About the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)

Established in 1976, NIUA, is a premier Institute of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India for research and capacity building for urban sector in India. NIUA’s broad objective is to bridge the gap between research and practice on issues related to urbanization. For more than 40 years now, NIUA has been the vanguard for contributing to and building the urban narrative for a fast-evolving Urban India. The Institution has been actively working on bringing forth key areas of concern for urban India in order to build the urban discourse at various urban scales. It has utilized its competencies in research, knowledge management, policy advocacy and capacity building to address urban challenges and continuously striving to develop sustainable, inclusive, and productive urban ecosystems in the country. It has emerged as a thought leader and knowledge hub for urban development in India and is sought out by both Indian and International organizations for collaborations and partnerships in India’s urban transforming journey. NIUA is committed towards aligning its efforts towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through all its initiatives and programs.

About NIUA’s Water and Environment Vertical

The Water and Environment vertical at NIUA focuses on creating frameworks, mechanisms, and pathways that enable Indian cities to manage their water and environmental sectors sustainably. Aligned with India's Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, our efforts are geared towards driving tangible, on-ground change. We collaborate with the Ministry to implement various national Urban Missions and initiatives that impact urban water and environmental management. Additionally, we partner with a wide array of national and international resource organizations with similar goals and mandates.

Our work in urban water and environmental management typically includes:

• Developing national-level strategic frameworks, guidance documents, and advisories to facilitate actionable outcomes across all cities.

• Creating digital tools and instruments to help cities advance their capabilities.

• Conducting action-oriented research on emerging, underexplored topics.

• Supporting the piloting of innovative concepts and technologies through demonstration projects.

• Designing specialized capacity-building modules and certification programs.

Urban River Management Plan for Delhi (Code: URMP-DELHI): The objective of this project is to develop an Urban River Management Plan (URMP) for Delhi based on the URMP framework propounded by NIUA and the National Mission for Clean Ganga. The plan will involve identifying actions (planning, regulatory, institutional, legal, and on-the-ground project interventions) for improving the state of the Yamuna River. The project team will work closely with the different Central and State government agencies in Delhi as well other non-governmental and academic organizations for the development of the Plan.

Core Responsibilities:

1. 1. Conduct baseline assessments of terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity in and around the urban river corridor.
   2. Prepare an ecological inventory of flora, fauna, wetlands, and riparian habitats, identify biodiversity hotspots, and threatened species.
   3. Recommend ecological buffers, green corridors, and habitat restoration zones as inputs into the URMP.
   4. Develop strategies for enhancing ecological connectivity and native biodiversity within urban river landscapes.
   5. Support the development of biodiversity-sensitive zoning guidelines and urban planning codes.
   6. Align biodiversity recommendations with national and state-level policies (e.g., Wetlands Rules, Biodiversity Act, Master Plan).
   7. Provide inputs into urban design, landscaping, and storm water management that promote habitat value and reduce ecological disruption.
   8. Recommend biodiversity indicators to evaluate the success of the URMP implementation.

Education Qualifications & Experience

1. Master’s or Ph.D. in Ecology, Environmental Science, Wildlife Biology, Botany, Zoology, or a related field.
2. 7-10 years of relevant experience in biodiversity conservation, ecological planning, or urban ecosystem management.
3. Demonstrated experience in conducting ecological surveys and developing biodiversity conservation strategies.
4. Familiarity with urban planning, green infrastructure, riverine ecology, and climate adaptation approaches is highly desirable.
5. Knowledge of applicable laws and frameworks such as the Biological Diversity Act, Environment Protection Act, etc.
6. Strong analytical and field-based ecological assessment skills.
7. Ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams and translate ecological data into planning and policy recommendations.
8. Excellent writing and communication skills in English. Preference will be given to candidates with oral and written communication skills in Hindi and other regional languages as well.
9. GIS mapping skills and familiarity with remote sensing tools will be considered a plus.

Application Process –

• Interested candidates are required to submit a detailed CV that highlights relevant experience via the NIUA portal. The application deadline is 28 August 2025.
• Because of the urgency of the assignment, applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis and interviews conducted periodically.

• Candidates are encouraged to provide at least two professional references to verify their professional credentials.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. Shortlisted candidates may choose to attend the interview online. A link for the interview will be provided by the recruitment team in advance.
• If necessary, the selection committee may invite candidates for a second round of in-person interviews.
• No TA/DA will be provided for attending the interview.