Associate Programme Officer – Renewable Energy Finance Markets, P-2

Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Project Facilitation and Support Division (PFS)

Publication/Transmission Date\:        6  January 2022 

Deadline For Application\:                   27 January 2022 (midnight, Abu Dhabi Local Time)

Job Title and Grade\:                            Associate Programme Officer – Renewable Energy Finance Markets, P-2  

Indicative Annual Salary\:                    USD 49,254 to USD 57,428 plus other benefits[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

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an inter-governmental organization headquartered in Abu Dhabi, mandated to promote the adoption and continuous use of all forms of renewable energy to pursue sustainable development, energy access, and security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity. IRENA's mission is to lead the ongoing transformation of the global energy systems as a center 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. 

The Agency is committed to accelerating the energy transition through integrated project facilitation to support member countries to meet their NDCs, in their endeavor to scale renewable energy (RE) technologies in their economies. In 2013, IRENA and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) created a partnership to deploy funding resources to finance renewable energy (RE) projects in developing countries. The United Arab Emirates anchored the initiative with USD 350 million to fund the IRENA-ADFD Facility (the Facility). 

During its seven cycles, the Facility received over 600 project proposals, 26 of which received capital allocations benefiting 21 developing countries. The Facility further attracted approximately USD 570 million in co-funding from other financing sources. Overall, IRENA and ADFD enabled the mobilization of almost USD 1.0 billion in impact investing. The IRENA and ADFD institutional convening power, the lessons learned from and track-record built with the Facility reinforced the continuation of the partnership and layout the foundations to design and implement an ambitious climate financing platform. The Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) platform will be fit-for-purpose IRENA's mandate to accelerate the energy transition and the UAE's objective to become an international financing center for climate finance. 

The Energy Transition Accelerator Financing platform is an open climate finance platform dedicated to mobilizing capital to facilitate financing matchmaking of RE projects in IRENA's 166 member countries. The Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) platform will\:  

1. Channel financing for a geographically and technologically diversified quality pipeline of RE projects supports implementing ambitious National Determined Contributions (NDCs) to meet the Paris Agreement targets and realize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
2. Mobilize financial resources from climate finance international financial institutions, such as DFIs, MDBs, IFIs global, regional, local, and the corporate sector. 
3. Facilitate financing matchmaking of near-ready RE projects to support countries to meet their NDCs. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

Through its RE Finance Markets unit, IRENA seeks to recruit an Associate Programme Officer to contribute to capital mobilization, maintaining the relationship with existing funding partners and engaging with new partners, in support to the Programme Officer responsible for these two aspects.

The Associate Programme Officer P-2 will\:

• Support and maintain an active dialogue with funding partners, being aware of their financing and investment strategies, chanelling their inquiries and requirements, not limited to project information and due diligence. 
• Support and coordinate outreach activities with ADFD and other strategic funding partners to showcase the ETAF at regional and country level.
• Support the Programme Officer to facilitate capital mobilization, distribution, and fundraising activites 
• Collaborate with ETAF’s Portfolio Management Facilitation and the division's technical assistance and facilitation team on any aspect as deemed relevant by the Programme Officer, such as markets updates on other climate finance platforms, and climate finance markets.
• Collaborate and efficiently coordinate with the division's technical assistance team working with project proponents (sponsors and developers) to provide feedback on adequate risk-mitigant products to initiate corrective actions to matchmake projects and funding sources efficiently.
• Under the guidance of the Programme Officer and the Unit head, facilitate the engagement of relevant climate finance players with the ETAF, and IRENA, with a strong focus on communicating with project developers, by chanelling their requests and contributing to addressing them.
• Perform other duties as required within the scope of the unit's objectives, in line with IRENA general strategic direction and in coordination with the Agency's other supporting divisions when needed.

Competencies 

\: Good knowledge of project financing and the renewable energy sector. Experience in project financing focused on the renewable energy sector, preferably in the context of emerging economies, including exposure to project developers’ challenges to access financing. Demonstrated experience in engaging and working with development financing institutions (DFIs), or  multilateral development bank (MDB), and financial institutions (FIs). Experience working in international multicultural environments, leading and managing projects autonoumously; shows initiative and pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence in subject matter and pays attention to detail; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results. 

\: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailored language, tone, style, and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

  Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning.

\: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within the prescribed time, cost, and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; takes personal responsibility for their shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

\: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda.

Qualifications

\: Master's degree or equivalent in business, finance, economics or other relevant field related to project finance and renewable energy. 

\: At least two years of relevant experience in project management and facilitation work in an international organisation or DFIs, in multicultural environments, with a focus on the renewable energy sector and project financing. 

Additional essential qualifications\:

• Good knowledge and understanding of project financing and the renewable energy sector. Track record engaging with DFIs, and financial instituions, or other Climate Platform sponsored by G7/G20 economies to address climate change and scale up of RE energies and technologies.
• Experience in project financing focused on the renewable energy sector, preferably in the context of emerging economies, including exposure to project developers’ challenges to access financing.
• Exposure and experience working on concessional financing, preferably in the framework of a financing facility.
• Knowledge of credit and risk assessment analytical skillset will be an advantage.

 Excellent command of both written and spoken English is essential for this position. Fluency in French and/or Spanish is a valuable asset.

Qualified candidates must apply for the above-mentioned vacancy on-line by uploading the completed application form and a letter of interest, including details of three professional references who will be contacted if their application is shortlisted. 

Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for an interview and will receive notice of the final outcome of the selection process.