Working at IRENA

Unique opportunity to work in a dynamic, multicultural environment

Newsletter

Working in the Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) gives you a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic, multicultural environment and contribute to advancing the widespread and increased adoption and use of renewable energy toward a sustainable energy future. IRENA welcomes applications from nationals of all countries and strongly encourages women to apply.

“Renewable energy delivers jobs, delivers on sustainable economic development (…)”

“Renewable energy delivers jobs, delivers on sustainable economic development and will deliver a viable climate solution. It is the competitive backbone of global energy decarbonisation and an essential and ready instrument to achieve the Paris Agreement Goals”

Francesco La Camera
Francesco La Camera Director-General

Why IRENA

As part of our multi-national team of dedicated and passionate team of experts you will have the opportunity to promote the widespread adoption of renewable energy, combat climate change and take part in global sustainable development. IRENA is a dynamic, multi-cultural workplace committed to diversity, including dedicated women and men of all nationalities, religious and ethnic backgrounds. Our multi-national team takes pride in promoting renewable energy, helping to combat climate change and contributing actively to global sustainable development. The transition to renewables is creating numerous employment opportunities. The sector now employs more than 11 million people worldwide, with more countries manufacturing, trading and installing renewable energy technologies every year. Notable 32% of those jobs are held by women.

Our values

  • Professionalism

    Staff members need to be mindful of the duty to serve the collective interest of the international community as effectively and efficiently as possible. In carrying out daily activities, staff members are expected to keep abreast of the latest developments in their respective areas of work.
  • Integrity

    Integrity is a core value in all aspects of professional conduct and personal behaviour. Integrity includes honesty, truthfulness, impartiality, reliability, and incorruptibility. The integrity of the Agency greatly depends on the integrity of its staff and other personnel, and on their loyalty to the Agency.
  • Diversity

    The diversity of the workforce is an invaluable asset to the Agency s mission, as it brings together individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, and professional experience. Staff are expected to embrace and respect diversity, with its potential to enrich interactions with colleagues and thereby enrich work.

We are looking for

IRENA employees uphold high standards of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity as our core values. If you are passionate about the promise of renewable energy and committed to achieving a sustainable global energy future, we would like to hear from you.

Careers at glance

Staff members in these categories are normally internationally recruited. Work in these categories demands analytical and communication skills, substantive expertise and/or managerial and leadership ability.

Basic requirements: Minimum two years of relevant professional work experience (P-2) to more than 15 years of work experience (Director Level). Normally, an advanced university degree is required, however, a first-level university degree, combined with sufficient years of qualifying relevant work experience, may also be considered. Excellent command of English, both written and spoken. Knowledge of another language may be an asset.

Staff in this category are generally recruited locally from the area in which the IRENA office is located but could be of any nationality. The work of General Service staff supports the functioning of the Agency and includes administrative, secretarial and clerical support as well as specialised technical functions. Staff in this category may perform work in various administrative roles (e.g. human resources, finance, procurement, general services, information systems and communication technology, etc.) or may provide support to substantive programmes.

Basic requirements: High school diploma or equivalent is normally required, and additional education or training at a technical level is desirable. The level of the position determines the required number of years of work experience relevant to the job, which is specified in the vacancy announcement. Excellent command of English, both written and spoken. Knowledge of another language may be an asset.

IRENA offers some job opportunities under a Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme. The Programme provides young professionals an opportunity to acquire hands-on work experience in the Agency, and enhances the source of potential future talents for IRENA. JPOs work as a professional staff member under the guidance of a senior professional.

The purpose of the Associate Professional Programme is to enable talented young university graduates and post-graduates to gain first-hand professional work experience in IRENA’s work and a deeper insight into its global role in promoting renewable energy. The programme offers valuable exposure to IRENA’s main activities, operations and programmatic areas. Associate Professionals are normally engaged for an initial duration of one year, which may be renewed for another year subject to the needs of service.

Basic requirements: Advanced university degree or a first-level university degree, preferably combined with relevant work experience. Excellent command of English, both written and spoken. Knowledge of another language may be desirable.

IRENA frequently engages experts under individual consultant contracts to work on short-term projects or assignments. A consultant is a recognised authority or specialist in a specific field, engaged by the Agency in an advisory or consultative capacity or to provide expertise, skills or knowledge for the performance of a specific task or assignment, which may involve analysing issues, conducting seminars or training courses, preparing documents for conferences and meetings, or writing reports on matters within their area of expertise.

IRENA’s internship programme provides an opportunity for graduate and/or university students from diverse academic backgrounds to enhance their educational experience through practical work assignments. It allows selected candidates to gain direct exposure and insight into the work of the Agency and provides a learning opportunity in various professional fields. Internship duration is normally between two and six months.

Eligibility: Candidate should normally be enrolled in a post-graduate programme or in their final year of undergraduate programme. Recent graduates can also be included in the internship programme provided the start date of the internship is less than six months from completion of studies.

Stipend: Interns receive monthly stipend to assist them to cover living and accommodation expenses.

Travel: Round-trip air or rail ticket is provided to interns who reside beyond commuting distance from the duty station.

IRENA has initiated a Capacity Building Programme for professionals from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Islands Developing States (SIDS). The programme will provide an opportunity for young professionals who are nationals from LDCs and SIDS, with the agreement and support of their governments, to serve at IRENA Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates or at its office in Bonn, Germany, for a period of one year (renewable to two years) aiming to build capacity for addressing renewable energy issues in SIDS and LDCs and to provide experience in an intergovernmental organisation setting. Participating governments would be asked to release selected employees to the Agency, for a period of one or two years, on a loan arrangement, whereby the government employee would continue to receive their salary and emoluments from the releasing government. The Agency will cover the cost of travel, medical insurance and pay a monthly lump sum to support the candidates with the cost of living, in line with the current Associate Professional programme benefits. The intent is that following the assignment, they will return to their releasing government. To ensure a transparent and competitive process, the Agency has advertised a vacancy notice on its website which specifies the occupational areas to be performed and the profiles that will be considered for the candidates from LDCs and SIDS. Once selected, the Agency would then contact the Government of the selected individual to enter into a loan agreement with the respective releasing office.

Monthly allowance: A living stipend to assist with accommodations and living in Abu Dhabi/Bonn.

Travel: For a complete list of LDC and SIDS countries, please refer to the following sites:
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/
https://www.un.org/

Compensation and benefits package

  • A dynamic and dedicated team of professionals
  • An attractive remuneration package, including competitive pay and excellent benefits
  • Education grant
  • A multi-cultural work environment
  • Provident Fund
  • Relocation grant
  • Opportunities for personal and professional growth
  • 30 days of annual leave
  • Health insurance

Strategy & work programme

The Medium-term Strategy 2023-2027

The Medium-term Strategy 2023-2027 (MTS) sets out a new direction for the Agency focused on urgent and targeted action, unparalleled international cooperation, and continuous innovation. Renewable energy is creating a vibrant climate for innovation, investment and new jobs, while sharing the benefits across communities and creating new economic opportunities. The strategy for the next five-year period therefore reflects a careful assessment of the context in which the Agency operates, as well as of the trends that indicate where its contribution to the sector and beyond would be most impactful.
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