Junior Professional Officer (gn) - World Energy Transitions

Junior Professional Officer (JPO)

Chiffre Nr. 2025-2-51

Job Title: JPO Associate Programme Officer (gn) – World Energy Transitions

Division / Section: IRENA Innovation and Technology Centre (IITC)

Duty station: Bonn, Germany

Duration: 2 years with possibility of extension for another year. The extension of appointment is subject to yearly review concerning priorities, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance.

Please note that for participants of the JPO-Programme two years work experience are mandatory! Relevant work experience can be counted. In order to assess the eligibility of the candidates, we review the relevant experience acquired after obtaining the first university degree (usually bachelor’s degree).

Organisational context and organisational setting

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 168 Members (167 States and the European Union) that acceded to its Statute, and 16 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 the view to sustainable development, increased energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity. 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.

In close cooperation with the other IRENA divisions, IITC’s work on energy transformation covers, among others, the areas of renewable energy roadmaps, energy planning and modelling, power system transformation, flexibility studies, project development and facilitation, innovation, standards, patents and quality assurance, as well as costing and competitiveness of renewables. Within the IITC, IRENA’s REmap (Renewable Energy Roadmap) programme determines the potential for countries, regions and the world to scale up renewable energy, energy efficiency and other low carbon technologies. The programme assesses technology potential assembled from the bottom-up, starting with country analyses done in collaboration with country experts, and then aggregating these results to arrive at a global picture.

IRENA’s REmap team continually engages with experts by means of detailed country, regional and global analysis and reports. In order to do so, an extensive set of country- specific information need to be collected, harmonized and maintained. That includes country background information, general information about the economy, energy statistics, energy plans and projections, resource availability, energy policies, energy pricing, etc. From the analysis of that information using the REmap analytical framework, the REmap team is able to explore options for renewable energy and low carbon technology uptake in countries, regions and globally.

IRENA Sekretariat

In addition to this ongoing effort, the REmap programme is also strengthening its analytical capabilities relating to long-term decarbonization and power system analysis and understanding of renewables in the end-use sectors of transport, industry and buildings. The result of this expanded focus will be a more thorough examination of the types of technologies on sector level that will be needed to enable an effective Global Energy Transformation.

IRENA has published six editions of its annual flagship global energy transition reports since 2017. The latest 2023 edition named “World Energy Transitions Outlook” outlined a pathway for the world to achieve the Paris Agreement goals and halt the pace of climate change by transforming the global energy landscape. This report presented options to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C and bring CO2 emissions to net zero by 2050, offering high-level insights on technology choices, investment needs, policy framework and the socio-economic impacts of achieving a sustainable, resilient and inclusive energy future. The preparations for 2025 edition of the report are ongoing and will bring an updated analysis on G20 countries with consideration of national updated energy policy and plans, COP announcements and further policy interventions to deliver the net zero pathway by 2050.

Duties and responsibilities

The JPO will work under the supervision of the Head, Renewable Energy Transition Roadmaps (Remap) to support the preparation of IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook (WETO) and will:

1. Support the mapping of existing and updated energy plans and energy transition scenarios from various countries, but especially G20 countries on transport and subsectors.
2. Carry out the development of country reference cases, the so-called Planned Energy Scenario, with a focus on transport and sub-sectors for WETO.
3. Support in the drafting, tracking and progress of reports and documentation on energy transition in selected countries, including collection of latest statistics, market performance and policies.
4. Provide guidance on the development of energy transition scenarios for WETO with a focus on transport and sub-sectors.
5. Convene and facilitate meetings and conferences, including the preparation of documents, presentations and slide decks in relation to WETO; provide written inputs towards WETO documents and lead on WETO publication processes including.
6. The preparation of graphs, tables and inputs for infographics and chapters, as well as any communication with the designer and editor.
7. Carry out administrative activities related to team coordination, publications, procurement, and work program/budget reporting.
8. Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Team lead.

Required qualifications

Education: Master’s degree in energy, engineering, economics or a related field.

Experience: A minimum of two years of work experience with a focus on transport and sub-sectors (road, rail, shipping and aviation, both domestic and international) long-term modelling and model development with consideration of different policy settings on various geographical scopes; Excellent report writing skills and experience drafting policy relevant reports and documents; Knowledge of energy modelling tools and methodologies is highly valued; Ability to work in a multicultural environment; Ability to work under minimal supervision and with a high level of resilience; Strong analytical skills and meticulous attention to detail.

Languages: Excellent command of written and spoken English is a must. Knowledge of other languages is desirable.

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.

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.