Vacancy Announcement

Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Country Engagement and Partnerships (CEP)

Deadline for Application: 1 July 2021 (at midnight, Abu Dhabi Local Time)

Title: Consultant - IRENA Caribbean Focal Point

Total Fees: USD 60,000

Contract Type: Individual Contractor / Consultant

Duration of Contract: 12 Months

Location: Remote

Expected Date for Entry on Duty: As soon as possible

Background

The International Renewable Energy Agency is an inter-governmental 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 164 Members (163 States and the European Union) that acceded to its Statute, and 21 additional States in the process of accession and actively engaged.

Country Engagement and Partnerships Division (CEP) leads the work with countries. It supports them in the development and implementation of national and regional renewable energy strategies, by contextualizing the knowledge being developed in the other three divisions of IRENA, to the national requirements. Its activities enable a systematic overview of country and regional needs, experiences and trends to help facilitate cross-fertilization of best practices between countries and regions, and shape IRENA's future programmatic priorities.

It is essential for IRENA to engage an expert from the region with sound knowledge and experience about the uniqueness of the economic, social, cultural and geographical features of the Caribbean islands. Furthermore, it is a valuable opportunity for building relationships, networking and sustaining a prominent profile in the region that meets the expectations of IRENA Caribbean members.

To support IRENA efforts in facilitating the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to reduce the dependency on petroleum, a number of specific projects and activities have been developed and included in the IRENA Work Programme and Budget for 2020-2021, particularly in the thematic area: “Network Hub for Energy Transformation – Partnerships: SIDS Lighthouses Initiative”.

Objectives and outcomes

The Caribbean Focal Point shall contribute towards the representation of IRENA in the Caribbean region and shall support the implementation of IRENA’s regional activities in an integrated manner, with a view to supporting the establishment of an enabling environment for accelerated renewable energy deployment which will facilitate the transition in the region from systems highly dependent on fossil fuels to renewable energy-based systems.

Assignment

Under the guidance of the Director, Country Engagement and Partnerships (“CEP”), and the immediate supervision of the Head of Partnerships, the IRENA Caribbean Focal Point shall support the implementation of IRENA’s activities in the Caribbean region.

The IRENA activities related to the Caribbean region, which the Caribbean Focal Point shall support, include but are not limited to the following:

1. SIDS Lighthouses Initiative (SIDS LHI)

• Facilitate interaction with LHI partners in the region;
• Collect information and data from countries and stakeholders in the Caribbean region;
• Support the development of and updates to knowledge products (including, but not limited to, country profiles);
• Support and implement IRENA’s work on enhancing Caribbean member countries NDCs
• Support the delivery of Investment Forums in the Caribbean
• Contribute to the work of IRENA on the nexus between energy and food, water and health;
• Contribute to the work of IRENA on sustainable transport as well as on energy efficiency in the Caribbean region;
• Support data collection and analysis on SIDS LHI priority areas progress indicators and impact measures; and
• Substantially contribute to the preparation of an annual progress report on SIDS LHI.

2. Energy Roadmaps and Renewable Readiness Assessments (RRA)

• Follow up on the actions taken by relevant countries based on the RRA recommendations, as requested;
• Facilitate interactions with development partners for the implementation of RRA recommendations for Antigua and Barbuda, Dominican Republic and Grenada;
• Liaise with Caribbean SIDS to gauge interest in undertaking additional RRAs for end-use sectors and to support their implementation, upon request; and
• Liaise with Caribbean SIDS in the development of national RE roadmaps.

3. Technical Advisory Services and Capacity Building

• Provide support in organizing and running technical advisory services and capacity building activities;
• Review renewable energy policies or roadmaps for Caribbean SIDS, as requested;
• Contribute to the advisory services in the context of the National Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the Caribbean (including review of NDCs);
• Support joint capacity building activities for IRENA tools and platforms such as Project Navigator, Sustainable Energy Marketplace, ADFD Facility, etc.;
• Participate and represent IRENA in regional, national, and international meetings, workshops, upon request;
• Work closely with Caribbean SIDS for capacity building activities either at a national, regional or international level and promote/assist Caribbean SIDS participation in IRENA capacity building activities;
• Provide support in carrying out research, developing reports, brochures and related public awareness and communication material (which may include the development of videos, flyers, social media campaigns etc.);
• Provide support in data collection and analysis on topics related to the priority areas of the Lighthouses Initiative, including information on electrification of health centers in the region; and
• Support logistics arrangements for workshops and meetings.

