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Head of Clean Energy Ministerial Secretariat

Paris

  • Organization: OECD - Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
  • Location: Paris
  • Grade: Junior level - A2 - Grade band
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Environment
    • Renewable Energy sector
    • Climate Change
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

THE OECD – Who we are, what we do

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries, whose mission is to build better policies for better lives. We promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.  Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work to establish evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a broad range of social, economic and environmental challenges, from the improvement of economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion. We provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.

The International Energy Agency

The Secretariat for the Clean Energy Ministerial is housed within the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris, France. The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an intergovernmental organisation committed to advancing security of energy supply, economic growth, and environmental sustainability through energy policy co-operation. The IEA operates as an autonomous body within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The Clean Energy Ministerial

The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) brings together the world’s leading countries, companies, and experts to achieve one mission – accelerate clean energy transitions. It is about “international collaboration in action”, seeking to deliver faster, cheaper, better clean energy transitions for all. The CEM is an international clean energy leadership and collaboration platform, with its 29 members at the heart of an extensive global clean energy community. The community is working to supercharge the scale and breadth of clean energy transitions, working across all sectors and all of society. More specifically, the CEM serves as\:

  • A platform for its community to shape the global clean energy agenda and accelerate the deployment of clean energy solutions.
  • A forum for exchanging knowledge and insights, building networks and partnership, and facilitating coordinated actions on clean energy.
  • An implementation vehicle that helps its global community achieve their clean energy goals.

The CEM has a programme of more than twenty active workstreams that span the clean energy spectrum, as well as an annual ministerial meeting that brings its global community together to showcase action and increase ambition.

In June 2016, a decision was taken to establish a multilateral CEM Secretariat hosted at the IEA. The CEM Secretariat plays a very important role in supporting CEM Members, helping them in their efforts to identify new opportunities, to build new partnerships, to diversify sources of funding and to deliver high-impact results.  With interest in the CEM continuing to grow, in terms of both new work and new membership requests, this focus on enhancing impact is a high priority for the CEM.

Other key functions of the CEM Secretariat include\: connecting high-level strategic and political guidance from ministers with the day-to-day activities of the CEM, overseeing the CEM Preparatory and Ministerial meetings, supporting the development, direction, and review of CEM activities and integrating international expertise on a diverse set of clean energy issues into the work of the CEM.  

THE POSITION

We are therefore seeking to recruit a dynamic and visionary Head of Secretariat from a CEM member country to lead the work of the CEM. The selected candidate will oversee the implementation of the CEM Secretariat’s ongoing work with CEM Members, the CEM’s technical workstreams and their partner organisations, under the direction and in close collaboration with the CEM Steering Committee. S/he will manage a small team of enthusiastic professionals. This is a small, friendly, hardworking, and flexible team that puts a premium on looking out for, and after, one another.

Interested potential candidates are recommended to visit the Clean Energy Ministerial website (www.cleanenergyministerial.org) for more information regarding its mission and strategy, the work programme, the ministerial meeting, and the role of Secretariat.

Main Responsibilities

Leadership

  • In partnership with ministerial host governments, work with the CEM Steering Committee members, the Sherpa Group and ministers to develop agendas that deliver on strategic priorities.
  • Translate high-level strategic guidance from CEM ministers, the Sherpas’ Group and the Steering Committee into the day-to-day activities of the CEM’s technical work, known as initiatives and campaigns.
  • Play a leading role in preparation of CEM preparatory and ministerial meetings, as well as other year-round CEM initiatives and campaigns.
  • Actively develop and execute a funding strategy in order to help CEM initiatives and campaigns secure increased, steady, flexible and reliable resources for initiatives and campaigns.
  • Drive forward the efforts of CEM workstreams to enhance their impact in the clean energy space and identify new opportunities to diversify their partnerships.  This will require establishing strong relationships with the CEM Members leading the workstreams as well as world-class expert organisations that are well-placed to deliver CEM work.

