Director, IRENA Innovation and Technology Centre, D-1

Position description

The IRENA Innovation and Technology Centre (IITC) is responsible for the provision of the means to accelerate renewable energy technology uptake, considering national conditions of resource endowment, as well as social and economic frameworks. In accordance with the IRENA Statute, activities in this field include: analysis of renewable energy technology policies; promotion of innovation; dissemination of information and increased awareness; technology overview and assessment of success-failure factors; improved pertinent knowledge and technology transfer; joint research, development and demonstration; and provision of information about the development and deployment of national and international technical standards in relation to renewable energy.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership as well as overall management of the Division;
• Leads the formulation and implementation of the substantive work programme of the Division;
• Acts as principal adviser to the Director-General on all matters pertaining to innovation and renewable energy technologies;
• Leads the execution of the IITC operation by ensuring proper management of the facility, proper use and aligment with host government standards;
• Manages and designs action plans, required to support and ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the division’s operations.
• Oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Office, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance, interviews and evaluation of candidates for job openings, among other tasks;
• Ensures the development, preparation, coordination and monitoring of overall work plans, strategies and programs for the Division and takes the lead in securing the required human and financial resources;
• Contributes to the development of voluntary contributions which will diversify the division’s funding, with a particular emphasis on projects which relate Innovation and Technology;
• Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Office and across organizational boundaries, including other Divisions;
• Collaborates with other Divisions to develop strategies, content and identify possible synergies to support the mandate of the Agency;
• Chair meetings, seminars, moderate panels on substantive related issues; represents the Organization at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conference; provides programmatic/substantive expertise on issues, and holds programmatic/substantive and organization discussions with representatives of other institutions;
• Represents the Division at international, regional or national meetings;
• Coaches staff members under his or her responsibility, supports them in development of their career objectives and empowers them by providing them with autonomy to undertake their responsibility under clear accountability frameworks;
• Performs related duties as may be required by the Director-General;
• Builds partnerships and collaborates with the academic, scientific community and international organization to facilitate innovation and dissemination of state-of-the-art renewable energy technologies.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Excellent understanding of renewable energy technology, markets or technology policy frameworks. 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; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations;
• 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;
• Planning & Organizing: 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;
• Accountability: Stands accountable for the accuracy and completeness of information under his/her control and handling of the information in a discreet and confidential manner; takes ownership for all responsibilities and honour commitments; 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; takes 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;
• 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.

Qualifications

• Education: Advanced university degree in Engineering, Energy Economics or any other related and relevant area;
• Work Experience: A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in programme management and performance reporting or related field, including demonstrated work experience at international level, of which over 10 years leading teams, is required. Strong analytical skills is required; knowledge in energy technologies is required; experience in leading multi-cultural, multi disciplined teams is required; experience in data analysis for the production of evidence-based knowledge products/content is required; experience in strategic planning is required; strong global professional network is desirable; experience assessing and evaluating implementation of programmes and policies is desirable;
• Language: Excellent command of written and spoken English is required. Knowlother languages, notably German, is desirable.

Application instructions

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