Geographical Expansion Research Fellow

About the Organization:

Oorja is a Farming-as-a-Service company that addresses the energy, agrarian,, and climate crises faced by smallholder farmers in India. We provide solar-powered irrigation and milling services on a pay-per-use basis to smallholder farmers previously reliant on fossil fuels. Oorja also provides complimentary Farmer Advisory services to its irrigation users. Agronomists provide Farmer Advisory services on best practices for each cultivation step, from soil preparation to precise input application to harvesting helping farmers adopt sustainable agricultural practices thereby reducing costs and increasing productivity. Decentralized solar power is a suitable technology, but the initial investment cost for these systems is prohibitively high. Oorja has pioneered an inclusive business model that removes the upfront cost barrier of equipment and reduces on-farm energy costs by up to 50%. This will accelerate the adoption of clean energy among smallholder farmers with limited financial capital, landholding, and social capital.

https://www.oorjasolutions.org/

Fellowship Description:

Oorja is seeking a research intern to support our geographical expansion efforts within the Partnerships Department. The intern will be integral in researching and identifying potential new geographies for the deployment of Oorja's solutions, with a particular focus on the Indian agricultural landscape. This role necessitates a quick learner who can grasp Oorja's theory of change and creatively apply it to identify suitable expansion opportunities. Key responsibilities include conducting comprehensive secondary research, understanding Oorja's deployment criteria, and recommending feasible geographies for expansion.
Responsibilities:
Understand Oorja's theory of change and apply it to identify potential geographies for expansion.
Evaluate the feasibility of expansion opportunities based on Oorja's deployment criteria, considering parameters such as ecology, vulnerability to climate change, topography, groundwater levels, and rainfall patterns.
Gather data from reliable sources to analyse and recommend suitable geographies for expansion.
Assess the need for solar-powered irrigation and milling services and potential on-ground partners in identified geographies.

Qualifications:

Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Sustainability, Social Entrepreneurship, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, or a relevant discipline.
Familiarity with Indian agricultural practices, social-cultural nuances, geography, and topography.
Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to gather, interpret, and present data effectively.
Detail-oriented and organized, capable of handling large volumes of information.
Proficient in PowerPoint, internet search engines, databases, and research tools.

Time Commitment: 30 hours / week