Intern, Partnerships

Vacancy Announcement

Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Country Engagement and Partnerships Division (CEP)

Publication Date\:                       23 September 2021

Deadline for Application\:          7 October 2021  

Title and Grade\:                         Intern, Partnerships

Indicative Remuneration\:          Monthly stipend[1]

Duration of Appointment\:          6 Months

Duty Station\:                               Remote Internship   

Date for 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. At present, IRENA has 166 Members (165 States and the European Union) that acceded to its Statute, and 18 additional States in the process of accession and actively engaged. 

Country Engagement and Partnerships Division (CEP) is the Agency’s window to Members and partners worldwide and leads the engagement with countries at national, regional and sub-regional levels. It supports them in the development and implementation of national and regional renewable energy initiatives, by contextualizing the knowledge, analyses, data and methodologies being developed in the other three programmatic divisions of IRENA to local / regional requirements for change on the ground. This requires both substantive understanding of local circumstances and thorough knowledge of actors. Its activities enable a systematic overview of country and regional needs, experiences and trends to help facilitate cross-fertilization of best practices between countries and regions, and shape IRENA's future programmatic priorities.

One of the important functions of the Division is to pursue strategic, result-oriented partnerships with various regional and local organisations and development partners active in the renewables area to achieve long-term impact in its work on the ground through leveraging efforts and resources, maximizing synergies and complementarities, and avoiding possible duplication. Among others, the Division coordinates and facilitates the implementation of a number of multi-stakeholder partnership platforms, including, the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative (LHI), the Global Geothermal Alliance (GGA), initiatives promoting decentralized renewable energy solutions within the framework of the International Off-Grid Renewable Energy Conference (IOREC) Platform as well as partnership initiatives themed on the nexus of renewable energy and Sustainable Development Goals (e.g., Health, Food Security, etc.). Furthermore, the Division coordinates the formalisation of institutional partnerships of IRENA with entities wishing to collaborate with IRENA on areas of mutual interest and support the IRENA vision and mandate.

Objective and Particular functions

Under the overall coordination of the Division Director and direct supervision of the Head of Partnerships, the intern will be expected to carry out the following tasks\:

• Support in the coordination, development and implementation of Memoranda of Understanding and / or Partnership Agreements with other institutions, particularly on energy access and energy nexus related initiatives and activities;
• Support in the coordination of implementation and collaborative action on IRENAs MoUs and Partnership Agreements through following a standardized process;
• Support the team in the development of documents (background notes, work-plans, draft agreements/MoUs, presentations, meeting notes, briefs, summaries, project proposals, etc.,) required as part of the Partnership units on-going and planned activities, with particular focus on activities related to energy access;
• Support in internal coordination and the development and maintenance of a calendar of key events and activities relating to various workstreams of the Partnerships Unit, especially the activities being carried out by the energy access team;
• Perform any other tasks assigned.

Learning Areas

During the internship period, the successful applicant will develop an understanding of how IRENA collaborates and partners with external entities for promotion of renewable energy as well as delivery on projects and initatives pertaining to energy trnasition and climate action. The applicant will also develop analytical, organising, monitoring, reporting, research and communications skills.

Timeframe

The internship is for a period of six months. The exact start date/period will be determined based on the availability of the intern and the needs of the Division. The maximum duration of the internship is nine months, subject to the intern’s continued university enrolment and performance.

Minimum Requirements

The candidate must meet the following requirements\:

• The candidate should be enrolled in a post-graduate programme, or in their final year of undergraduate programme in renewable energy, economics, engineering, business studies, natural and social sciences, policy studies, project management or other related fields. Recent graduates will also be considered provided the start date of the internship is less than six months from completion of their studies.
• The candidate should be aware of and understand energy and/or socioeconomics of development, renewable energy technologies;
• possess experience of coordination and management of projects and programmes.
• Excellent command of both written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of other UN languages would be an advantage. 
• Demonstrate good writing and communication skills.
• Demonstrate solid teamwork, planning and organising, professionalism.
• Be able to work in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.

Other Requirements

• The candidate should be able to work on IRENA Secretariat time-zone (GMT 4)
• Candidates should indicate in their cover letter the period of availability.

Internship Conditions

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

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

Application Procedure

IRENA wishes to encourage applications from female candidates.

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