Deputy Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency - D2

IRENA is a new intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the promotion of renewable energy. IRENA’s Statute was adopted on 26 January 2009 in Bonn, Germany, by 75 founding signatory states. As of October 2011, 149 countries and the European Union are engaged in the work of the Agency, out of which 85 are Members, including the European Union.

IRENA’s mandate is to promote the widespread and increased adoption and the sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy. To achieve this, IRENA provides practical advice and support to both industrialised and developing countries to improve their regulatory frameworks, to build local capacity and to promote the use of clean technologies. The Agency is working to facilitate access to all relevant information, including reliable data on the potential of renewable energy, best practices, effective financial mechanisms and state-of-the-art technological expertise.

Since its founding, IRENA has experienced rapid growth in terms of its membership, attesting to the importance attached to renewable energy by the International Community. IRENA’s membership is diverse. Some of its Members are oil producers, while others are small island states, entirely dependent on fossil fuel imports for their energy. Many rely on traditional biomass to satisfy their basic needs. Others have decades of experience in renewable energy generation. Such a diverse membership has differing requirements, as well as a wealth of experience, resources and specialist knowledge. IRENA has a unique position that enables it to tap into existing resources and capacities, and link them to those in most need.

IRENA seeks to recruit a Deputy Director-General who will report to the Director-General and be a leading member of the IRENA senior management.  The Deputy Director-General will support the Director-General in the leadership and management of IRENA.

Under the supervision of the Director-General, the Deputy Director-General will carry out the following duties:

• Assist the Director-General in strategic management and programme design, formulation, and implementation, in line with IRENA’s mandate, mission, objectives and accountability framework. Identify opportunities and challenges, and assist in determining the vision and strategy to respond to these opportunities and challenges to achieve IRENA’s goals and objectives.
• Supervise and assess work in progress to ensure delivery of results according to performance standards, overall objectives and accountability framework. Provide intellectual leadership and technical guidance to meet objectives.
• Monitor and evaluate political, economic and technical developments and trends, with the view to providing advice on strategies, goals and objectives.
• Maintain active relationship/partnership with Members, private sector, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, regional entities, institutes and academia to enhance collaboration, cooperation and alliances on programme implementation, and sustained partnerships to promote accelerated uptake of renewables.
• Represent IRENA in meetings, events and other fora, and actively seek opportunities to strengthen collaboration/alliances/partnerships with wide ranging constituencies.
• Oversee the internal management of IRENA on the delegated authority of the Director-General, including developing necessary policies and procedures taking into account relevant legislation and best practices, and ensure effective functioning of coherent communications structures and systems;
• Promote teamwork to ensure harmonization, linkages, collaboration and synergy and ensure that staff members are provided sufficient information, guidance and support to perform and deliver results according to the organizational, personal and professional standards of efficiency, accountability and integrity.
• Provide substantive leadership to all administrative and operational matters, in particular on the coordination and collaboration between programmatic divisions and service areas.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the range of programme, policy and management issues under the scope of IRENA and the ability to provide advice, at the senior level, on technical issues related to renewable energy, including financing, technology, and resources assessments. Demonstrates political astuteness, technical expertise and intellectual capacity in representing the organization effectively at high levels in national and international fora to advocate and to promote organizational priorities, initiatives and understanding of the organizational strategic agenda.  Ability to establish and maintain broad strategic networks and partnerships to build partnerships so as to further, as per its Statute, the objectives of the Agency.
Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; develops risk preparedness and allows for contingencies; and monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Solid understanding of best management practices; aligns management policies and practices to support achievement of organizational goals.
Accountability: Fair and transparent decision-making and calculated risk-taking. Takes ownership of delegated responsibilities and authorities; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.
Leadership: Motivate and empower staff to translate vision into results; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of actors to understand needs and gain support; drives for change and improvement; shows the courage to take unpopular stands when necessary.
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; Builds and promotes partnerships across the organization and beyond; creates an empowering and motivating environment.

Requirements

Work experience: At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in renewable energy, project development and finance, sector analysis and programme implementation at local, national and international levels. Detailed understanding of renewable energy policies, technologies and industries related to IRENA’s mandate in the context of sustainable development. Over 15 years of extensive experience that combines intellectual, strategic, technical and managerial leadership in the renewable energy or related field, particularly those pertinent to IRENA’s strategic priorities. Work experience in senior management assignments in public and/or private sector, preferably in an international setting;
Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field.
Language: Fluency in oral and written English is essential.  Knowledge of other United Nations official languages would be an advantage. 
Length of Service: Pursuant to IRENA Regulations, the Deputy Director-General will be appointed for two years with the possibility of extension for up to a maximum of eight years.