Vacancy Announcement

Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Division of Project Facilitation and Support (PFS)

Publication Date\:                                    22 September 2021

Deadline for Application\:                       2 November 2021 (at midnight, Abu Dhabi Local Time)

Title and Grade\:                                      Programme Officer – Portfolio Management, P-4

Indicative Annual Salary\:                       USD 73,516 to USD 83,115[1]

Duration of Appointment\:                     One year, with possible extension 

Duty Station\:                                          Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 

Expected Date for Entry on Duty\:       As soon as possible

Background

The International Renewable Energy Agency 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 166 Members (1654 States and the European Union) that acceded to its Statute, and 18 additional States in the process of accession and actively engaged.

The Project Facilitation and Support (PFS) division is a new division that integrates all the previous initiatives of IRENA related to project facilitation. It has an ambitious goal to achieve a tangible impact by facilitating funding and investments for promising projects, co-organising regional Investment Forums with matchmaking events, and fostering cooperation between international institutions that have compatible objectives. One of the main instruments is the platform that organises IRENA’s contribution to the Climate Investment Platform (CIP), a joint initiative of IRENA, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All). The activities include the preparation of projects, support to the partners who can help projects to achieve financial close, and the organisation of international and regional matchmaking events where project owners, lenders, investors and donors can meet.

Other responsibilities include the development and promotion of project facilitation tools, like the Risk Assessment and Mitigation Platform and the Open Solar Contracts initiative. PFS further manages IRENA’s partnership with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the development of a new funding facility. All these initiatives have in common that they help to attract investments in the renewable energy sector and provide support that is directly relevant to projects.

 Duties and Responsibilities

 Under the guidance of the Director of PFS, the Programme Officer – Portfolio Management will fulfil the following duties and responsibilities\: 

• Leads programmatic portfolio management for the Division ensuring that the programmatic activities of the Division are managed in compliance with the overall Work Programme and Budget and Medium-Term Strategy of the Agency. 
• Develops the Division’s contributions and inputs to the Agency’s strategic documentation, including work plans, progress reports and annual reports. Coordinates and provides inputs to proposals and reporting related to voluntary contributions relevant to the Division. 
• Liaises with the Administration and Management Services (AMS) Division and the Planning and Programme Support (PPS) Unit to ensure funding and budgetary matters are effectively managed within the Division to enable programmatic delivery. 
• Supports the preparation of substantive and financial reports in alignment with donor requirements. Provides oversight to the Division’s project portfolio and reports regularly to the Director of PFS regarding the composition, size, quality, concentration, diversification, valuation, and other criteria, as applicable. Assesses the impact of prospective new financing on the existing project portfolio and advises the Director of PFS in relevant matters.
• Coordinates recruitment plans, processes and other staffing matters for the Division in close cooperation with the AMS Division. 
• Coordinates the procurement needs of the Division, ensuring that budgetary resources are in place for approved contractual services. Ensures that contracted activities are completed within budget and to time in support of effective programmatic delivery. Manages contractual and funding matters related to service providers and oversees relevant programmatic delivery.
• Leads the preparation of the Division’s written outputs and coordinates with unit heads and/or project leads within the Division to ensure quality and consistency of outgoing communications related to the Division’s portfolio.  
• Coordinates the divisional inputs to partnership agreements including Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and monitors the operationalisation of existing MoUs that are under PFS responsibility. 
• Serves as the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) focal point for the Division. In coordination with unit heads and/or project leads within the Division, leads the internal monitoring of projects under PFS responsibility.  
• Contributes substantive inputs to technical, consultative and other meetings, conferences and supports the organisation and follow-up of such meetings and conferences, including substantive and technical aspects. 
• Performs other duties as required. 

Competencies

Professionalism\: Possess in-depth knowledge of issues surrounding renewable energy, including financing, project management and risk mitigation; shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence in subject matter and pays attention to detail; 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 difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Communication\: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; creates and promotes enabling environment for open communication; 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 the 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.

Planning and Organising\: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities to ensure successful completion of work assigned.

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 of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. 

Qualifications

Education\: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, finance, sustainable development, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience\: A minimum of seven years of experience in project management, project finance, energy financing programmes or development funding. At least part of this experience is with the private sector. Proven ability to cooperate diplomatically in multicultural environments. Experience with intergovernmental processes is an advantage.

Language\: Excellent command of written and spoken English. Fluency in other languages would be an advantage. 

Qualified candidates must apply for the above-mentioned 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.