4. Global Geothermal Alliance (GGA)

• Liaise with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Caribbean SIDS members of the GGA regarding GGA and IRENA activities relevant to the region; and
• Monitor, assess, and report on relevant geothermal developments in the Caribbean in terms of research and financial programmes, capacity building activities, roadmaps, policies and regulation, projects under development and exploration.

5. Grid Stability

• Assist in the implementation of grid stability studies in Caribbean SIDS either through in-country workshops, data collection, logistics, etc.;
• Facilitate training workshops and outreach programmes for all key stakeholders; and
• Follow up on recommendations of grid stability studies for Caribbean SIDS.

6. Collaborations and Partnerships

• Coordinate activities under Partnership Agreements in the Region including but not limited to SIDS DOCK and AOSIS

7. Assist with the implementation of the other Caribbean-region-related projects and activities upon request by IRENA.

The Caribbean Focal Point shall provide support to the coordination and implementation of the IRENA work programme activities for the Caribbean region, coordinating effectively with the governments of Caribbean SIDS, power utilities, development partners and relevant stakeholders. This will help further develop a network for IRENA in the Caribbean region.

It is expected that the Caribbean Focal Point shall undertake at least four (4) missions, each for a period of approximately five (5) days, throughout the term of the contract, although IRENA shall advise the Caribbean Focal Point of the exact details of such travel, if any, during the contract term. Any such travel shall be undertaken in accordance with the IRENA Travel Policy.

The Caribbean Focal Point shall submit a report via email every two (2) weeks to Head of Partnerships, CEP on the progress of the implementation of activities. Based on these implementation reports, the Caribbean Focal Point shall also submit a more detailed implementation report every two (2) months.

In the implementation of the work, Caribbean Focal Point shall interact with relevant IRENA project managers as needed. The priorities of the Caribbean Focal Point’s work shall be periodically reviewed by the Focal Point supervisors and any revisions thereto shall be duly communicated to the Caribbean Focal Point.

The Caribbean Focal Point shall work remotely and should be able to demonstrate flexibility in working hours to account for various time zones. During the contract period, the Caribbean Focal Point shall not have concurrent employment or service contracts.

The Caribbean Focal Point shall receive a monthly payment of USD 5000 based on the satisfactory performance by the Caribbean Focal Point of all of its assigned responsibilities as detailed in these Terms of Reference, including but not limited to the timely submission via email of the implementation report every two (2) weeks, the more detailed implementation report every two (2) months and a copy of the completed attendance register at the end of each month.

Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree on energy systems, renewable energy technologies, or energy economics, or energy management, or sustainable energy systems;

Experience: At least 5 years of experience in renewable energy project development including coordination and implementation for the Caribbean islands; well established networks with the relevant national, regional and international organisations, power utilities, and the governments of the Caribbean SIDS; proven record on satisfactory deliverables; and expertise on resilience, grid stability issues and power purchase agreements is desirable. Sound knowledge of renewable energy technologies and expert-level technical expertise on key renewable energy systems and extensive experience in their deployment in the Caribbean region, particularly the knowledge of the major issues that need to be addressed for sustainable operation of the renewable energy systems in the Caribbean climates; and good understanding of energy policy development processes, renewable energy policy and regulatory frameworks and their effectiveness in specific Caribbean islands contexts, and energy planning concepts;

Language: Good command of written and spoken English and excellent report writing skills;

Qualified candidates must apply for the above-mentioned vacancy on-line, through IRENA’s recruitment platform, Taleo, 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.

Note that candidate should be capable of working together with people from different national and cultural backgrounds. IRENA is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to.

Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for further assessment and receive notice of the final outcome of the selection process.

Apply at: https://employment.irena.org/careersection/1/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&portal=8205020217&job=CT0432