Programme Officer

VacancyAnnouncement

Secretariat ofInternational Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Division of ProjectFacilitation and Support (PFS)

Publication/TransmissionDate: 4 September 2024

Deadline For Application: 3October 2024 (at midnight Abu DhabiTime)

Title and Grade: Programme OfficerTechnical Advisory Services P4

Indicative Annual Salary: (a)Annual Net Salary 1 : USD77326 to USD 87422

(b) PostAdjustment 2 : USD 58613.11to USD 66265.88

Duration ofAppointment: Two years with possible extension

Duty Station: Abu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates

ExpectedDate for Entry on Duty: As soon as possible

(Thisis a readvertisement of the vacancy announcement that closed on 28September 2023. Candidates who had previously applied need notreapply).

Background

The International Renewable EnergyAgency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organisation mandated withthe widespread and increased adoption and sustainable use of allforms of renewable energy. At present IRENA has 170 Members (169States and the European Union) that acceded to its Statute and 14additional States in the process of accession. IRENA supportscountries in their transition to a sustainable energy future andserves as the principal platform for international cooperation acentre of excellence and a repository of policy technology resourceand financial knowledge on renewable energy. The Agency implementsits mandate with the view of sustainable development increasedenergy security and lowcarbon economic growth andprosperity.

The Project Facilitation and Support(PFS) division integrates all the previous initiatives of IRENArelated to project facilitation. It aims to achieve a tangibleimpact by facilitating funding and investments for promisingprojects coorganising regional Investment Forums with matchmakingevents and fostering cooperation between international institutionswith compatible objectives. One of the main instruments is theClimate Investment Platform (CIP) a joint initiative of IRENA theGreen Climate Fund (GCF) the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL). The activitiesinclude the preparation of projects support to the partners who canhelp projects to achieve financial close and the organisation ofinternational and regional matchmaking events where project ownerslenders investors and donors can meet.

Otherresponsibilities include the development and promotion of projectfacilitation tools like the Energy Transition Accelerator FinancingPlatform (ETAF) and the Open Solar Contracts initiative. All theseinitiatives have in common that they help attract investments inthe renewable energy sector and provide directly relevant supportto projects.

1 IRENA provides similar ICSCbenefits and entitlements including rental subsidy education grant(for school aged children) annual leave health insurance providentfund etc.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Director ofPFS and direct supervision of the Senior Programme Officer ProjectFacilitation (P5) the Programme Officer P4 has the responsibilityto lead and coordinate the work of the Project Support / TechnicalAssistance Unit. This includes inparticular:

• Lead the implementation ofIRENAs technical assistance activities provided undercountryspecific and regional projects and programmes forgovernments regional energy organisations and otherstakeholders;
• Develop tools and techniques toassess the needs for support training and technical assistance andto set priorities
• Coordinate the formulationand implementation of the workplan for project implementationinterventions;
• Coordinate and lead collectivework of the Unit and contribution among and within relevantpartners including providing technical guidance on relevant projectissues
• Develop technical assistance andtraining programs in line with bestpractices;
• Supervise the consolidation acrossdivisions to gather required knowledge and expertise forcoordinated project input;
• Work and supportdevelopers and other IRENAs stakeholders in the analysis and propercompletion of the Project Development Reports to be submitted intothe Climate Investment Platform as well as the Energy TransitionAcceleration Financing Platform;
• Supervise theoverall project implementation support and interventions ensuringthat planned activities are carried out in a timely fashion;overseeing processes related to human and financial resourcemanagement procurement general administration security andinformation technology for the Unit;
• Lead theProject Facilitation and Support Division Capacity Buildingscollaborating and supporting other PFS Units during countriestraining activities provide technical expertise in training whereand when necessary including guidance for development of requiredtools and methodologies to assist project implementation anddevelop enabling frameworks for investmentscaleup;
• Develop strategies and techniques tomeasure the impact of the support that is provided byt the ProjectFacilitation and Support Division
• Reviewaggregated regular narrative and financial reports on undertakenactivities outputs and outcomes;
• Manage guideand train staff under their supervision; promote teamwork andcommunications among staff in the Unit and across PFS andorganisational boundaries;
• Contribute toestablishing and maintaining strengthened contacts with countrycounterparts and interlocutors development partners andstakeholders in implementation of the Unitsworkplan;
• Performs other relevant tasks asrequired.

Competencies

Professionalism:Excellence proven skills on the management and mentoringof multicultural and multidisciplinary teams knowledge on renewableenergy project financing and regulatory aspects in differentcontexts; ability to implement projects and programmes; familiaritywith renewable energy economics and technologies; demonstratesprofessional competence in subject matter and pays attention todetail; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitmentsobserving deadlines and achieving results; is motivated byprofessional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence whenfaced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm instressful situations. Knowledge in energy policy is aplus.

Communication: Excellentcommunication negotiation and presentation skills both oral andwritten; creates and promotes enabling environment for opencommunication; listens to others correctly interprets messages fromothers and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify andexhibits interest in having twoway communication; tailors languagetone style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness insharing information and keeping peopleinformed.

Accountability:Takes ownership for all responsibilities and honourscommitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibilitywithin prescribed time cost and quality standards; operates incompliance with organisational regulations and rules; supportspeers and colleagues provides oversight and takes ownership ofdelegated responsibilities; takes personal responsibility forhis/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit whereapplicable; operates in compliance with organisational regulationsand rules.

Teamwork: Workscollaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals;solicits input by genuinely valuing others ideas and expertise; iswilling to learn from others; places team agenda before personalagenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisioneven when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts jointresponsibility for teamshortcomings.

Planning and Organising:Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreedstrategies; proactively identifies priority activities to ensuresuccessful completion of work assigned. Able to effectively managedifferent tasks and goals simultaneously with short leadtimes

Qualifications

Education :Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) inengineering public policy political science energy managementsustainable development environment natural science financeeconomics or another relevant field. A first level universitydegree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted inlieu of the advanced universitydegree.

Experience : A minimumof seven years of experience in project finance public policyand/or energy sector some of which should be at the internationallevel and involve the private sector; experienced in management andmentoring multicultural and multidisciplinary teams; experience ininternational cooperation and in dealing with multilateral agenciesnetworks and forums; knowledge of policy and regulatory aspectsregarding renewable energy; experience in project developmentmanagement of complex international programmes energy financingprogrammes or renewable energy technology deployment. Experience inemerging markets and with the engagement of governments. Experiencein the design of training and technical assistanceprograms.

Language: Excellent command of written and spoken English.Knowledge of other UN languages isdesirable.

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Qualifiedcandidates must apply for the abovementioned vacancy online throughIRENAs recruitment platform ORC by submitting acomplete and comprehensive CV and a letter of interest includingdetails of three professional references who will be contacted iftheir application is shortlisted.

Applicationsfrom qualified women especially from nationals of developingcountries are highly encouraged.

Please note thatonly candidates under serious consideration will be contacted foran interview and will receive notice of the outcome of theselection process.

1For more information on the Net Salary please visit theInternational Civil Service Commission (ICSC) websiteconfidential

2 Thepost adjustment is a variable component that is adjustedperiodically to reflect changes in the cost of living in a dutystation. Post adjustment multiplier for Abu Dhabi duty station iscurrently 75.8% determined by the International Civil ServiceCommission and subject to change without prior notice. Otherbenefits include 30 days annual leave dependency benefits healthinsurance scheme and rental subsidy. Benefits for internationallyrecruited staff may include home leave travel and relocationexpenses on appointment and separation education grant fordependent children settlingin grant and other entitlements asapplicable.