Programme Officer – Asia and the Pacific (m/w/d)

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. 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. The Agency implements its mandate with the view to sustainable development, increased energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity.Today, the Agency supports 170 Members (169 States and the European Union) in their transition to a sustainable energy future. An additional 14 States are in the process of accession.

IRENA’s Country Engagement and Partnerships Division (CEP) engages and works with IRENA member countries. CEP supports them in the development and implementation of national and regional renewable energy strategies, by contextualizing the knowledge being developed in the other three technical divisions of IRENA, to the national and regional requirements. CEP enables a systematic assessment and definition 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 strategic and programmatic priorities.

Asia-Pacific represents a key region of energy transition. Today, it is the most dynamic renewable energy market in the world and home to more than half of globally installed renewable power capacity. In 2023, over 69% of the global share renewable power was deployed in Asia-Pacific, following 327 gigawatts of installations, placing Asia-Pacific at the heart of the global energy transition. This rapid growth brings with it positive socioeconomic benefits. Major share of the world’s renewable energy jobs are in Asia-Pacific, and renewables deployment underpins sustainable economic growth whilst increasing energy access to remote communities across the continent.

To further support this progress, and based on the Agency’s strong focus on developing country members, IRENA works closely with governments across Asia to identify and implement effective regional frameworks that support accelerated energy transition to meet climate commitments, supports enhanced climate action through energy transition and supports project finance facilitation . CEP serves as the main interface between the Agency in the regions and countries in the identification of priority areas for IRENA’s support as well as in the design, development and implementation of activities tailored to specific needs and priorities identified.

IRENA’s Investment forums, Regional Energy Transition Outlooks (RETOs), Regional Renewable Energy Acceleration Initiatives such as the Accelerated Patnership Renewable Energy in Central Asia (APRECA) forms the basis of the Agency’s sub-regional engagement providing a concrete regional platforms to enable region’s efforts in tripling renewables by 2030 in power generation and electrification and decarbonisation of end-use sectors across countries in the region. IRENA has also been supporting the development regional power markets in Asia-Pacific to promote renewable energy deployment at scale.

Country Level Assessments constitute the backbone of IRENA’s country level engagement and are central to the Agency’s efforts to accelerate energy transition nationally and regionally with an emphasis of power systems and electrification, green fuels and decarbonization of end use sectors. Through a country-led, multi-stakeholder processes facilitated by IRENA, the assessments analyses the enabling conditions for energy transition and tripling renewables and doubling efficient by 2030 and identifies the key policy & regulation, infrastructure, supply chains, skills and capacity, international cooperation and financing enablers necessary to accelerate energy transition and achieve tripling renewables by 2030. To date, the Agency has partnered with more than 45 countries in these assessments and a strategy development.

Under the guidance of the Director, Country Engagement and Partnerships, and the immediate supervision of the Deputy Director, the Regional Programme Officer:

• Supports the Agency’s engagement with governments and other stakeholders for an enhanced understanding of energy transition landscape in the Asia-Pacific region, and identification of areas of possible support, where IRENA can provide highest value addition, with a view to creating an investment environment more conducive to accelerated energy transition.
• Coordinates the development and implementation of IRENA’s regional / sub-regional engagement on the ground (such as investment forums, RETOs as well as regional initiatives to accelerate renewables in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, South Asia and Northeast Asia as well as the implementation of the SIDS Lighthouses initiative in the Pacific, including, conceptualization of the program, identification of priority areas of action, and development of the modalities of implementation;
• Coordinates the Agency’s country engagement in the region, including, through country assessments, such as country-level assessments , , Energy Transition Outlooks (ETOs), support for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and Long-Term low-greenhouse gas emission development Strategies (LTS) etc.
• Coordinates the design and development of the framework for setting up and maintaining cooperation networks with governments, regional entities, industry, private sector, banks and financial institutions and civil society in the region. Maintains existing and establishes new networks to galvanise action towards increasing the role of energy transition and climate action as a part of IRENA’s Work Programme;
• Identifies and collaborates with relevant partners that can engage with countries at the national, sub-regional and regional levels to support implementation of the enablersidentified in the country assessments and regional action agendas;
• Ensures close links with the IRENA technical divisions to identify synergies in line with priorities identified by countries and provide IRENA support ensuring impacts;
• Keeps abreast of trends, key topics and initiatives in energy transition technologies, climate action, finance, international cooperation, supply chains, skills and capacity, policy and regulation to contribute to the preparation of country and regional assessments and other reports and knowledge products and reports for the Asia-Pacific region;
• Support the efforts for IRENA’s regional initiatives and platforms to accelerate regional collaboration on accelerating renewable energy such as APRECA, project finance facilitation efforts in the regions including leading the organisation of investment forums, assist and support the identification and screening of technical assistance requests and investment projects from Asia-Pacific member states;
• Supports the planning and coordination of Work Programme of the Directorate and contribute to its successful implementation;
• Organises and prepares written outputs, e.g., draft regional initiatives, background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.;
• Provides substantive backstopping to consultative meetings, conferences, collaborative frameworks, investment forums etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.;
• Performs other duties, as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialised field. Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Good knowledge of various aspects of energy, climate action; ability to implement projects/programmes; familiarity with the renewable energy and energy transition issues including , energy infrastructure, international cooperation, supply chains, skills & capacitiess, policies& regulation and financing ; good analytical skills, proven ability to develop reports and papers on technical issues.

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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Excellent drafting skills and ability to prepare reports that are clear, concise and meaningful. 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.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organisational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Planning & Organising: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; 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; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Qualifications

Education: Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in the field of energy, economics/finance, engineering or any other relevant field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the energy sector, some of which should be at the international level; experience in international cooperation and in dealing with multilateral agencies, networks and forums; experience of work in regional organizations of the region and demonstrated ability to implement projects/programmes are additional assets.

Languages: Excellent command of written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of other languages of the Asia-Pacific region would be an advantage.

Qualified candidates must apply for the abovementioned 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 outcome of the selection process.