Programme Officer – Project Facilitation Tools P-4

Vacancy Announcement

Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Division of Project Facilitation and Support

Publication Date\:                              29 July 2021

Deadline for Application\:                 18 August 2021 (at midnight, Abu Dhabi Local Time)

Title and Grade\: Programme Officer – Project Facilitation Tools P-4

Indicative Annual Salary\:                        USD 74,913 to USD 84,694 and other benefits[1]

Duration of Appointment\:                One year, with possible extension

Duty Station\:                                     Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Entry on Duty\:                                   As soon as possible

Background

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 164 Members (163 States and the European Union) that acceded to its Statute, and 20 additional States in the process of accession and actively engaged.

The Project Facilitation and Support (PFS) division 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. The division also organises IRENA’s contribution to the Climate Investment Platform (CIP), a joint initiative of IRENA, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) in cooperation with the Green Climate Fund (GCF). 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 of the division include the development and promotion of project facilitation tools, like 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 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 overall guidance of the Director of PFS and the direct supervision of the Head of the Project Facilitation unit, the Programme Officer will fulfil the following duties and responsibilities\:

• Support the development and optimisation of the project facilitation tools of IRENA, including the following responsibilities\:
• Ensure that existing and potential new project facilitation tools meet market needs and assess needs for new instruments. Research the market and collect input from inside IRENA.
• Facilitate the development of new features and tools\: prepare and validate specifications, organise the development and ensure that the tools meet the user’s expectations.
• Generate support for the tools among IRENA’s strategic partners and encourage partner institutions and Members to disseminate them.
• Develop marketing products and communication strategies to reach potential users and promoters, including the private sector.
• Ensure cooperation with other teams within IRENA in order to ensure that all project facilitation work is coordinated.

• Coordinate the use and promotion of the project facilitation tools in the context of the Climate Investment Platform (CIP), including the following responsibilities\:
• Oversee consolidation of input to coaching and mentoring programmes for project developers and countries based on identified needs of countries and investors.
• Coordinate the usage of the different tools in the context of funding initiatives in which IRENA is involved.
• Collect input from Investment Forums to guide the update of the different tools and ensure that they are meeting the needs of the different target audiences.
• Ensure that the different users and projects of the tools register in the Climate Investment Platform and participate in Investment Forums.
• Develop training modules and workshops that can be used in Investment Forums and Technical Assistance projects.

Competencies

Professionalism\: Possess in-depth knowledge of issues surrounding renewable energy, including financing, project management and risk mitigation; familiarity with renewable energy economics and technologies; good understanding of the lifecycle of a renewable energy project; 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\: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; 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.

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 the 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.

Accountability\: Takes ownership for all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organisational regulations and rules; supports peers and colleagues, provides oversight and takes ownership of delegated responsibilities; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable; operates in compliance with organisational regulations and rules.

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 the client.

Qualifications

Education\: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in engineering, energy management, finance, economics, sustainable development, environment or another relevant 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 experience in project development, project finance, energy financing programmes, development funding or renewable energy technology deployment. At least part of this experience is with the private sector. Proven ability to cooperate diplomatically in multicultural environments. Experience with intergovernmental processes is an advantage.

Language\: Excellent command of written and spoken English. Fluency in other languages would be an advantage.

Qualified candidates must apply for the above-mentioned vacancy online, 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.

[1] IRENA provides similar ICSC benefits and entitlements, including rental subsidy, education grant (for school aged children), annual leave, health insurance, provident fund, etc.