About this role
Vacancy Announcement
Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Knowledge, Policy and Finance Centre (KPFC)
Publication/Transmission Date: 12 November 2026
Deadline for Application: 03 December 2026 (at midnight, Abu Dhabi Local Time)
Title and Grade: Associate Professional – Geospatial analyst
Indicative Annual Salary: USD 36,000 to 54,000 and other benefits[1]
Duration of Appointment: One year, with possible extension
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 mandated to promote the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy. At present, IRENA has 171 Members that acceded to its Statute, 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.
Within this mandate, the Knowledge, Policy, and Finance Centre (KPFC) focuses on collecting data, developing knowledge platforms, and conducting analysis to support the creation of enabling environments for investment and growth in renewables. This entails analytical work on policy and finance, building a gateway to knowledge, providing input to advisory services that the Agency provides to its member states and at regional levels, and engaging in targeted ways with the private sector and civil society.
The Global Atlas for Renewable Energy (hereafter referred to as Global Atlas) is an international partnership coordinated by IRENA. It aims to provide data and tools for countries and communities to prospect for and harness their renewable energy potential. Initiated in 2010, it has gathered a community of 300 000 users as of 2023, exploiting freely available renewable energy resource and ancillary datasets. The Global Atlas continues to evolve both in the scope of renewable energy resource datasets available on the platform and in the number and applications available, including SolarCity and Bioenergy simulators.
The SolarCity simulator is designed to help cities in developing countries assess the business case for solar energy in urban development planning. This tool would enable the user to simulate profitability at the individual homeowner level and the prospective positive impact at the policymaker level of establishing solar rooftop markets in a specific city, to understand the parameters that could drive such a positive impact.
The Bioenergy Simulator is a web-based application developed to estimate potential bioenergy and plan bioenergy development across numerous combinations of area, biomass resource, technology, and end-use. The simulator aims to raise awareness on modern bioenergy production options to help meet global climate goals, decarbonise the world’s energy system, and ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable energy for all.
The prospective recruit will support IRENA’s Resource Assessment unit in maintaining the Global Atlas platform and its applications and provide assistance to more member countries of the Agency.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the Director of KPFC, and in close cooperation with the lead of the Renewable Energy Resource Assessment unit, the Associate Professional will perform the following duties:
- Support the development of the SolarCity simulator for more cities and assess its impacts.
- Support the development of the Global Atlas platform and Bioenergy simulator.
- Support the activities of the Renewable Energy Resource Assessment unit and ensure coordination with other teams and divisions within IRENA on topics such as renewable energy resources, contributing to knowledge management within the Agency.
- Assist in the preparation of various workshops, forums and other high-level events related to the activity areas described above, including research, compilation and background material, presentations, talking points, concept notes, agendas, etc.
- Participate and assist in implementing a database of stakeholders related to the platforms, including contributors, users, and service requests, and conduct regular analytics of the user base of the platform and related tools.
- Perform other duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates growing 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; 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.
Qualifications
Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Science, Engineering, Environment, or Renewable Energy-related fields. A first-level university degree, in combination with qualifying experience, may be accepted instead of an advanced university degree.
Experience: Relevant professional experience in the field of renewable energy resource assessment. Knowledge of finance could be an advantage. Demonstrated ability to implement projects with good analytical skills and to produce reports and papers on renewable energy resource assessment.
Language: Excellent command of written and spoken English is essential. Fluency in other languages would be of additional benefit.
Skills: Strong quantitative and data analytical skills and Excel/IT skills are required.
Eligibility
Applicants should be no more than 32 years of age at the time of submitting their applications.
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 two professional references who might be contacted if their application is shortlisted.
Applications from qualified women, especially from nationals of developing countries, are highly encouraged.
Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for an interview and will receive notice of the outcome of the selection process.
[1] Amount of monthly lump-sum depends on qualifications and years of relevant work experience. In addition: a monthly accommodation allowance (USD 1,600); relocation grant upon arrival/separation if relocation involved (USD 1,200); installation grant if relocation involved (USD 1,300); health insurance; other entitlements as applicable.