Vacancy Announcement
Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Office of the Director-General (ODG)
Publication Date: 20 May 2026
Deadline For Application: 19 June 2026 (at midnight, Abu Dhabi local Time)
Title and Grade: Chief of IRENA Liaison Office in Vienna, P-4
Indicative Annual Salary: (a.) Annual Net Salary: USD 86,027.04 to USD 97,259.04[1]
(b.) Post Adjustment: USD 48,433.20 to USD 54,756.84[2]
Duration of Appointment: Two Years, with possible extension
Duty Station: Vienna, Austria
Entry on Duty: As soon as possible
The International Renewable Energy Agency is an inter-governmental organisation headquartered in Abu Dhabi, mandated to promote the widespread and increased adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity. IRENA’s mission is to play a leading role in the ongoing transformation of the global energy systems as a centre of excellence for knowledge and innovation, a global voice of renewable energy, a network hub for all stakeholders and a source of advice and support for countries. At present, IRENA has 171 Members (170 States and the European Union) that acceded to its Statute, and 14 additional States in the process of accession and actively engaged.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the Director-General and the supervision of the Chief of Staff, the Chief of IRENA Liaison Office in Vienna is responsible for the following:
- Maintain regular communication with, and provide briefings and reports to, the Director-General and relevant IRENA divisions on significant developments within the Vienna-based UN system and related international organisations that are relevant to IRENA’s mandate, priorities and programme of work;
- Represent IRENA and participate, as appropriate, in meetings of Vienna-based United Nations entities, intergovernmental bodies, and other relevant international forums, including meetings related to energy, climate change, sustainable development and industrial development;
- Support and contribute to IRENA’s engagement with Vienna-based UN entities and international organisations, including but not limited to UNIDO, SEforALL, the UN Secretariat offices in Vienna, and other energy- and climate-relevant institutions, with a view to strengthening collaboration, coherence and joint initiatives;
- Manage the day-to-day operations and administration of the IRENA Liaison Office in Vienna, including providing guidance to office staff and ensuring compliance with IRENA’s rules, regulations and procedures;
- Contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the programme of work and budget of the IRENA Liaison Office in Vienna, in line with IRENA’s overall strategic priorities and approved resources;
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Permanent Missions accredited to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), relevant host country authorities, the UN Secretariat, and other key stakeholders in Vienna;
- Coordinate closely with IRENA programmatic divisions to identify opportunities for substantive engagement and contribution to Vienna-based UN processes, meetings and initiatives, and facilitate IRENA’s participation where relevant;
- Promote the visibility and understanding of IRENA’s mandate, analytical work, policy advice and strategic initiatives within the Vienna-based multilateral community, ensuring that IRENA’s contributions to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and related global commitments are appropriately reflected;
- Support the implementation of IRENA’s broader strategy for engagement with the United Nations system by contributing to coordination and information-sharing between the Vienna Liaison Office, Headquarters and IRENA New York Office;
- Monitor international developments related to energy transition, climate change and sustainable development that are relevant to Vienna-based processes, and identify areas where IRENA can provide value-added technical input, data, or policy support;
- Provide logistical, substantive and coordination support to the Director-General and IRENA staff during official missions to Vienna and participation in major meetings and events;
- Assist in the organisation of outreach activities, briefings and side events in Vienna, in collaboration with IRENA Headquarters and relevant partners;
- Proactively disseminate information on IRENA’s key activities, publications and initiatives to Vienna-based stakeholders, as appropriate.
Competencies
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others; correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds; ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with outside collaborators and other contacts, including representatives of IRENA Members and the public.
Professionalism: Knowledge in the area of organising and preparing for substantive meetings to discuss technical, programmatic and institutional matters, in line with the necessary policies, procedures and practices; ability to research and systematically organise background material, select, organise and summarise information required for the preparation of meetings and conferences; conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
Accountability: Fair and transparent decision-making and calculated risk-taking; take ownership for all responsibilities and honour commitment; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes ownership of delegated responsibilities and authorities; take personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable; operates in compliance with organisational regulations and rules.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be ‘’clients’’ and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view: establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors on-going developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Qualifications
Education: An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in International Relations, Political Science, Law, Public Administration, or a related field, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree
Experience: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience at national and international levels in international cooperation, multilateral affairs, policy coordination or related areas is required. Experience in the United Nations system or other intergovernmental organisations is highly desirable. Knowledge of sustainable development, climate change and energy transition issues is required. Prior experience engaging with Vienna-based UN entities and international organisations would be an asset.
Languages: Excellent command of written and spoken English is required. Fluency in German is an asset. Strong drafting skills are an asset.
Other: Working knowledge of MS Office with emphasis on Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and on the application of data base systems.
Note: Qualified candidates must apply for the abovementioned vacancy on-line, through recruitment platform, by submitting a complete and comprehensive CV and a letter of interest, including details of three professional references who will be contacted if their application is shortlisted.
Applications from qualified women are highly encouraged.
Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for further assessment and receive notice of the final outcome of the selection process.
[1]For more information on the Net Salary please visit the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) website http:/icsc.un.org/.
[2] Post adjustment multiplier for Vienna is currently 56.30% of the Annual Net Salary; determined by the ICSC and subject to change. Other benefits include 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, health insurance scheme and rental subsidy. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and relocation expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, settling-in grant and other entitlements as applicable.