Vacancy Announcement

Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

                                                Office of the Direct- General (ODG)

Publication Date:                  20 December 2024

Deadline for Application:     19 January 2025 

Title and Grade:                     Chief, Planning and Programme Support (PPS), P-5

Indicative Annual Salary:      (a) Annual Net Salary: USD 92,731.00 to USD 103,193.00[1]

                                                (b) Post Adjustment: USD 36,906.94 to USD 41,070.81 [2]

Duration of Appointment:    Two years (with possible extension subject to availability of funds)

Duty Station:                          Bonn, Germany 

Entry on Duty:                      As soon as possible

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an inter-governmental organisation, headquartered in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, mandated to promote the adoption and continuous use of all forms of renewable energy sources 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.

The IRENA Planning and Programme Support Office (PPS) is part of the Executive Office of the Director-General. Under the supervision and guidance of the Director-General, the Planning and Programme Support (PPS) office maintains two key areas of responsibility:

1. Resource diversification: maintaining strategic external relationships and ensuring internal coordination and the integration of extra-budgetary resources in IRENA’s programmatic work;
2. Reporting: timely reporting on programmatic matters to governing bodies and donors, as required.

Duties and Responsibilities 

Under the supervision of the Director-General, Chief, PPS will be responsible for the following duties:

• Finalize reports to intergovernmental governing bodies on programmatic issues, including biennial work programmes, annual and progress reports, and impact performance. Ensuring that the outputs produced maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective, and accurate. Ensuring that all outputs produced by PPS reflect the Agency-wide impact and meet required standards.
• Coordinating the formulation of the Agency’s mid-term strategy, aligning programme goals with strategic priorities, and preparing actionable plans to achieve these priorities within set timelines.
• Planning and managing the implementation of the Agency’s resource diversification strategy, aligned with the governing body guidance, and with the Agency’s strategic and programmatic priorities and sector developments. Maintaining and developing external relationships to diversify the donor base.
• Coordinating the development and finalisation of donor agreements, monitoring their implementation to ensure adherence, timely reporting and closure. Aligning donor agreements with the Agency’s strategic and operational objectives under the results-based framework, facilitating consistent and aligned reporting to donors and stakeholders.
• Leading the integration, and ongoing improvement of the reporting under results-based framework to ensure that programme activities are well aligned with strategic objectives and measurable outcomes, while proactively enhancing the framework to better meet organizational goals and adapt to evolving challenges.
• Developing and managing comprehensive monitoring and evaluation strategies to assess the effectiveness and impact of programme initiatives and projects, ensuring alignment with global standards and donor expectations.
• Formulating, supervising implementation of work of PPS, including determining priorities, and ensuring timely delivery. Managing, guiding, motivating, staff under his/her supervision including performance management, recruitment, staff development and learning; fostering teamwork in PPS, and across organizational boundaries.
• Working closely with all IRENA divisions to improve accuracy and consistency of reports to governing bodies and donors. Leading the team to identify trends or patterns for planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting.
• Supporting the Director-General within the area of responsibility, performing additional duties, as requested by the Director-General.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of inter-governmental processes and functions. The ability to analyse and interpret trends and data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information internally and externally at the senior-most levels. Demonstrated ability to provide strategic advice and guidance on policy issues. Ability to produce reports and papers and to review and edit the work of others. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. 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. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Empowering others: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work. Encourages others to set challenging goals. Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility. Genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise. Shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort. Involves others when making decisions that affect them.

Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services. Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs. Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas. Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box.” Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things. Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

 Qualification

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, international relations, public or business administration, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience/Skills: A minimum of ten years progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in policy development, drafting and editing of reports, monitoring of programme implementation, partner and/or donor liaison. Experience of working in an international setting and/or intergovernmental organisation is required. Experience in outreach and advocacy is required. Deeper understanding of climate and energy issues is desirable. Experience in programme monitoring and evaluation is desirable.

Languages: Excellent command of written and spoken English is a must. Knowledge of other UN languages would be an asset.

***

Qualified candidates must apply for the above-mentioned vacancy on-line, through IRENA’s recruitment platform, ORC 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 are highly encouraged.

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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements