TERMS OF REFERENCE Title: Division: Duty Station: Duration: Junior Professional Officer, Partnerships, P2 Country Support and Partnerships Division (CSP) Abu Dhabi, UAE Initially 1 year, renewable for another year Background The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an inter-governmental organisation mandated with the widespread and increased adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy. At present, IRENA has 156 Members (155 States and the European Union) that acceded to its Statute, and 24 additional States in the process of accession and actively engaged. IRENA supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy. The Agency implements its mandate with a view to sustainable development, increased energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity. IRENA s Country Support and Partnerships Division (CSP) provides targeted institutional and technical assistance and advisory support in three strategic areas, notably renewable resource identification and assessment; support for the implementation of enabling frameworks to investment; and capacity building. The Global Geothermal Alliance (GGA) initiative was launched during COP21 in Paris on 7 December 2015 to serve as a global platform for improved dialogue, cooperation and coordinated action between geothermal industry, policy makers and geothermal stakeholders, where IRENA acts as the coordinator and facilitator of the initiative. GGA aims at increasing the share of geothermal energy in the global energy mix through both geothermal power generation and direct use of geothermal heat. The GGA constituency has expanded to include more than 70 member countries and partner institutions across the globe. In an effort to unlock geothermal investments on a global scale, the Alliance provides customised support to regions and countries with geothermal market potential, facilitate the exchange of insights and experience among key stakeholders in the geothermal energy value chain, and provide technical assistance, advisory and capacity building to foster an enabling environment for geothermal energy development. The Agency has developed a portfolio of regional and thematic activities to support geothermal deployment, including, in the Pacific, Eastern Africa and Central America and on district heating and cooling in cities. Through coordinated outreach and in close collaboration with key stakeholders, these initiatives aim at raising awareness in countries on geothermal energy applications; strengthening the enabling policy and regulatory frameworks; and enhancing institutional and human capacities to promote more accelerated deployment of geothermal energy in the power generation and its direct use. The Junior Professional Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Head, Partnerships and Technical Advisory Services and the overall guidance of the Director of the Country Support and Partnerships Division. Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations
The Junior Professional Officer will be assigned the following duties: Support the Agency s activities in relation to the coordination and facilitation of the Global Geothermal Alliance, including in the context of creation of the practitioner group(s) and establishment of the knowledge sharing platform; Support the work on geothermal energy in end-use sectors, including district heating and cooling in the urban setting as well as food production and processing; Support the work on renewable energy in Small Islands Developing States, including the Pacific geothermal capacity building programme. Prepare inputs regarding geothermal energy related work undertaken by other units and divisions; Assist in the organization of consultative workshops and technical meetings ensuring effective participation of key stakeholders, experts and partners; prepare inputs, presentations, and draft correspondence for management; Perform any other tasks assigned. Qualifications Education: Advanced university degree (Master s degree or equivalent) in the field of engineering or any other related field. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Work experience: At least two years of relevant work experience; experience in geothermal energy and in the islands context is an asset. Languages: Excellent command of both written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is an advantage. Required competencies Professionalism: 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. 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. 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 honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.
