World Bank Recruits Senior Energy Specialist

World Bank Nigeria - The Africa Region Energy Unit of the World Bank intends to recruit a Senior Energy Specialist to be based in Abuja, Nigeria to support the in-country activities of the World Bank. The focus of the candidate will be in the area of power and gas sector reform, utility investment programming, rural electrification, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Senior Energy Specialist

Job ID: 131443
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Job Family: Energy and Mining

Job Description

• The Africa Region is committed to working with Africans and development partners to achieve fast progress toward growth and poverty alleviation. Improved performance of the energy sector and access to modern energy/electrification are central to accomplishment of these objectives.
• The Africa Energy Program is growing rapidly, covering reforms (sector and corporate governance, energy security and the environment, regional energy trade, public-private partnerships, energy efficiency, etc.) and investment support in power generation, power and gas transmission and distribution, rural energy services, renewable energy development, low-carbon and climate friendly initiatives. The current portfolio comprises over 50 projects with a value of over US$10 billion. New lending is approximately US$1 billion per annum, with a growing share of renewable energy and regional activities.
• The Africa energy sector grouping consists of two Units (AFTG1 for East and Southern Africa and AFTG2 for West and Central Africa). Each of the two units is managed by a Sector Manager. Each SM also is responsible for two cross-cutting themes: (AFTG1 for PPPs and Energy Sector Reforms, and renewable energy, and AFTG2 for Hydropower, and Energy Access. Leadership for themes ensures a consolidated approach to the issue at hand in the region. The two units together have over 60 staff with over 20 in various field locations, and more than half of the operational and advisory activities are managed /led by field-based staff. AFTG1/2 cooperates with bilateral and multilateral partners in its business and AAA activities.
• The Nigeria energy program of the World Bank is an exciting mix of financing, guarantees, policy dialogue, and analytical work. The World Bank is a trusted advisor of the Federal Government of Nigeria on the ongoing sector reform agenda, which includes an overhaul of the institutions responsible for generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. By involving the private sector in the electricity sector, the FNG is crowding in private capital and expertise. The World Bank also works on access issues in rural areas and regional projects in the framework of the West Africa Power Pool.
• The Unit seeks a seasoned Senior Energy Specialist to lead its strategic, advisory, and operational work primarily in West Africa. The Senior Energy Specialist will be based in Abuja, Nigeria.
• Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a three year renewable term appointment.
• Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year term appointment.

Duties and Accountabilities

• The selected candidate will be responsible, to prepare, appraise, negotiate and supervise complex energy projects in selected countries in Africa, with a focus on Nigeria. These include public-private partnership projects for generation, transmission, and distribution as well as electricity access projects. S/he will actively participate in overseeing implementation of energy operations with the aim to enhance quality and accelerate implementation.
• The Senior Energy Specialist should lead an active Bank policy dialogue with clients and other stakeholders on strategic energy issues. This includes a high powered sector dialogue on the implementation of Nigeria's ongoing reforms in the electric power sector. The Senior Energy Specialist will also maintain sufficient knowledge of individual operations and activities (including those not managed by him/her) to be able to identify and help resolve project-specific or systemic issues.
• The candidate will be required to lead and contribute to analytical and advisory work. This includes supporting the development of national and regional analytical activities and advising the Western African Power Pool. In doing this, the senior energy specialist will be expected to forge partnerships with organizations and individuals which can both better inform the Bank's energy strategies, and also result in higher quality implementation and impact of Bank-supported programs. This will require effective communication and outreach to key stakeholders, client governments, academia, civil society organizations, media, other development partners and other Bank units.
• The senior energy specialist will be expected to lead teams and to provide guidance and mentoring to junior staff on operational, policy dialogue and analytical activities.

Selection Criteria
Qualifications for consideration:

• Master's degree in engineering, economics, finance or other energy related field;
• At least 8 years of combined experience in the World Bank, other international institutions/companies and/or government in energy with demonstrated track record in the management of public private partnership projects;
• Solid track record and experience in leading/anchoring a power sector dialogue and preparation/supervision of corporate risk energy projects is considered a distinct advantage;
• Experience and/or substantive exposure with regulatory reforms and public-private partnerships, including and co-financing with commercial financing agencies, IFC and/or MIGA;
• a track record of team work and ability to produce high-quality results and outputs with minimal supervision;
• A track record of good external client relations skills at all levels of seniority;
• High level of energy, initiative and flexibility in quickly adjusting to changing work program requirements;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, in particular ability to effectively dialogue with and relate to clients and stakeholders; and,
• Proficiency in English is essential.

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 (hydrocarbon, power generation, transmission and distribution, renewables, energy efficiency,low carbon strategies, etc.) to policy-related decisions and advice.
• Energy Policy, Strategy and Institutions - Solid understanding of energy policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations.
• Client Orientation - Maintains client relationships in the face of conflicting demands or directions and provides evidence-based advice and solutions based on sound diagnosis and knowledge.
• Drive for Results - Identifies the needed resources to accomplish results involving multiple stakeholders and finds solutions to obstacles affecting key deliverables.
• Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - Shows leadership in ensuring the team stays organized and focused, and actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches.
• Knowledge, Learning and Communication - Leads in the sharing of best practice, trends, knowledge and lessons learned across units and with clients and partners, articulating ideas verbally and in writing in a clear and compelling way across audiences of varied levels.
• Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Gathers inputs, assesses risk, considers impact and articulates benefits of decisions for internal and external stakeholders over the long term.

Application Closing Date
17th July, 2013

How To Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online