IRENA – Director - Knowledge, Policy and Finance Centre

About IRENA

The International Renewable Energy Agency is an intergovernmental organisation headquartered in Abu Dhabi, mandated to promote the widespread and increased adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy 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 168 Members (167 States and the European Union) that acceded to its Statute.

IRENA is mandated by Governments to promote the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy. It facilitates and catalyses sharing of best practices and lessons learned regarding policy frameworks, capacity-building, finance mechanisms and other relevant measures for accelerating and expanding the demonstration and deployment of renewable energy technologies.

Role: Director, Knowledge, Policy and Finance Centre (KPFC)

Location: Abu Dhabi

Salary: Highly Competitive

The Role About KPFC

The Knowledge, Policy and Finance Centre (KPFC) is IRENA’s central knowledge repository and a centre of excellence for renewables policy and finance issues. KPFC’s information collection and analysis enables IRENA to inform and advise its Members and to disseminate information to the public. It is also a central repository of IRENA’s internal knowledge to inform and support the work of all divisions, as well as to provide critical knowledge products to IRENA’s Members. KPFC implements its programmatic activities in close cooperation with other programmatic divisions. KPFC is also a platform for engagement for the private sector and civil society.

Under the direct supervision of the Director-General and within delegated authority, Director, KPFC undertakes a range of analytical and advisory activities aimed at providing accurate information, sound advice and a broader knowledge base to assist countries in making informed renewable energy policy decisions.

Responsibilities

The Director, KPFC, will provide guidance and manage the different units within the division, which include knowledge, policy, finance, and statistics. He/she will be responsible for:

1. Leading, supervising and carrying out the KPFC work programme.

2. Formulating and implementing the substantive work programme for KPFC, including determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of activities and their timely delivery.

3. Overseeing the management of activities undertaken by KPFC, ensuring that programmed activities are coordinated in the different areas both within KPFC and with other IRENA divisions, as well as other entities, as appropriate.

4. Ensuring that the outputs produced by KPFC maintain highquality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data.

5. Undertaking the management and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the division, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance, interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates, and preparation of inputs for Agencywide activities.

6. Managing, guiding and developing staff under his/her supervision, and fostering teamwork and communication among staff in KPFC, and across organizational boundaries.

7. Managing relevant sections of the division and provide strategic directions to accomplish the mandated functions and approved objectives. This includes providing overall guidance to KPFC staff and working with team leads, in particular in the following areas:

• renewable energy policy, market design, as well as economic context and financial landscape of the energy transition

• socioeconomic analysis of renewable energy and the broader energy transition (including socioecon modeling and related analysis of the impacts of the transition on variables such as GDP, jobs, welfare, and distribution of benefits; and cuttingedge analysis on issues such as gender and jobs)

• energy access and economic development

• renewable energy resource assessment

8. Harnessing knowledge and expertise from within and outside the organisation, developing and promoting a knowledge-based culture; encouraging systems and collaborations to develop, shape, share knowledge insights that will strengthen the quality of IRENA’s advice and increase credibility and influence and that of its partners.

9. Establishing a broad network with stakeholders in the field of renewable energy. Playing a key role in collaborating on RE policy and financial topics; monitoring and following results; gathering information and lessons learned.

10. Representing KPFC in IRENA Governing Body meetings to present aspects of the division’s Work Programme and related budgetary expenditures, during the planning and implementation phases.

11. Representing IRENA in meetings, events and other fora to provide programmatic/substantive expertise and actively seek opportunities to strengthen collaboration/alliances/partnerships with wide ranging constituencies.

Competencies

Professionalism

Extensive experience and knowledge of the field of energy, including renewable energy policy, economics and finance, as well as other areas of the work being supervised. Ability to produce reports, papers and publications on technical issues, and to review and edit the work of others. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Ability to manage staff and apply administrative rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; demonstrate political astuteness, technical expertise, ability and capacity to represent the Agency effectively at high levels in different fora. Ability to establish and build broad strategic networks and international partnerships.

Planning & Organizing

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; develops risk preparedness and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjust plans and actions as necessary. Has solid understanding of best management practices; aligns management policies and practices to support achievement of organizational goals; uses time efficiently; has the ability to implement and supervise programme activities that are consistent with agreed strategies.

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.

Leadership

Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and tasks; 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; shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Communication

Creates and promotes enabling environment for open communication; speaks and writes clearly and effectively, and tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in promoting a culture of information and knowledge sharing and learning.

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.

Managing Performance

Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decisionmaking authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Candidate Profile

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, energy policy, sustainable development, or other related area. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree. PhD is desirable.

Experience

At least 15 years of extensive experience that combines intellectual, strategic, technical and managerial leadership in the renewable energy or related field, including at the international level. Experience in programme planning, management and analyses. Experience in energy policy and finance related work at the international and a country level, is required.

Language

Fluency in oral and written English is essential. Knowledge of other languages is an asset.

How to Apply

All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button on the job advert page, complete our online application form, and submit your CV and cover letter as two different documents, which should be prepared before applying as they will be considered in the application process. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

The document should be saved in PDF in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (mmyy) e.g., Pat-Jones-CV-072023-IRENA or Pat-Jones-CoverLetter-072023-IRENA.

Timeline

Closing Date: 29 September 2023

First stage interviews: TBC (Applications will be reviewed on an on-going basis)

Final interviews: TBC

Selection Process

All candidates will receive an update regarding their application after the closing date. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder.

Equality Statement

Equality and diversity are at the core of IRENA’s values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.

Queries

If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email at irena-director-kpfc@oxfordhr.com in the first instance.

About Oxford HR

Exceptional leaders can inspire change and propel purposeled organisations towards reaching their world-changing goals. Finding such leaders can be a challenge; and yet their transition into leadership is vital to an organisations mission and success.

Oxford HR is a global leadership consultancy dedicated to searching for and supporting remarkable leaders and teams in purpose-led organisations.

We understand the nuances of purpose-led leadership because we’ve worked in organisations across the breadth of the sector ourselves. We’ve also worked with such organisations since 1995; so we appreciate just what benefits impactful people can bring.