TERMS OF REFERENCE Title: Division: Duty Station: Duration: Junior Professional Officer, Transforming Power Grids, P2 IRENA Innovation and Technology Centre (IITC) Bonn, Germany Initially 1 year, renewable for another year Background IRENA is an inter-governmental organization, mandated by Governments worldwide to promote the widespread and increased adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy. In order to do so, IRENA will facilitate access to all relevant renewable energy. It facilitates and analyses the sharing of best practices and lessons learned regarding policy frameworks, capacity-building activities, available financial mechanisms and relevant technologies on renewable energy. IRENA Innovation and Technology Centre (IITC) is responsible for the provision of the means for an accelerated renewable energy technology uptake, considering national conditions of resource endowment, social and economic frameworks. In accordance with the IRENA Statute, activities in this field include analysis of renewable energy technology policies; dissemination of information and increased awareness; technologies and equipment overview and assessment of success-failure factors; improved pertinent knowledge and technology transfer, and joint RD&D and provision of information about the development and deployment of national and international technical standards in relation to renewable energy. Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations: In collaboration with the Technology Roadmap Analyst of IITC, the Junior Professional Officer position supports the technology roadmaps and knowledge framework activities in the Transforming Power Grid Infrastructure through two projects. 1. From Grids to Mini-grids: Integrating renewables from the bottom-up The project From Grids to Mini-grids: Integrating renewables from the bottom-up will examine the role that mini-grids can play in transforming the power grid infrastructure to renewables. Mini-grids have traditionally been examined in the context of rural electrification and renewable energy integration in islands where there is limited or no connection to transmission networks. Recent technological advances with mini-grids, the need for more resilient grid infrastructures, and the growth of decentralized renewable energy deployment have spurred developments and interest in grid-connected mini-grids. Such mini-grids could potentially balance supply and demand at a local level, and subsequently change the operation, management, and ownership structures of large-scale grids. For example, the development of Smart Communities is allowing neighborhoods and cities to manage energy more locally. In the context of this project, the Junior Professional Officer will:
Examine existing technological developments in micro- and mini-grids systems, including the impact of supporting technologies like storage, software development, and control systems; Provide a status update of mini-grids for renewable energy grid integration at a local level; Help determine existing institutional, regulatory and policy barriers that are impacting the deployment of min-grids for renewables; Identify potential areas and applications where mini-grids could support the integration of renewables; Identify best-practices and policy lessons for decision makers; Assist in the management of possible modelling activities supporting the analysis. Perform other tasks as required. Results expected: The Junior Professional Officer would undertake the required analysis for a working paper on this topic and ensure that the results of the analysis feed back into the technology roadmaps and knowledge framework. The timeframe for this project would be six months. 2. Renewables integration through electric vehicles Although the electric vehicle market is still in a nascent stage, the growth figures are still doubling on a year to year basis. In the first quarter of 2014, more electrics (EV) were sold than in the whole year of 2011. The corresponding battery demand for lithium-ion was 1.4 GWh in the same quarter, with 44% of batteries provided by Panasonic. IRENA s renewable energy roadmap (REmap 2030) suggests that EV could reach around 10% of the total car fleet, equivalent to around 160 million vehicles. This extension of the electricity grid into the transport sector is potentially an opportunity to replace gasoline with renewables-based electricity, add additional storage capacity, and support the integration of variable renewables. On the one hand side, batteries at the end of car life could be used as stationary storage. On the other hand, smart control systems could use plugged-in vehicles as instantaneous battery banks. The aim of this project is to examine the role the electric vehicles could play in supporting the integration of variable renewables. In the context of this project, the Junior Professional Officer will: Map existing activities and research programmes on the role of EVs for renewable energy grid integration (e.g. by examining EV roadmaps developed by countries like Germany and Ireland or the CEM EVI group). Identify areas and gaps in analysis where IRENA can contribute to knowledge and policy development for electric vehicles and renewable grid integration;
Based on the mapping and gap analysis, provide an overview of the key barriers and opportunities for electric vehicles for RE grid integration in different areas of application (including islands and cities); Write a report on the possibilities of EV for RE grid integration; Assist in the management of possible modelling activities supporting the analysis. Perform other tasks as required. Results expected: The Junior Professional Officer would undertake the required analysis for a working paper on this topic, establish relationships with other entities and organisations working on this topic, and ensure that the results of the analysis feed back into the technology roadmaps and knowledge framework. The timeframe for this project would be six months. Required Competencies: Professionalism: 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. Good report writing skills. 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. Good teamworking capacity with people from different national and cultural backgrounds. Planning and 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. Qualifications: Education: Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in electrical engineering, economics or related fields. Work experience: Experience with renewable energy and power grids. Languages: Good command of written and spoken English; knowledge of other languages is an advantage.