Associate Programme Officer – Middle East and North Africa, P-2

Vacancy Announcement

Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency 

Country Engagement and Partnerships (CEP) Division

Publication Date:                                2 July 2022

Deadline for Application:                  22 August 2022 (at midnight, Abu Dhabi Local Time)

Title and Grade:                                 Associate Programme Officer – Middle East and North Africa, P-2 

Indicative Annual Salary:                   USD 49,254 to USD 57,428_[1] 

Duration of Appointment                  One-year, with extension based on performance 

Duty Station:                                        Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Entry on Duty:                                    As soon as possible

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. 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 to sustainable development, increased energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity.

Country Engagement and Partnerships Division (CEP) leads the work with regions and countries. It supports them in the development and implementation of national and regional renewable energy strategies by contextualising the knowledge being developed in the other three divisions of IRENA to the national requirements. Its activities enable a systematic overview of the country and regional needs, experiences and trends to help facilitate cross-fertilisation of best practices between countries and regions, and shape IRENA's future programmatic priorities.

Renewables Readiness Assessments (RRAs): IRENA has developed the Renewables Readiness Assessment (RRA), a country-led process, with a comprehensive tool for assessing key conditions and the actions necessary to further create an enabling framework for renewable energy technology development and deployment. IRENA’s initiatives for promoting greater penetration of renewable electricity in power systems of the region complement the national engagement through the RRAs. These enable countries also to identify the actions that are required for optimal utilisation of renewable resources from a regional power planning perspective, keeping in view declining cost trends, the capacity to operate transmission grids with a greater share of renewable power, and human, financial, and institutional barriers to the expansion of renewable power options in the market. 

Investment Forums: IRENA is organising a series of Investment Forums in 14 clusters and sub-regions, consisting of three components, namely enabling frameworks for investment, project support and capacity building. Investment Forums will contribute to the materialisation of investments in renewable energy, with impacts on the ground.  IRENA has also launched project financing platforms such as the Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) platform and the Climate Investment Platform (CIP) to facilitate the flow of finance to renewable energy and energy transition projects, including in Middle East and North Africa (MENA). 

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and Long-term Low Greenhouse-gas Emission Development Strategies (LTS): IRENA is also providing support to countries in enhancing the renewable energy ambition in their NDCs and LTS and supporting the implementation of NDCs. The ongoing work on NDC enhancement and implementation is also providing an opportunity for IRENA to apply its body of work to support the achievement of the Paris Agreement. IRENA is currently engaging with over 80 countries on NDC support, including MENA. IRENA is also establishing a platform Energy Transition Connect (ETC) to support its work on NDCs, LTS and other requests from members. In addition, IRENA is also supporting several collaborative frameworks, including High Shares of renewable energy.

Pan Arab Clean Energy (PACE) Initiative: IRENA’s initiatives for promoting greater penetration of renewable electricity in power systems of the MENA region (incl. the Pan-Arab Clean energy initiative) complement the national engagement through the RRAs. This approach can have far-reaching implications for a clean and secure energy future for MENA.  IRENA has since worked with the Arab League, the Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) and other key regional partners to develop and implement activities outlined in the PACE Action Plan for accelerated deployment of renewables.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Director of the Country Engagement and Partnerships (CEP) Division and the immediate supervision of the Head of Regions, the Associate Programme Officer will in overall support the implementation of IRENA’s programmatic work as follows:

• Support IRENA’s active engagement with governments, regional organizations, private sector, and other relevant stakeholders in the execution of IRENA’s programmatic activities;
• Support the design, coordination and implementation of IRENA’s regional initiatives for promoting renewable energy deployment, including, the Pan Arab Clean Energy Initiative and Investment Forums as well as the regional capacity building programmes;
• Lead or assist in the implementation of RRAs and post-RRA support activities; support the coordination and implementation of NDC and LTS support activities;
• Be part of the energy transition for climate action team and support the coordination of MENA related country support activities across the Agency in terms of country coordination, analytics, reporting, information systems and knowledge management.
• Assist in identifying and facilitating the development and submission of project proposals on energy transition from the MENA region that could be considered for financial support through IRENA’s project financing platforms. Provide support in ensuring the projects securing financing reach commercial operation;
• Support in identifying regional initiatives in MENA for promoting energy transition and renewable energy deployment, forums and programmes, which could be effective platforms for collaboration in the region;
• Research trends, key topics, emerging issues and regional/national initiatives related to energy transition to support climate action and sustainable development;
• Organise and prepare written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.;
• Assist in the organisation of consultative workshops, investment forums, collaborative frameworks and platforms, technical meetings, ensuring effective participation of key stakeholders, experts and partners;
• Perform other duties, as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Demonstrated ability to work well with a team. Shows pride in work and achievements; 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 complex problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Communication: 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. Excellent drafting skills and ability to prepare reports that are clear, concise and meaningful. 
• 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. 
• 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 ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed. 
• Accountability: Accountable for the accuracy and completeness of information under his/her control and handling of the information in a discreet and confidential manner. 

Qualifications

Education: Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in engineering, economics, energy, international relations or another relevant field is required. A first university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in the energy sector, with exposure to climate change mitigation, some of which could be at the international level; experience in international cooperation and in dealing with multilateral agencies, networks and forums; strong knowledge of technical and policy aspects regarding renewable energy and climate change and knowledge of global development issues is an added value.

Language: Excellent command of both written and spoken English and Arabic. Working knowledge of French is desirable.

****

Qualified candidates must apply for the abovementioned vacancy on-line through IRENA’s recruitment platform, Taleo, 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.