Programme Officer -Technical Advisory Services, P-4

                                                 Vacancy Announcement

                          Secretariat of International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

                             Division of Project Facilitation and Support (PFS)

Publication/Transmission Date:        4 September 2024

Deadline For Application:                  3 October 2024 (at midnight, Abu Dhabi Time)

Title and Grade:                                Programme Officer -Technical Advisory Services, P-4

Indicative Annual Salary:                 (a) Annual Net Salary[1]:    USD 77,326 to USD 87,422

                                                            (b) Post Adjustment[2]:       USD 58,613.11 to USD 66,265.88

Duration of Appointment:                Two years, with possible extension

Duty Station:                                       Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Expected Date for Entry on Duty:     As soon as possible

(This is a re-advertisement of the vacancy announcement that closed on 28 September 2023. Candidates who had previously applied need not re-apply).

Background

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an inter-governmental organisation mandated with the widespread and increased adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy. At present, IRENA has 170 Members (169 States and the European Union) that acceded to its Statute, and 14 additional States in the process of accession. IRENA supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource, and financial knowledge on renewable energy. The Agency implements its mandate with the view of sustainable development, increased energy security, and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity. 

The Project Facilitation and Support (PFS) division integrates all the previous initiatives of IRENA related to project facilitation. It aims 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 with compatible objectives. One of the main instruments is 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 (SEforALL). 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 Energy Transition Accelerator Financing Platform (ETAF) and the Open Solar Contracts initiative. All these initiatives have in common that they help attract investments in the renewable energy sector and provide directly relevant support to projects.

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

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Director of PFS and direct supervision of the Senior Programme Officer – Project Facilitation (P-5), the Programme Officer, P-4, has the responsibility to lead and coordinate the work of the Project Support / Technical Assistance Unit. This includes, in particular:

• Lead the implementation of IRENA’s technical assistance activities provided under country-specific and regional projects and programmes for governments, regional energy organisations and other stakeholders;
• Develop tools and techniques to assess the needs for support, training and technical assistance and to set priorities
• Coordinate the formulation and implementation of the workplan for project implementation interventions;
• 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 the consolidation across divisions to gather required knowledge and expertise for coordinated project input;
• Work and support developers and other IRENA’s stakeholders, in the analysis and proper completion of the Project Development Reports to be submitted into the Climate Investment Platform as well as the Energy Transition Acceleration Financing Platform;
• Supervise the overall project implementation support and interventions, ensuring that planned activities are carried out in a timely fashion; overseeing processes related to human and financial resource management, procurement, general administration, security, and information technology for the Unit;
• Lead the Project Facilitation and Support Division Capacity Buildings, collaborating and supporting other PFS Units during countries’ 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 byt the Project Facilitation and Support Division
• 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;
• Performs other relevant tasks as required. 

Competencies

Professionalism: Excellence proven skills on the management and mentoring of multicultural and multidisciplinary teams, knowledge on renewable energy project financing and regulatory aspects in different contexts; ability to implement projects and programmes; familiarity with renewable energy economics and technologies; 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. Knowledge in energy policy is a plus.

Communication: Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills, both oral and written; 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.

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.

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.

Planning and Organising: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; proactively identifies priority activities to ensure successful completion of work assigned. Able to effectively manage different tasks and goals simultaneously with short lead times

Qualifications

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in engineering, public policy, political science, energy management, sustainable development, environment, natural science, finance, economics, 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 finance, public policy and/or energy sector, some of which should be at the international level and involve the private sector; experienced in management and mentoring multicultural and multidisciplinary teams; experience in international cooperation and in dealing with multilateral agencies, networks and forums; 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. Knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.

                                                               *****

Qualified candidates must apply for the above-mentioned vacancy on-line, through IRENA’s recruitment platform, ORC 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] For more information on the Net Salary please visit the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) website http://icsc.un.org/.

[2] The post adjustment is a variable component that is adjusted periodically to reflect changes in the cost of living in a duty station. Post adjustment multiplier for Abu Dhabi duty station is currently 75.8%, determined by the International Civil Service Commission and subject to change without prior notice. 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.