Job description

                                                                                                                 Vacancy Announcement

                                                                         Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

                                                                                           Knowledge, Policy and Finance Centre (KPFC)

Publication Date:                             06 July 2026

Deadline For Application:               05 August 2026(at midnight, Abu Dhabi local Time)

Title and Grade:                                Team Lead, Socioeconomics and Just Energy Transitions, P4

Indicative Annual Salary:                 (a.) Annual Net Salary: USD 86,027.04 to USD 97,259.04[1]

                                                           (b.) Post Adjustment: USD 50,239.80 to USD 56,799.24[2]

Duration of Appointment:                One Year, with possible extension

Duty Station:                                     Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates                            

Entry on Duty:                                  As soon as possible

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is a leading global intergovernmental agency for energy transformation that serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, supports countries in their energy transitions, and provides state of the art data and analysis on technology, innovation, policy, finance and investment. IRENA drives 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, and energy security, for economic and social resilience and prosperity and a climate-proof future. IRENA’s membership comprises 170 countries and the EU. Together, they decide on the Agency’s strategic direction and programmatic activities, in line with the global energy discourse and priorities to accelerate the deployment of renewables-based energy transitions worldwide.

Within IRENA, the Knowledge, Policy and Finance Centre (KPFC) focuses on collecting data and conducting analyses to support the creation of enabling environments for investment and growth in renewables. The work encompasses statistics, resource assessment, socioeconomic and environmental impacts, as well as policy and finance. Based on this work, KPFC gives input to advisory services that the Agency provides to its members and at regional levels. 

KPFC’s Socioeconomics and Just Energy Transitions team explores the socioeconomic impacts and benefits of the transition to a renewables-based energy system, with a view towards supporting just energy transitions through integrated and holistic analysis and policy advice. This includes examining employment generation, gender equity aspects, skilling and education requirements, and opportunities for member states to leverage their local capacities to maximise value creation along the value chain of each renewable energy technology.

Duties and Responsibilities 

Under the overall guidance of the Director of Knowledge, Policy and Finance Centre, the Team Lead, Socioeconomics and Just Energy Transitions will be responsible for the following duties:

• Lead the work stream on the socioeconomic aspects of the energy transition, with a particular focus on quantitative and qualitative analysis regarding employment generation, local/regional value creation and skills, ensuring that IRENA continues to spearhead cutting-edge knowledge products and policy advice.
• Develop and draft high-quality analytical reports and documents and contribute relevant socioeconomic inputs to Agency-wide reports such as the World Energy Transitions Outlook.
• Provide policy insights and recommendations for countries, regions and the international community that take into account different starting points and socio-economic priorities of countries to ensure just and inclusive transition processes and outcomes, including in the context of capacity building activities.
• Manage and supervise a small multidisciplinary team working on just energy transition dimensions such as inclusion and gender equity, education, and rights-based approaches; setting priorities and ensuring alignment with IRENA’s work programme.
• Engage with member state representatives and key stakeholders, including at the General Assembly or Council, as well as platforms such as the Agency’s Collaborative Framework on Just and Inclusive Energy Transitions and the Call to Action on Skilling.  
• Disseminate the Agency’s socioeconomic work, including organising events and attending international, regional and national meetings, workshops and conferences to give presentations or participate in panel discussions. 
• Contribute to managerial tasks of the Division such as work programme development and reporting, proposal development for resource mobilisation, project and budget management. 
• Perform other duties as required.

Competencies:

Professionalism: Excellent knowledge of the socioeconomic aspects of the energy transition, with a focus on renewable energy. Sound understanding of policy processes related to the energy transition at the national and international level. Proven ability to undertake independent research and produce high-quality reports and other publications. Experience of writing project proposals.

Communication: Excellent drafting skills in English is an essential requirement for this position. 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; accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Accountability: Takes ownership for all responsibilities and honours 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; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors on going developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed.

Qualifications:

Education: Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in energy policy, energy or development economics, sustainable development, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in quantitative and qualitative policy research, policy development or policy advisory, related to the socioeconomic impacts of the energy transition; a proven track record of writing reports for policy-makers; evidence of profound understanding of the renewable energy sector, especially in developing and emerging economies; experience in international co-operation and in dealing with multilateral agencies and forums. Some team management experience preferred.

Language: Excellent command of written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of other languages is desirable.

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 are highly encouraged.

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.

[1] IRENA provides similar ICSC benefits and entitlements, including rental subsidy, education grant (for school aged children), annual leave, health insurance, provident fund, etc. as would be applicable.

[2] The post adjustment is a variable component that is adjusted periodically to reflect changes in the cost of living in a duty station. Post adjustment multiplier for Abu Dhabi duty station is currently 58.4%, determined by the International Civil Service Commission and subject to change without prior notice.