Intern – Renewable Energy Statistics

Vacancy Announcement

Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Knowledge Policy and Finance Centre (KPFC)

Publication Date:                              28 October 2024

Application Deadline:                       11 November 2024 (at midnight, Abu Dhabi Local Time)

Title and Grade:                                Intern – Renewable Energy Statistics

Indicative Remuneration:                 Monthly stipend and accommodation allowance[1] 

Duration of Appointment:                6 Months

Background

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an inter-governmental organisation headquartered in Abu Dhabi, mandated to promote the widespread and increased adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity. IRENA’s mission is to play a leading role in the ongoing transformation of the global energy systems as a centre of excellence for knowledge and innovation, a global voice of renewable energy, a network hub for all stakeholders and a source of advice and support for countries. 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 and actively engaged.

Within this mandate, the focus of the Knowledge, Policy and Finance Centre (KPFC) is on collecting data, developing knowledge platforms and conducting analysis to support the creation of enabling environments for investment and growth in renewables. This entails analytical work on policy and finance, developing renewable energy statistics, giving input to advisory services that the Agency provides to its member states and at regional levels, developing and operating knowledge tools and analysis services for project facilitation and targeted engagement with the private sector and civil society. 

Key activities of the Statistics Team include the collection and analysis of data from Member States using the IRENA Renewable Energy Statistics Questionnaire, desk research and other data sources such as industry associations. In addition to data collection, the team is also engaged in data dissemination through avenues such as the IRENA website, international events and statistical publications as well as the development of methodological guidance.

Objectives of the Internship Assignments

The Interns will assist the Statistics Team to conduct data validation, review data gaps and assess the availability of data from other sources, with a view to developing future collaboration on this topic with other agencies. The objectives of the internships are: 

1. Strengthen IRENA’s off-grid renewables database and develop a more systematic process towards the collation of this information at the global level. 
2. Data support on tracking progress towards achieving international/global targets on the tripling of renewables by 2030; and the SDG 7.b.1 indicator.

Duties and Responsibilities

Off-grid renewable energy statistics

1. Data collection: Addition of off-grid renewable energy capacity and production statistics, number of beneficiaries by end-use to IRENA off-grid statistics database and following IRENA classification and measurement conventions.
2. Data validation: Identify and correct redundancies, incorrect/missing entries, and remove duplicates in the off-grid database. Reconcile data discrepancies between the main statistics database and the off-grid database to align off-grid data in the two databases.
3. Data sourcing: Store and label data sources for both new and historical datasets according to IRENA’s labelling nomenclature.
4. Reporting: Expand the source notes documentation to include new sources for off-grid renewable technologies. Assist with preparation of presentations and knowledge products.
5. Perform other tasks as required.

Tracking international/global renewable energy targets

1. Data collection: Assist with the collection and validation of renewable capacity statistics, and data to monitor SDG 7.b.1. 
2. Data analysis: Assist with data analysis to identify trends and provide insights for presentation and reporting purposes.
3. Reporting: Contribute towards IRENA statistical publications.
4. Perform other tasks as required.

Particular Functions 

Off-grid renewable energy statistics

The Intern will help the Statistics Team to collect and compile off-grid renewable energy data in areas including but not limited to the following:

1. Solar lights and home systems: number and capacities of systems sold or distributed in recent years.
2. Solar panels in public/commercial facilities: capacities installed in schools, health centres, public lighting, and other facilities.
3. Solar pumps: number and capacities of systems sold or distributed in recent years.
4. Communication masts: capacities of solar panels used to power communication masts.
5. Biogas digesters: number and capacities of new plants commissioned for household or other uses.
6. Mini-grids: number and capacities of new mini-grids commissioned (solar, hydro, wind, and biogas).

Tracking international/global renewable energy targets

1. Support curating the latest dataset on renewable capacity to provide timely and accurate inputs to future IRENA reports.
2. Support curating the latest dataset on installed renewable energy-generating capacity per capita in developing and developed countries to report in the annual Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report.
3. Support data validation of renewable energy capacity datasets by technology, year and country during the IRENA statistics data collection cycle.
4. Use data visualization methods/tools to generate graphs, charts, and tables to identify the latest trends in the context of monitoring, tracking, and reporting on the SDG 7.b.1 indicator, and tripling renewables by 2030.

Learning Areas

The IRENA Internship Programme offers graduate and university students from diverse academic backgrounds an opportunity to acquire direct exposure to IRENA operations and to enhance their educational experience through practical work assignments. It allows selected candidates to gain insight into the work of the Agency and provides a learning opportunity in various professional fields. Specific learning areas include:

1. Gain in-depth understanding of off-grid renewable energy development as well as linkages to improved energy access (SDG 7), and benefits derived from off-grid renewable solutions.
2. Gain an understanding of the role of renewable energy in the context of the renewable energy transition; and in expanding infrastructure and upgrading technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all.
3. Improve analytical, research, writing and presentation skills.
4. Benefit from peer-to-peer exchange of experiences and expertise in renewable energy in a multi-cultural environment. 

Timeframe

The internship is for six months, with the possibility of a three-months extension subject to approval. The exact period will be determined based on the availability of the intern and the needs of the programme.

Minimum Requirements

• Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: Be enrolled in a post-graduate programme (master’s or doctorate) at a recognized university and remain enrolled during the entire period of the internship; Be in their final year of an undergraduate programme at a recognized university and remain enrolled during the entire period of the internship; Recent graduates may also be included in the programme provided the start date of the internship is less than six months since their graduation.
• Candidates must be fluent in English (both oral and written) and demonstrate excellent writing and communication skills.
• Competencies: Candidates should demonstrate renewable energy data collection, data analysis (such as data extraction, transformation, and loading), data visualisation, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint), solid teamwork, planning and organizing, professionalism and communications skills.
• Candidates must be able to work in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.
• Preference is given to candidates studying in the fields of energy, engineering, statistics, or other related fields with a good understanding of renewable energy resources and energy statistics.
• Candidates should indicate in their cover letter the period of availability.

Internship Conditions

IRENA internships may be remunerated if an intern is not already sponsored by their government, university, or institution.   In such cases, the intern is requested to indicate their sponsorship in their cover letter.

Interns of IRENA are not considered to be staff members. The selected intern will work on a full-time basis (40 hours per week) on-site in Abu Dhabi, UAE working hours.

For more detailed information about the IRENA Internship Programme, please visit the internships section on our recruitment webpage.

Application Procedure

Candidates who are interested in this assignment and meet the minimum requirements must apply for the abovementioned vacancy on-line, through IRENA’s recruitment platform, ORC, by submitting a complete and comprehensive CV and a letter of interest. Due to the high number of applications, only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for a pre-recorded and/or telephone interview.

IRENA wishes to encourage applications from female candidates and nationals of LDC and SIDS countries.