Lead Energy Specialist

Lead Energy Specialist

Description

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/ibrd

VPU Context: 

Home to about half a billion of Africa’s people, Eastern and Southern Africa is a geographically, culturally and economically diverse region of 26 countries stretching from the Red Sea in the North to the Cape of Good Hope in the South. Children under 18 make up almost half of the total population. The subregion boasts of some of the world’s richest human and natural resources and, apart from South Africa, the countries are predominantly raw material exporters. The World Bank is a dedicated partner for Eastern and Southern African countries, helping them deliver strong development outcomes for their people. A brighter future for Africa is a better future for the world. 

Unit Context: 

The Energy & Extractives (EEX) Global Practice (GP) of the WBG is made up of more than 300 professionals. The EEX GP focuses on providing affordable, reliable and sustainable energy to meet the needs of fast-growing economies and to ensure universal access to modern energy services for people in client countries; and strengthening policy and institutional frameworks to promote transparent and equitable growth of the extractive sectors for public benefit.  The Africa energy sector grouping consists of four Units across two regions of Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) as well as Western and Central Africa. The position is supporting the East Africa unit (IAEE1).

Duties and Accountabilities:  

The selected candidate will be a Lead Energy Specialist based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for a four-year assignment.
Lead and guide the overall energy sector policy dialogue in the Horn of Africa AECE3 countries and the Bank’s strategic focus therein, in coordination with the energy practice manager based in Nairobi.  The position will lead complex operations with special emphasis on Energy sector reforms, PPPs and Regional power trade. The Lead energy specialist will help PM and teams adapt program to rapidly changing country and regional context including FCV conditions, monitor portfolio performance, and ensure that lending operations and ASA activities are well coordinated and undertaken in a timely manner. The position will contribute to the goals of the Mission 300 National Energy Compact, Sustainable energy for all, diversification of energy mix, and improved performance of the sector institutions. Specific duties and responsibilities shall include: 

Energy Sector Engagement 

• Lead the country energy team’s operational engagement (policy dialogue, lending and supervision, ASA), specifically to identify and help resolve project-specific or systemic issues.

• Support the Practice Manager in shaping the Bank’s energy strategy, developing business, and policy dialogue.

• Lead business development to build a pipeline of innovative lending projects supported by quality analytical work; 

• Advise Governments on energy policy and strategy as well as broader reform dialogue, with particular focus on institutional and sector reform, Private sector engagement, Private Capital Mobilization and partnerships; 

• Advise colleagues and clients on global best practices in the energy sector and keep abreast of country sector issues as well as contribute to global energy knowledge by introducing success and lessons learned in the AFE energy sector that may have relevance to other clients.

• Drive collaboration with other GPs to explore synergies with our programs, with special emphasis on Macro Economics, Education, Health, Agriculture and FCI.

• Provide guidance and mentoring to junior TTLs.

Partnerships and Relationship Management 

• Support the PM to manage CMU and country client relationships, focusing on defining client commitment, integrity and capacity to ensure implementation of energy sector engagement and operations

• Coordinate the implementation of the Energy related priorities of the CMU and facilitate, engage in and shape high level policy dialogues on energy reforms, ensuring alignment with the broader economic reform program, while supporting business development.

• Connect technical expertise and knowledge across multiple practices to serve the client. 

• Work closely with IFC and MIGA when designing country engagements in their area of coverage to ensure that the role of both public and private sectors are adequately reflected. 

• Lead the coordination with development partners at the CMU and country level and contribute to the coordination and discussion at the regional level. The Lead Energy Specialist will also serve as the energy sector focal point for the WBG Joint Work Program with the African Union HQ in Addis Ababa. 

Selection Criteria

• PhD or Master’s degree level in a relevant field, with a minimum of 12 years of substantial energy experience in positions of growing complexity and responsibility. 

• Main experience desired in Energy sector and institutional reforms (especially of Public Utilities), developing and implementing programs in FCV Settings; Renewable Energy; Private sector finance and experience developing macro and fiscal reform programs with significant INF content and strong linkages with IMF country program. 

• Demonstrated ability in leading delivery and implementation of complex energy projects and in integrating multi-sectoral inputs into a package of energy solutions to achieve development results.

• In-depth knowledge of WBG financing operations, analytical and advisory services, and strong familiarity with WBG instruments.

• Proven experience designing and supporting IPF/DPF/ PforR, guarantee operations, and innovative energy ASAs which have impacted energy policy dialogues and energy reform paths.

• Demonstrated ability to lead discussions at the highest policy levels in the area of energy and related interlinkages. 

• Extensive experience working across practice and disciplinary boundaries as well as with multiple partners to build collaborative alliances for results.

• Demonstrated leadership in teamwork and inclusion and ensuring diverse talent and capability is mobilized across Global Practices. 

• Capacity to understand the political economy and local context, tailoring policy dialogue and operational response to meet client expectations.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience in dealing with disputes, the media, external constituencies and expert groups.

• Excellent verbal communication and writing skills in English.

Note: This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies 

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.