Consultant, HR Policy Manual Review

Job Description

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. 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. IRENA supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a center of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resources, and financial knowledge on renewable energy. The Agency implements its mandate with the view of sustainable development, increased energy security, and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity.

The Division of Administration and Management Services (AMS) is responsible for providing the Secretariat with efficient support in managing its human and financial resources and ensure effective and timely delivery of information technology, procurement and logistical services. The Human Resources Section in AMS is responsible for the provision of professional HR services for the organisation, including recruitment, contract administration, entitlements and benefits management, staff development and performance management support.

Following the session of the IRENA Assembly in January 2025, significant updates were made to the Staff Regulations, Staff Rules, and related policy instruments. To ensure alignment with the revised framework, IRENA seeks a qualified Individual Consultant to review, update, and streamline its Human Resources (HR) Policy Manual, ensuring clarity, consistency, and compliance.

Assignment

Under the overall guidance of the Director, Administration and Management Services (DAMS) and under the direct supervision of the Chief, Human Resources, the consultant will:

• Review existing HR, Travel, Finance and other related policy documents.
• Identify inconsistencies and gaps in relation to the revised policy framework.
• Draft and revise HR Policy Manual in line with the best practices from the UN system and similar international organisations.
• Ensure that the revised Manual remains consistent with the authority structure of IRENA's regulatory instruments and does not contradict or conflict with the provisions of the Staff Regulations and Rules or the Financial Regulations and Financial Procedures.
• Recommend improvements to enhance accountability, consistency, and operational effectiveness.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and the Legal Office to ensure compliance and integration.

Deliverables

Deliverable 1: Mapping (internally)

• Review all existing relevant HR, Travel, Finance, and other documents.
• Identify outdated provisions, inconsistencies, and alignment gaps with regard to the current version of the HR Policy Manual, and any revisions required to implement and align with the Staff Regulations and Rules and related policy instruments.
• Develop a project plan, including a document tracker to monitor the status, responsible parties, and deadlines.
• Conduct initial consultations with key stakeholders to validate priorities and gather input on policy needs.

Deliverable 2: Benchmarking (externally)

• Conduct a comparative review of HR Policy frameworks in a limited sample of international (UN Common System) organizations. The analysis should focus on 3–5 UN common system or comparable intergovernmental organisations with published or accessible HR policy manuals.
• Analyze relevant HR regulatory frameworks, including policy hierarchy, procedural articulation, exception handling, and policy update mechanisms.
• Prepare a benchmarking analysis outlining key insights and alignment opportunities including, applicability and feasibility of adaptation.

Deliverable 3: Drafting of Revised HR Policy Manual

• Draft and/or revise HR Policy Manual using updated templates and standardised language.
• Ensure all parts of the Manual are consistently structured and accurately reflect changes in relevant sections/provisions.
• Simplify and clarify policy language to reduce ambiguity.
• Include procedural guidance or annexes where necessary to support operational clarity and implementation.
• Identify and flag areas requiring senior management or legal interpretation for resolution.

Deliverable 4: Finalization of the Revised HR Policy Manual

• Review and consolidate internal stakeholder feedback on the draft version of HR Policy Manual.
• Integrate all revised HR Policy Manual provisions into a coherent, logical structure, ensuring consistent tone, terminology, and alignment with IRENA’s document formatting standards.
• Finalize the Manual for senior management approval, including preparation of a summary document highlighting key changes.

Deliverable 5: Advisory/Implementation Support

• Develop a communications brief to support the promulgation of the revised Manual.
• Prepare a knowledge transfer package, including templates, reference materials, and guidance notes to ensure continuity after the consultancy ends.
• Provide advisory support in the lead-up to the implementation of the revisions made.
• Support may include participation in virtual briefings and provision of technical clarifications to support internal rollout.

Fee

IRENA shall pay the Consultant USD 500 per day, maximum of 28 workdays within duration of the contract, upon satisfactorily certified Consultant's deliverables, as per the payment and deliverables schedule below.

Deliverables and Payment Schedule (Specific deliverables and terms of payment)

Payment based on the above deliverables (deliverable – based contract), certified by the assigned personnel.

Qualifications

Education

A university degree in human resources management, law, international relations, business, public administration, or a related field.

Experience and skills required

• A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience in applying, developing and interpreting human resources policies or administrative law matters in an international organisation, preferably an organization within the UN common system, or comparable experience in a policy or regulatory design and maintenance role.
• Proven experience in aligning organizational policy frameworks with international standards.
• Strong analytical and drafting skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience in benchmarking exercises, including analysis of comparable frameworks and practices across organizations.
• Experience with communications planning in a transition context.
• Experience in facilitating stakeholder consultations and briefings.

Language proficiency

• Fluency in English (written and verbal)

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

Note that the candidate should be capable of working together with people from different national and cultural backgrounds. IRENA is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to.

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