Representation and Liaison

  • Establish and maintain close contacts with international organisations, expert organisations, foundations, the private sector and other stakeholders to build awareness and support for CEM initiatives and campaigns. Identify synergies with CEM work and assist initiative lead governments with the development of appropriate partnerships.
  • Promote the work of the CEM through participation in events, workshops, and other high-level meetings and conferences. Represent the CEM Secretariat in international fora, including fora such as G7, G20 and UNFCC COP events.
  • Conduct sustained and broad relationship-building with CEM ministers, government representatives, international bodies, and other partners and stakeholders, including the IEA where the CEM Secretariat is based. Seek to maximise the analytical synergies between the activities of the CEM and the work carried out at the IEA and other international bodies.
  • Liaise with the CEM Steering Committee and participate in its meetings to support its key functions as outlined in the CEM Framework document, including ensuring the CEM is delivering on its priorities and is providing maximum value to all members. Identify opportunities to support CEM initiatives, campaigns and the broader CEM efforts.

Management and Co-ordination

  • Provide overall management for the CEM Secretariat functions which are centred around the following key pillars\: (i) engaging and advising CEM Members, (ii) supporting CEM workstreams, (iii) funding and technical collaboration, (iv) institutional matters, (v) operational and ministerial meeting support; and (vi) impactful communications.
  • Lead, motivate and develop a multinational team of dynamic and dedicated professionals who each have their own portfolio of country, workstream and other responsibilities. 
  • Ensure that limited CEM Secretariat resources are used effectively and efficiently and that requirements are met in terms of fundraising for the CEM Secretariat function, annual budget reporting and donor reporting. Help co-ordinate and steer any funding mechanisms established to support initiative and campaign activities.
  • Adhere to and promote the highest professional standards and the ethical principles of the OECD's Code of Conduct in all internal and external matters. Ensure a caring environment where managers promote, respect and support staff in developing their full potential.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic and Professional Background

  • Advanced university degree(s) in relevant disciplines, such as international relations, political sciences, energy policy, science, engineering or economics.
  • At least 10 years’ extensive practical knowledge and experience at a senior management level of clean energy, and other issues falling within the scope of the CEM’s activity, through work in a national administration or international organisation. Familiarity with clean energy policies, regulation, market design, as well as technology and emissions-related issues associated with energy production and use.
  • The vision and analytical ability to anticipate major emerging issues in energy.
  • Very good understanding of administrative and budgetary processes in major publicly-funded institutions. Capabilities and experience in fundraising from governments, foundations and/or industry would be an asset.
  • Sensitivity to the political issues and sensibilities within and between countries and cultures, with an ability to identify areas of mutual interest between stakeholders. Proven track record in conducting relations at a senior level within a political decision-making multinational environment, including a demonstrated ability to engage at a senior level.
  • Extensive experience in managing and motivating high performing, multidisciplinary and diverse teams and developing people and policy programmes, as demonstrated through progressive and increasingly high level management responsibilities and management training.

Communication and Languages

  • Fluent in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and a knowledge of, or a willingness to learn, the other.
  • Knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

Core Competencies

  • For this role, the following competencies would be particularly important\: Achievement focus, Analytical thinking, Drafting skills, Diplomatic sensitivity, Flexible thinking, Attracting and managing and steering resources, Teamwork and Team leadership.
  • Please refer to level 5 indicators of the OECD Core Competencies.

Contract Duration

  • Fixed term appointment to align with the mandate of the CEM Secretariat, with the possibility of renewal. Initial contract duration will be confirmed at the time of offer.

Please note that our Rules and Regulations stipulate that the mandatory retirement age is 65.

What the OECD offers

  • Monthly base salary starting from 12,590.14 plus allowances, based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
  • Please note that the appointment may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

Process

All applications are screened based on the criteria for the position.  For candidates who are screened-in, written tests and/or video-recorded interviews are foreseen around mid January and panel interviews are planned for the latter weeks of February. A leadership assessment will also be requested by candidates in the final selection stage.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates who are nationals of OECD Member Countries and CEM Member Countries, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities. Our selection processes are merit-based; we strive to enhance diversity both from national and gender perspectives while running fair, transparent and competitive selection processes.

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.

Learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.

Browse our People Management Guidebook to learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and on policies supporting staff in their daily life.

This vacancy is now closed.
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