Job Description

Vacancy Announcement

Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Country Engagement and Partnerships Division (CEP )

Publication/Transmission Date: 12 February 2025


Deadline for Application: 26 February 2025 (at midnight, Abu Dhabi Local Time)


Title and Grade: Intern, SIDS Lighthouses Initiative


Duration of Appointment: 6 Months


Indicative Remuneration: Monthly stipend and accommodation allowance \[1]


Duty Station: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates


Date for Entry on Duty: As soon as possible



Background

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental 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 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.



Objectives of the Internship Assignment

The internship post is located in the Country Engagement and Partnerships (CEP) Division within the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative team. The selected candidate will support IRENA activitiesin relation to the coordination and implementation of the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative work programme and the twelve priority areas in the Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea (AIS), Caribbean and Pacific Regions. as well as provide support in other activities supporting the energy transition of Small Islands Developing States (SIDS), thus achieving the transformation from a predominantly fossil-based to a renewables-based and resilient energy system.


Responsibilities

Under the direct guidance of the Head of Partnerships and supervision of the Programme Officer, SIDS Lighthouses Initiative, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:


• Programme Coordination and Implementation
+ Support the coordination and implementation of the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative work programme.
+ Conduct research, data collection, and analysis on the twelve priority areas of the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative.
• Communication and Outreach
+ Assist in updating the SIDS LHI website, LinkedIn, and Facebook pages.
+ Contribute to the development of media and outreach materials, including tweets, press releases, videos, and updates to SIDS publications, country profiles, and renewable energy capacity data.
• Research and Knowledge Development
+ Monitor trends, emerging issues, and initiatives related to energy transition, climate action, renewable energy, and energy efficiency in SIDS.
+ Contribute to SIDS-related publications, including the SIDS LHI Annual Progress Report.
• Event Coordination
+ Support the organization and follow-up of workshops, technical meetings, high-level events, and other activities, including the preparation of background materials and logistical arrangements.
• Documentation and Reporting
+ Assist in preparing meeting updates, summaries, country briefs, talking points, presentations, and official correspondence.
• Stakeholder Engagement
+ Maintain and update the contact details of SIDS Lighthouses Initiative focal points monthly or as needed.
+ Develop and maintain a stakeholder mapping for SIDS and SIDS-focused initiatives.
• Monitoring and Tracking
+ Monitor and update a list of global, regional, and national events relevant to SIDS energy transition and climate action.
• Additional Tasks
+ Perform any other duties as assigned.

Learning Areas

During the internship period, the successful applicant will develop a deep understanding of the energy transition in SIDS, in particular, the opportunities that renewable energy technologies can offer SIDS, the distinctive challenges that they face and solutions to address the barriers to renewable energy deployment. The intern will gain exposure to the tools and assessments that support the implementation of climate action in SIDS through energy transition and will also be able to further develop their research, analytical thinking, planning, organising and communication skills.



Timeframe

The internship is for a period of six months commencing on/about as soon as possible. The exact period will be determined based on the availability of the intern and the needs of the programme. The maximum duration of the internship is nine months, subject to the intern's continued university enrolment and performance.



Minimum Requirements

• Candidates must have completed an undergraduate degree and be enrolled in a Master's or doctorate programme at a recognized university at the time of application and for the duration of the internship or recent graduates will also be included in the internship programme provided the start date of the internship is less than six months from completion of studies..
• Preference would be given to the candidates with qualification in renewable energy, climate change, energy policy or law, project finance, engineering, economics, energy data and statistics, sustainable development, international relations, or related field.
• The candidate should be aware of and understand energy transition, climate change, renewable energy and energy efficiency in the context of Small Island Developing States.
• The candidate should possess experience of drafting, preparing and reviewing of various documents and coordinating with different types of stakeholders.
• Experience planning and organising events as well as data analysis and management is desirable.
• The candidate should have a good command of MS Office.
• The candidate must be able to work in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.
• The candidate should be able to work under tight deadlines, and to demonstrate an ability to prioritise work and work independently.
Excellent command of both written and spoken English is essential. Good knowledge of both written and spoken Spanish, French or Portuguese languages is desirable.
•

Internship Conditions

IRENA internships may be remunerated if an intern is not already sponsored by their government, university or institution. In such cases, the intern is requested to indicate their sponsorship in their cover letter.


Interns of IRENA are not considered to be staff members. The selected intern will work on a full-time basis (40 hours per week) at the duty station in Abu Dhabi, UAE.


For more detailed information about the IRENA Internship Programme, please visit the internships section on our employment webpage: https://www.irena.org/About/Employment .


Application Procedure

Candidates who are interested in this assignment and meet the minimum requirements must apply for the abovementioned vacancy on-line, through IRENA's recruitment platform, ORC, by submitting a complete and comprehensive CV and a letter of interest. Due to the high number of applications, only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for an interview and will receive notice of the outcome of the selection process.



Applications from qualified women, especially from nationals of Least Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States are highly encouraged.





\[1] If the selected intern is not otherwise sponsored and they are recruited outside of the commuting distance to the selected duty station, they will be they will be remunerated at a rate of USD 1,200 a month plus daily accommodation rate of AED150\. In addition, the organization will pay for and arrange the intern's travel to and from the duty station for those interns who are selected from outside of the commuting area to its premises in Abu Dhabi.