International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Position description

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Director of Knowledge, Policy and Finance Centre, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Supervise activities under the Coalition for Action, IRENA’s multi-stakeholder engagement platform;
• Lead strategic direction and substantive knowledge outputs of the Coalition for Action with a focus on policy recommendations for countries or regions as applicable and that can feed into the analytical work of KPFC as well as other initiatives such as the IRENA Collaborative Frameworks, including on the just energy transition;
• Guide and conduct analytical work on key renewable energy trends and developments, including on the topics of environmental sustainability of renewable energy, corporate sourcing of renewables, citizen participation, etc.;
• Co-lead and facilitate substantive input and engagement with stakeholders and partners for work on Sustainable Energy Jobs;
• In coordination with other KPFC units, develop draft policy recommendations for countries or regions as applicable to accelerate the deployment of renewables and to promote sustainable development;
• Conceptualize collaboration opportunities and promote knowledge exchange between non governmental stakeholders, including civil society and private sector, and IRENA;
• Coordinate other written inputs, background papers, policy analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies;
• Represent IRENA in topical taskforces, working groups and international meetings;
• Provide substantive and strategic input to meetings and conferences, including organization of events;
• Perform other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has an excellent knowledge of policy and market trends across a range of renewable energy technologies and issues of renewable energy deployment. Has a sound understanding of policy processes in the energy sector at the national and international level. Has a proven ability to undertake high quality research on related topics, determines suitability, validity and accuracy of data and knowledge provided by different sources. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, paying attention to detail; 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
• Communication: Excellent drafting skills in English is an essential requirement for this position. Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; 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 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 hasresponsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes ownership ofdelegated responsibilities and authorities; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
• 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 on going 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.

Qualifications

• Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent), in economics, energy, environment, international relations or another relevant field, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of 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; very good knowledge of renewable energy technologies as well as related policy, regulatory, technical and institutional issues for its development; experience in international cooperation and in dealing with multi-stakeholder networks and forums ideally also working with the private sector;
• Language: Excellent command of written and spoken English. Fluency in other languages would be an important benefit.

Application instructions