Head of Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) Secretariat, Paris, France 345 views

The OECD is a global economic forum working with 36 member countries and more than 100 emerging and developing economies to make better policies for better lives. Our mission is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. The Organisation provides a unique forum in which governments work together to share experiences on what drives economic, social and environmental change, seeking solutions to common problems.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an intergovernmental organisation committed to advancing security of energy supply, economic growth and environmental sustainability through energy policy co-operation. The IEA operates as an autonomous body within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Both the OECD and the IEA seek opportunities to work with an increasing number of non-members of growing importance to the world economy. The Agency aims to foster the contribution of the energy sector to economic development and environmental sustainability.

The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) was created in 2010 as a voluntary and collaborative high-level forum which combines the leadership of energy ministers and engagement from the private sector and other international partners. CEM holds annual ministerial meetings in CEM member countries together with year-round CEM Initiatives and campaigns to drive faster deployment of clean energy policies and technologies worldwide.

The CEM membership is diverse, with 27 members from Europe, North America, South America, Asia, the Middle East, Australasia and Africa. These countries participate on an equal footing within the CEM and together account for about 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 90% of global clean energy investment. ;This diversity is also reflected in the rotating host of the annual Ministerial meetings which will take place in South America for the first time in 2020 and in the Middle East in 2021.

In June 2016, a decision was taken to establish a new, multilateral CEM Secretariat at the International Energy Agency (IEA), an intergovernmental organisation within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This means that the CEM and its members are now served by a small, international team based in Paris. The team works alongside energy experts in the IEA but operates under an independent governance structure and with its own ring-fenced budget.

The past 3 years have represented an extremely interesting period for the CEM as it has transitioned into a new era of ‘shared global leadership’. Under this model, all CEM Members play a role in leading, shaping and developing the work of the CEM, making it a unique construct in the clean energy space. The CEM Secretariat plays a very important role in supporting CEM Members, helping them in their efforts to identify new opportunities, to build new partnerships, to diversify sources of funding and to deliver high-impact results. With interest in the CEM continuing to grow, in terms of both new work and new membership requests, this focus on enhancing impact is a high priority for the CEM.

Other key functions of the CEM Secretariat include: connecting high-level strategic and political guidance from ministers with the day-to-day activities of the CEM, overseeing the CEM Preparatory and Ministerial meetings, supporting the development, direction, and review of CEM activities and integrating international expertise on a diverse set of clean energy issues into the work of the CEM.

We are therefore seeking to recruit a dynamic and visionary Head of Secretariat to lead the work of the CEM. The selected candidate will oversee the implementation of the CEM Secretariat’s ongoing work with CEM Members, the CEM’s technical workstreams and their partner organisations, under the direction and in close collaboration with the CEM Steering Committee. S/he will manage a small team of enthusiastic professionals.

Main Responsibilities

Leadership and strategy

• In partnership with ministerial host governments, work with the CEM Steering Committee members, the Sherpa Group and ministers to develop agendas that deliver on strategic priorities.
• Translate high-level strategic guidance from CEM ministers, the Sherpas’ Group and the Steering Committee into the day-to-day activities of the CEM’s technical work, known as initiatives and campaigns.
• Play a leading role in preparation of CEM preparatory and ministerial meetings, as well as other year-round CEM initiatives and campaigns.
• Actively develop and execute a funding strategy in order to help CEM initiatives and campaigns secure increased, steady, flexible and reliable resources for initiatives and campaigns.
• Drive forward the efforts of CEM workstreams to enhance their impact in the clean energy space and identify new opportunities to diversify their partnerships. This will require establishing strong relationships with the CEM Members leading the workstreams as well as world-class expert organisations that are well-placed to deliver CEM work.

Management

• Provide overall management for the CEM Secretariat functions which are centred around the following key pillars: (i) engaging and advising CEM Members, (ii) supporting CEM workstreams, (iii) funding and technical collaboration, (iv) institutional matters, (v) operational and ministerial meeting support; and (vi) impactful communications.
• Lead, motivate and develop a multinational team of dynamic and dedicated professionals who each have their own portfolio of country, workstream and other responsibilities. Foster a team environment which encourages high standards and innovation as well as job satisfaction, loyalty, effective management of workloads and staff development.
• Ensure that limited CEM Secretariat resources are used effectively and efficiently and that requirements are met in terms of fundraising for the CEM Secretariat function, annual budget reporting and donor reporting. Help co-ordinate and steer any funding mechanisms established to support initiative and campaign activities.

Representation and Liaison

• Establish and maintain close contacts with international organisations, expert organisations, foundations, the private sector and other stakeholders to build awareness and support for CEM initiatives and campaigns. Identify synergies with CEM work and assist initiative lead governments with the development of appropriate partnerships.
• Promote the work of the CEM through participation in events, workshops, and other high-level meetings and conferences. Represent the CEM Secretariat in international fora.
• Conduct sustained and broad relationship-building with CEM ministers, government representatives, international bodies, and other partners and stakeholders, including the IEA where the CEM Secretariat is based. Seek to maximise the analytical synergies between the activities of the CEM and the work carried out at the IEA and other international bodies.

• Tags

  clean energy

  economic cooperation

  economic development

  energy policy

  environmental sustainability

  fundraising

  job satisfaction

  middle east

  political science

  south america

• Liaise with the CEM Steering Committee and participate in its meetings to support its key functions as outlined in the CEM Framework document, including ensuring the CEM is delivering on its priorities and is providing maximum value to all members. Identify opportunities to support CEM initiatives, campaigns and the broader CEM efforts.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• Advanced university degree(s) in relevant disciplines, such as international relations, political sciences, energy policy, science, engineering or economics.

Professional Background

• Extensive practical knowledge and experience at a senior management level of clean energy, and other issues falling within the scope of the CEM’s activity, through work in a national administration or international organisation. Familiarity with clean energy policies, regulation, market design, as well as technology and emissions-related issues associated with energy production and use.
• The vision and analytical ability to anticipate major emerging issues in energy.
• Very good understanding of administrative and budgetary processes in major publicy-funded institutions. Capabilities and experience in fundraising from governments, foundations and/or industry would be an asset.
• Sensitivity to the political issues and sensibilities within and between countries and cultures, with an ability to identify areas of mutual interest between stakeholders. Proven track record in conducting relations at a senior level within a political decision-making multinational environment, including a demonstrated ability to engage at a senior level.
• Extensive experience in managing and motivating high performing, multidisciplinary and diverse teams and developing people and policy programmes, as demonstrated through progressive and increasingly high level management responsibilities and management training.

Languages

• An excellent written and oral command of English. Ability to draft and proofread in English.
• Knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

Core Competencies

• For this role, the following competencies would be particularly important: Achievement focus, Analytical thinking, Drafting skills, Diplomatic sensitivity, Flexible thinking, Attracting, managing and steering resources, Teamwork and Team leadership.
• Please refer to level 5 indicators of the OECD Core Competencies.

Contract Duration

• Fixed term appointment to align with the mandate of the CEM Secretariat, with the possibility of renewal. Initial contract duration will be confirmed at the time of offer, expected to be until end of June 2022.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly base salary starting from 11,725 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• Please note, the appointment may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of OECD and CEM member countries, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities.

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.