Job Details

Energy Specialist

 Description

Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

Western and Central Africa (AFW) Region

We need the best and brightest talent focused on Sub-Saharan African countries in order to harness the potential and innovation happening across the continent. Africa is a continent on the move, with a young population and a growing market of nearly 1.2 billion people. We are committed to making the Africa regional teams into leading innovation hubs.

Yet, these vast opportunities are tempered by persistent gaps in education, health, and skills, which have Africa only reaching forty percent of its estimated potential. Moreover, conflict, food insecurity, population growth, and the disruptive forces of climate change threaten to curtail or even reverse the progress that has been made over the past decades.

In West and Central Africa, the World Bank is a leading partner with a growing portfolio of 350 projects totaling more than $38 billion in areas such as energy, transport, agriculture, trade, education, health, water and sanitation- all to support job creation, gender equality, poverty reduction, and better lives. Across the continent, the World Bank’s program has nearly doubled over the last 10 years. By 2030, about 87% of the world’s extreme poor are projected to live in Sub-Saharan Africa, so this is where our mission to end extreme poverty and to promote shared prosperity will be achieved.

Are you ready to make an impact? We are looking for dedicated professionals to join our innovative and diverse team to improve people’s lives and help countries build back better after COVID. 

Western and Central Africa (AFW) Region:

https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/western-and-central-africa

UNIT CONTEXT

The Energy & Extractives Global Practice of the World Bank Group is made up of more than 300 professionals, a lending program in the order of US$5-7 billion a year, an active portfolio of some $40 billion, and a rich program of Advisory and Analytical Work. 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.   There is a strong emphasis on private sector resource mobilization and catalyzing financing from commercial and other sources of development and climate finance.

The Africa energy sector grouping consists of four Units across two regions of East and Southern Africa and newly created VPU of West and Central Africa. The position is based at Accra, Ghana to support the West and Central East Africa unit (IAWE4). The Bank is engaged in all aspects of the electricity sector – generation, transmission, distribution, rural and off-grid electrification – through development policy financing, program for results, investment financing support, technical assistance and guarantee operations. Assisting the government with policy reforms to attract investments in generation and renewable energy along with the promotion of the regional energy trade, undertaking sector reforms on tariffs and regulations, analytical work on energy subsidies, modernizing the electricity network for the needs of a modern economy and increasing energy access are among the key areas of the Bank’s deepening engagement in the sector.

The World Bank access focused portfolio in Africa includes support to countries to achieve SDG7 and Develop policy, strategy, and implementation modalities to accelerate access expansion and develop new and improved financing and implementation methods building on the Africa Region Energy LEAP program. 

DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

IAWE4 seeks an Energy Specialist based in Accra, Ghana to provide analytical support to the Africa Energy unit’s work in sector financial sustainability, energy access, utility reforms, renewable energy integration, financial solutions including guarantees, and the energy sector recovery under a Program for Results financing.

The responsibilities of the selected candidate will include:

• Lead analytical work including financial modeling and projections to support the Ghana’s Energy Sector Recovery Program that aims to return the sector to financial viability over a set duration. 
• Support the implementation of the IDA financed Ghana Energy Sector Recovery Program that aims to improve the financial viability of the electricity distribution sector in Ghana and to increase access to clean cooking solutions. In support of these objectives, the operation will finance the procurement of pre-paid meters, and upgrades to the main national distribution utility’s customer and meter management systems, in addition to supporting the Government’s national LPG promotion program through investments.  
• Support task team leaders on coordination of stakeholders in the energy sector, including development partners, government institutions, and civil society for better implementation of the Government’s energy sector recovery program.
• Support the preparation and delivery of solar auctions aimed at diversifying the generation mix, and promoting energy security by using clean energy generation resources.  
• Support energy team members on sector dialogue on sector reform, investments in generation, transmission and distribution and private sector participation in solar projects development, and electricity distribution.
• Coordinate with other GPs, IFC, MIGA and other partners on the energy program.

This requisition is open to WBG staff as well as External candidates. 

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree in engineering/planning/economics/finance or equivalent areas relevant for energy sector development;
• At least 5 years of combined experience in the World Bank, or other international institutions and/or companies, government agencies, and/or power sector utilities with demonstrated track record of successful analytical engagement in complex activities;
• Demonstrates solid understanding of the financial modeling of sector entities along with the measures needed to improve the sector’s financial performance;
• Supported institutional building and sector reforms to improve sector governance and transparency;
• An excellent track record in carrying out high quality and timely analytical reports and activities;
• Undertook key analytical roles in supporting policy dialogue with clients and stakeholders;
• Demonstrates active listening skills and the ability to influence the audience (including counterparts in government, international partner organizations, and colleagues, senior staff and managers). 
• Highly motivated, ability to work independently, taking initiative, and flexibility in quickly adjusting to changing work program requirements;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to build strong partnerships with clients, different stakeholders and colleagues across units and departmental boundaries in a multi-cultural environment with virtual teams located in different countries;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including an ability to communicate complex issues in simple terms and to engage in evidence-based dialogue with clients;
• Demonstrates strong knowledge of at least one of the relevant thematic business lines such as Financial Analysis; Energy Access; Economics, Markets & Institution; Energy Finance; Hydropower; or Power Systems & Technologies; 

COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena - Translates technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies; interacts with clients at the policy level;
• Policy Dialogue Skills - Anticipates needs and requests in the field and conducts independent policy discussions with representatives of the government and non-government partners;
• Integrative Skills - Understands relevant cross-sectoral areas how they are interrelated; able to undertake cross-sectoral work in lending and non-lending operations;
• Energy Sector Technologies - Deep experience applying knowledge (financial analysis. Energy access, power generation, transmission and distribution, renewables, and energy efficiency) to policy-related decisions and advice;
• Lead and Innovate – Develops innovative solutions with others.
• Deliver Results for Clients – Achieves results and identifies mission-driven solutions for clients;
• Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries – Initiates collaboration across boundaries and broadly across WBG, and brings differing ideas into the forefront;
• Create, Apply and Share Knowledge  – Creates, applies and shares knowledge from across and outside the WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions; and 
• Make Smart Decisions  – Recommends and takes decisive action.. 

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in race, gender, nationality, culture, and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.  Women and SSA/CR candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.  Candidates with open term appointments will retain their employment status if selected for this position. All others will be offered a 4 year term appointment. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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.