Programme Officer, Project Financing, P-4

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an inter-governmental organization mandated with the widespread and increased adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy. At present, IRENA has 169 Members (168 States and the European Union) that acceded to its Statute, and 15 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 centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource, 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 Project Facilitation and Support (PFS) division integrates all the previous initiatives of IRENA related to project facilitation. It has an ambitious goal to achieve a tangible impact by facilitating funding and investments for promising projects, co-organising regional Investment Forums with matchmaking events, and fostering cooperation between international institutions that have compatible objectives.

The core of the PFS modus-operandi is to facilitate and support IRENA Member States to achieve their Nationally Determined Contribution renewable energy targets by building a solid pipeline of projects covering the entire project size spectrum from utility scale projects, to commercial and industrial level, and micro & small level projects, as well as energy efficiency measures. This includes facilitating their realization through a comprehensive set of operational tools including – but not limited to – project-based technical assistance packages, targeted de-risking instruments and structured capacity building. 

In this context, IRENA is looking for an expert to lead the Renewable Energy Project Financing team in the Project Facilitation and Support Division.

Duties and Responsibilities 

Under the guidance of the Director of PFS and direct supervision of the Senior Programme Officer – Project Facilitation (P-5), the Programme Officer, P-4 has the responsibility to lead and coordinate the Agency’s work related to RE investment scale-up.  In particular:

• Lead the work of IRENA’s Energy Transition Accelerator Financing Platform (ETAF), IRENA Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) Facility, and the Project Financing Team. This includes but is not limited to the annual planning, objectives, budgeting, headcount, reporting and outreach activities;
• Lead, manage and mentor IRENA’s Project Financing Team members in the PFS Division;
• Facilitate procedures, knowledge and matchmaking measures to ease access to finance in the context of IRENA project facilitation and support tools;
• Lead the team in performing feasibility and bankability analysis of projects submitted to IRENA through the ETAF;
• Lead the team in the follow up, engagement and facilitation of the IRENA ADFD Facility activities;
• Lead regional and sub-regional dialogues to support RE investments within IRENA’s ETAF Platform;
• Leverage resources from International Financial Institutions, public and private financiers and convene matchmaking with RE projects pipeline;
• Facilitate the creation of new instruments and mechanisms for financing large, medium and small scale renewable energy projects;
• Develop and implement initiatives to increase the impact of IRENA’s ETAF in the energy transition;
• Lead IRENA’s ETAF engagement to accelerate renewable energy investments, through building a pipeline of bankable projects with the support of ETAF Partners as well as representatives of IRENA member states;
• Contribute to the preparation of state-of-the-art reports and other written material and lead effective outreach activities (workshops, conference participation, webinars, etc.);
• Engage with representatives of IRENA member states, public and private finance institutions, and project developers in order to disseminate IRENA’s project facilitation tools and increase their impact;
• Maintain close working relationships with other teams in PFS and other divisions of IRENA; and
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Good knowledge in project management in multi-sector and multi-actor development programmes for RE project’s identification and finance. Work experience in engaging with IFIs and different financing facilities to run renewable energy and energy efficiency projects including donor agencies, banks, and aids at regional and sub-regional levels. Experience of working in a multi-national context with an intergovernmental organization. Experience in implementing, monitoring and evaluating projects/programmes in international settings would be an advantage. Experience in sustainable energy systems and projects operationalization on the supply and demand side. Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in their resolution. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Able to keep a calm and positive attitude while working in stressful environments, and with tight deadlines.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed and enjoys public speaking and negotiation skills. Proven ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues; ability to review and edit the work of others. Having an international exposure to different energy communities is required. 

Teamwork:  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; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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 organizational 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 and Organising: Experience in designing strategic plans, monitoring indicators, developing 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; monitors and adjusts plans as necessary; uses time efficiently.

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 improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Qualifications

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in engineering, finance, economics or a related 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 at least one of the following: Renewable energy project finance, project development, analysis of bankability of renewable energy projects. In addition to mobilizing energy projects, risk mitigation and/or implementation and management of energy or environment-related projects/programmes at the international/regional level. At least part of this experience must be with the private sector. Experience in emerging markets and with the engagement of governments. Good knowledge of issues surrounding renewable energy. Experienced in management and mentoring multicultural and multidisciplinary teams, preferably within the context of international/regional organizations.

Languages: Excellent command of written and spoken English. Fluency in other UN languages will be of additional benefit.