Market Shaping Lead

Program Overview

Lead (Pb) exposure is a silent yet devastating global health crisis, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Research from UNICEF and other partners estimates that 1 in 2 children in LMICs have elevated blood lead levels, contributing neurological damage, reduced cognitive development, and a variety of health impacts. Lead exposure in India arises from multiple sources, with leaded decorative paints and used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) representing the two most significant. Despite a regulatory limit of 90 ppm for lead in decorative paints, widespread non-compliance among SME manufacturers means lead chromate pigments continue to enter the paint supply chain. ULABs are the single largest source of secondary lead in India, with approximately 1.1 million metric tonnes generated annually across the automotive, telecom, inverter, and UPS sectors; informal recycling of spent batteries releases lead into surrounding communities, disproportionately affecting children.

Position Summary

We are seeking an analytically rigorous and entrepreneurial individual to lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of WJCF's market shaping interventions. The incumbent will drive value chain analysis, pilot design, SPCB capacity building, and policy advocacy working across government, private sector, and civil society actors in a complex regulatory environment. The role sits at the intersection of commercial strategy, environmental health, and government engagement. The incumbent will report to the Associate Director, WJCF.

Responsibilities

• Procurement Chain Mapping and Buyer Engagement

• Map the full procurement chain in each target sector: who procures, pays, uses, and bears replacement costs
• Determine which intervention levers are viable
• Validate sectoral focus and market segmentation of LAB users across institutional buyer categories including telecom, railways, government fleets, and public utilities
• Assess regulatory and procurement standards landscape governing LAB procurement in target sectors
• Begin structured engagement with large institutional buyers to assess battery specifications, procurement cycles, switching openness, and buyer-user alignment
• Identify alternative levers where direct buyer-user alignment is absent
• Apply a structured evaluation framework (unit economics, feasibility, cost–benefit, risk, scenario analysis, scalability) to assess and prioritize intervention ideas

• TCO and Supplier Analysis

• Complete TCO analysis incorporating local pricing, import dynamics, non-price barriers, and landed cost data
• Conduct supplier mapping of domestic and global manufacturers of longer-lasting LABs

• End-of-Life and Recycler Flow Assessment

• Map ULAB flows from high-volume institutional sectors to understand current end-of-life practices
• Assess whether a credible pathway exists to redirect a meaningful share of ULABs toward higher-standard CPCB-registered recyclers

• Transition to Lead-Free Paints

• Support the scoping and implementation of targeted pilot interventions to enable industry transition to lead-free paints, including addressing SME barriers to transition, supply chain solutions, and related market-shaping measures

• Pilot Planning & Design

• Develop detailed pilot blueprints for selected interventions: implementation plans, resource requirements, partnerships, budgets, timelines, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies
• Design outcomes-based measurement & evaluation framework for each pilot: define metrics, data collection plans, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools
• Prepare implementation toolkits and support materials for roll-out as needed

• Donor Engagement and Reporting

• Prepare progress reports, concept notes, and funding documentation
• Maintain programme tracking tools and contribute to cross-programme milestone monitoring
• Support proposal development as needed (concept notes, funding proposals, progress reports)

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in environmental management, business administration, economics, or a related field

• Minimum 6-8 years of relevant experience with a strong analytical core doing market assessment, supply chain analysis, commercial strategy, or policy analysis

• Demonstrated experience in primary research: stakeholder interviews, value chain mapping, or market assessments in complex, multi-stakeholder environments

• Familiarity with India's regulatory environment for waste management, environment, or related sectors

• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills; comfort building unit economics or financial models

• Exceptional strategic development skills with the ability to identify and pursue high-impact strategies in complex, uncertain and evolving environments

• Excellent communication skills with ability to produce high-quality reports, briefings, and presentations for government, donor, and technical audiences

• Entrepreneurial mindset, ability to work independently, and propose and implement new initiatives

Preferred Experience

• In environmental health, hazardous waste management, or circular economy sectors in India

• Prior exposure to EPR frameworks, battery sector value chains, battery recycling or CPCB/SPCB regulatory processes

• Background in market shaping or supply chain interventions

• Familiarity with donor-funded programme management