technical and institutional foundations required for generating high-integrity carbon credits from FLS interventions and ensuring the transparent, equitable, and sustainable distribution of carbon revenues among farmers, distribution companies (DISCOMs), implementing agencies, and other relevant stakeholders.

Specifically, the Consultant/Advisor will be responsible for:

• Developing a Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) framework that enables the credible quantification, monitoring, and verification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions achieved through FLS interventions, in line with internationally recognized carbon market standards.
• Designing a carbon revenue-sharing framework that proposes transparent, equitable, and financially sustainable mechanisms for distributing carbon revenues among farmers, DISCOMs, implementing agencies, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Reviewing relevant carbon market standards and methodologies applicable to FLS projects and identifying suitable approaches for carbon credit generation.
• Developing an MRV framework for FLS projects, including the emission accounting methodology, monitoring protocols, reporting procedures, verification requirements, and institutional arrangements aligned with internationally recognized carbon market standards.
• Identifying the technical, institutional, and policy requirements needed to operationalize carbon finance for FLS, thereby supporting the transition from subsidy-driven to market-based incentives for decarbonizing agricultural irrigation.
• Preparing and submitting the agreed deliverables, including draft and final MRV and carbon revenue-sharing frameworks, along with presentations to IWMI and project partners.

The assignment is expected to support the development of a scalable carbon finance model that can strengthen the long-term financial sustainability of feeder-level solarisation initiatives in India.

DELIVERABLES:

1. Deliverable 1: Inception Report - Brief inception report outlining the proposed approach for developing the MRV and carbon revenue-sharing frameworks.
2. Deliverable 2: Draft Frameworks - Draft Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) framework and draft carbon revenue-sharing framework, including presentations to IWMI and incorporation of preliminary feedback.
3. Deliverable 3: Final Report - Final MRV framework and carbon revenue-sharing framework incorporating comments from IWMI and stakeholders.

MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Essential:

• Postgraduate degree or bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Energy, Renewable Energy, Power Systems, Environmental Sciences, Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant professional experience in the energy/power or renewable energy sector.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, policy development/advisory, and implementation of large-scale energy/renewable energy programmes.
• Strong experience working with the Government of India, State Governments, utilities/DISCOMs, regulators, and other senior stakeholders.
• Experience providing strategic advice and engaging with senior bureaucrats, technocrats, and institutional partners.

Desirable:

• Experience in solar irrigation, feeder-level solarisation, PM-KUSUM, or similar renewable energy programmes.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Essential:

• Extensive knowledge of power systems, renewable energy, solar energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable energy transitions.
• Proven understanding of the energy–water–agriculture nexus and rural energy systems.

• Strong strategic advisory, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, networking, and communication skills, particularly with senior government and institutional stakeholders.
• Ability to provide high-level technical and policy advice and translate research/evidence into actionable recommendations.
• Strong leadership, coordination, and project management capabilities.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of carbon markets/carbon finance policies, emissions reduction, and climate-resilient development.
• Track record of technical publications, policy reports, or presentations in energy/renewable energy fields.

This is a nationally hired consultancy; therefore, individuals with relevant abilities are encouraged to apply. IWMI offers a competitive rate for this assignment. The duration of the contract will be for a period of two (02) months.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on August 31, 2026 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.