Programme Officer - Technical Advisory Services, P-4

Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Deadline for Application\:                 05 October 2020 (at midnight, Abu Dhabi local time)

(a) Annual Net Salary\:                      USD 73,516 to USD 83,115[1]     

(b) Post Adjustment\:                         USD 48,152.98 to USD 54,440.33        

Duration of Appointment\:                Two years, with possible extension

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 to countries.  At present, IRENA has 161 Members (160 States and the European Union) that acceded to its Statute, and 22 additional States in the process of accession and actively engaged.

The Project Facilitation and Support (PFS) division is a new division that integrates all the previous initiatives of IRENA related to project facilitation. It has an ambitious goal to achieve a tangible impact by facilitating funding and investments for promising projects, co-organising regional investment forums with matchmaking events, and fostering cooperation between international institutions that have compatible objectives. One of the main instruments is the platform that organises IRENA’s contribution to the Climate Investment Platform (CIP), a joint initiative of IRENA, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All). The activities include the preparation of projects, support to the partners who can help projects to achieve financial close, and the organisation of international and regional matchmaking events where project owners, lenders, investors and donors can meet.

Other responsibilities include the development and promotion of project facilitation tools, like the Project Navigator, the Risk Assessment and Mitigation Platform and the Open Solar Contracts initiative. PFS further manages IRENA’s partnership with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and the development of a new funding facility. All these initiatives have in common that they help to attract investments in the renewable energy sector and provide support that is directly relevant to projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Director of PFS, the Programme Officer has the responsibility to lead and coordinate the work of the Project Support / Technical Assistance Unit.  This includes, in particular\:

• Develop tools and techniques to assess the needs for support, training and technical assistance and to set priorities;
• Coordinate formulation and implementation of the workplan for project implementation interventions;
• In coordination with the PFS Director, strategise and lead cooperation with UNDP and other agencies working on the projects on the ground;
• Coordinate and lead collective work of the Unit and contribution among and within relevant partners, including providing technical guidance on relevant project issues
• Develop technical assistance and training programs in line with best practices;
• Supervise consolidation across divisions to gather required knowledge and expertise for coordinated project input;
• Supervise overall project implementation support and interventions, ensuring that planned activities are carried out in a timely fashion; oversee processes related to human and financial resource management, procurement, general administration, security, and information technology for the Unit;
• Supervise countries’ capacity building and training activities, provide technical expertise in training where and when necessary, including guidance for development of required tools and methodologies to assist project implementation and develop enabling frameworks for investment scale-up;
• Develop strategies and techniques to measure the impact of the support that is provided;
• Review aggregated regular narrative and financial reports on undertaken activities, outputs and outcomes;
• Manage, guide and train staff under their supervision; promote teamwork and communications among staff in the Unit and across PFS and organisational boundaries;
• Contribute to establishing and maintaining strengthened contacts with country counterparts and interlocutors, development partners and stakeholders in implementation of the Unit’s workplan.

Professionalism\: Possess in-depth knowledge on energy policy and regulatory aspects in different contexts; ability to implement projects and programmes; familiarity with renewable energy economics and technologies; shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence in subject matter and pays attention to detail; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Communication\: Has excellent drafting ability and communication skills, both oral and written; excellent presentation and negotiations skills; creates and promotes enabling environment for open communication; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Ability to communicate effectively with various types of individuals and institutions.

Accountability\: Stands accountable for the accuracy and completeness of information under their control and handling of the information in a discreet and confidential manner; takes ownership for all responsibilities and honor commitments; 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; takes personal responsibility for their own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable; operates in compliance with organisational regulations and rules.

Teamwork\: Sets clear goals for team members and follows up on the implementation; 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.

Planning and Organising\: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities to ensure successful completion of work assigned.

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 ongoing 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.

Education\: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in engineering, policy, energy planning, sustainable development, environment, natural science or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience\: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the energy sector, some of which should be at the international level and involve the private sector; experience with the management of professional and multicultural teams; experience in international cooperation and in dealing with multilateral agencies, networks and forums; strong knowledge of policy and regulatory aspects regarding renewable energy; experience in project development, management of complex international programmes, energy financing programmes or renewable energy technology deployment. Experience in emerging markets and with the engagement of governments. Experience in the design of training and technical assistance programs.

Language\: Excellent command of written and spoken English. Fluency in Spanish is desirable. Knowledge of other languages is an advantage.  

Qualified candidates must apply for the above-mentioned vacancy on-line, through IRENA’s recruitment platform, Taleo 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, especially from nationals of developing countries, are highly encouraged.

Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for an interview and will receive notice of the outcome of the selection process.