Chief of Staff, D-1

                     Vacancy Announcement

Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

              Office of the Director-General (ODG)

Publication/Transmission Date:       23 January 2025

Deadline for Application:                  13 February 2025 (at midnight, Abu Dhabi Local Time)

Title and Grade:                                  Chief of Staff, D-1

Indicative Annual Salary:                   (a) Annual Net Salary: USD 116,095 to USD 129,561

                                                              (b) Post Adjustment: USD 85,213.73 to USD 95,097.77

Duration of Appointment:                  Two years (with possible extension subject to 

                                                              availability of funds)

Duty Station:                                       Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Date for Entry on Duty:                      As soon as possible

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future. 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 and actively engaged. IRENA serves as the principal platform for international co-operation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy. IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, including bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar and wind energy, in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director-General, the Chief of Staff is responsible for the following:

• Support the Director-General in the day-to-day management of the Agency;
• Ensure active and open communication to and from the Office of the Director- General (ODG) and keep the Director-General informed of critical issues requiring intervention and decision, internally and externally;
• Develop and implement work plans to achieve the mission and goals of the Office of the Director-General; manage the Director-General’s compact with the Senior Management Group to ensure objectives are being met;
• Undertake the management and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the ODG;
• Participate in the development of IRENA’s objectives and related policy formulation, development and implementation, as well as overall strategic planning and development of resource mobilization and business development to achieve IRENA’s goals;
• Identify strategic areas of intervention, in order to develop and implement the Agency’s Work Programme, taking into account the emerging needs and priorities of Members;
• Manage ODG activities, ensuring that the outputs maintain high quality standards, and that activities are coordinated within the division and across the Agency, as well as with other entities as appropriate;
• In collaboration with relevant divisions and offices/units, provide high-level support to IRENA’s engagement with external stakeholders;
• Develop and maintain relations with senior officials of Member States and ensure a response to requests for advice and/or assistance within the area of responsibility;
• Participate in or lead taskforces, working groups and meetings in support and on behalf of the Director-General;
• Serve as a member of the Senior Management Group, provide advice and counsel in IRENA’s strategic discussions, development and policy setting, and contribute to discussions of the Senior Management Group to ensure the work being undertaken across the Agency is reflected and contextualized in the interface with Members;
• Represent ODG in IRENA Governing Body meetings to present aspects of the division’s work and related budgetary expenditures, during planning and implementation phases;
• Represent IRENA in meetings, events and other fora to provide substantive and strategic expertise, actively seeking opportunities to strengthen collaboration, alliances and partnerships;
• Establish and maintain a broad network of relevant stakeholders including international organizations, partners, civil society and private sectors, and hold substantive and organizational discussions that can benefit the Agency;
• Provide guidance to departments and divisions in drafting materials for the Director- General, such as speeches and talking points;
• Promote a healthy working environment where staff members are provided with clear objectives, goals, direction, guidance and appropriate tools to enable them to meet their responsibilities effectively and efficiently;
• Manage and mentor staff under his/her supervision, in order to foster teamwork and communication among staff in the division, and across the Agency;
• Harness 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 and insights that will strengthen the quality of IRENA’s advice;
• Advise the Director-General on innovation and/or change management programmes and direction based on a review and evaluation of the Agency’s institutional performance and efficacy.

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to provide seasoned effective specialized advice in a broad range of areas to senior leadership. Knowledge in the area of organising and preparing for substantive meetings to discuss technical, programmatic and institutional matters, in line with the necessary policies, procedures and practices; ability to research and systematically organise background material, select, organise and summarise information required for the preparation of meetings and conferences; conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. 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.

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 the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.

Planning & Organising: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities where necessary; 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.

Accountability: Fair and transparent decision-making and calculated risk-taking; take ownership for all responsibilities and honour commitment; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes ownership of delegated responsibilities and authorities; take personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.

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.

Empowering Others: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; encourages others to set challenging goals; holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise; shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them.

Managerial Competencies

Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision- making 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.

Qualifications

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in International Relations, Public Administration, Renewable Energy or a related field, is required.

Experience: A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience at national and international levels in advisory and managerial positions. Knowledge of sustainable development, climate change and renewable energy issues at the international level as well as extensive work in an intergovernmental setting is required. Diplomatic experience and a proven knowledge of the United Nations system, including processes and working methods, are an asset.

Languages: Excellent command of written and spoken English is essential. Fluency in other languages an asset. Good drafting skills are an asset.

Other: Working knowledge of MS Office with emphasis on Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and on the application of database systems.

Qualified candidates must apply for the above-mentioned 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, especially from nationals of developing countries, 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.