World Bank Energy Specialist Job Vacancy in Monrovia, Liberia

Background /
General 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
approximately 10 billion. New lending is over 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). 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 World
Bank is an active partner in the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) initiative
that aims to bring the world closer to that goal by increasing access to
electricity and clean household fuels and expanding the use of renewable energy
and energy efficiency. As part of the World Bank Group’s commitment to mobilize
its knowledge and policy expertise to increase the impact of its financing of
energy projects, the Africa energy sector grouping is in the process of
obtaining special Technical Assistance (TA) resources under ESMAP to support
selected African countries to develop and implement access and related energy
programs. The TA program will provide customized and focused technical
assistance that will enhance country policy and institutional frameworks and
lead to investment proposals for the achievement of the universal energy access
goal. Liberia is one of the focal countries for SE4All technical assistance
support.

AFTG2 seeks
an energy specialist to be based in Monrovia (Liberia) to coordinate
Sustainable Energy for All TA activities and support task managers to leverage
SE4All results into the Bank’s strategic, advisory, and operational work. The
selected candidate will be engaged under local employment conditions and will
report both to the Washington-based Sector Manager and the Monrovia- based
Country Manager. The contract will be for an initial duration of three years.

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 Energy
Specialist will be a core member of the AFTG2 team. The specific
responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Coordinate
the SE4All technical assistance in Liberia, including hands on technical
support to task teams;

As part of a team, support countries with the
necessary knowledge and capacity to develop national energy access plans
and strategies leading to an investment prospectus. This includes making
available experts to advise on stocktaking exercises, detailed mapping of
the energy demand, and policy and regulatory requirements and reforms in
order to foster a conducive environment for private sector involvement in
energy infrastructure investments and energy services delivery.
Actively participate in overseeing
implementation of World Bank supported energy country programs with the
aim to enhance quality and pro-poor focus and accelerate implementation.
As part of a team, to prepare, appraise, negotiate and supervise energy
projects.
Contribute to analytical and advisory work,
develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, support policy
dialogue and keep abreast of developments in the energy sector of the
respective countries of responsibilities.

Selection
Criteria:

Candidates
applying for the position would be judged on the following criteria:

A Masters’ level degree in Energy, Economics,
Engineering, or Finance, or equivalent.
At least 5 years work experience in the energy
sector.
Direct experience in at least one of the
following areas: power system planning, energy policy and regulation,
rural electrification, renewable energy, energy and climate change, and/or
utility reform.
Hands-on project management experience, an
ability to efficiently manage a large number of activities simultaneously,
a flair for problem-solving and an ability to self-navigate through
complex bureaucratic environments.
Interpersonal skills, including written and
oral communication skills;
Understanding of World Bank’s operational and
procurement procedures will be a distinct advantage.
Fluency in English (written and spoken)

Required
Competencies:

Integrative Skills – Working to develop an integrated
view across all facets of current sector.
Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena
– Understands policy making process; distills operationally relevant
recommendations/lessons for clients.
Policy Dialogue Skills – Identifies and
assesses policy issues and plays an active role in the dialogue with the
government and/or other stakeholders.
Energy Policy, Strategy and Institutions –
Familiarity with energy policies, strategies, institutions, and
regulations.
Energy Sector Technologies – Direct experience
with depth in at least one area: hydrocarbon, power generation,
transmission and distribution, renewables, energy efficiency, low carbon
strategies, etc.
Client Orientation – Takes personal
responsibility and accountability for timely response to client queries,
requests or needs, working to remove obstacles that may impede execution
or overall success.
Drive for Results – Takes personal ownership
and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results, and
has the personal organization to do so.
Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion –
Collaborates with other team members and contributes productively to the
team’s work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of
view.
Knowledge, Learning and Communication –
Actively seeks knowledge needed to complete assignments and shares
knowledge with others, communicating and presenting information in a clear
and organized manner.
Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making
– Analyzes facts and data to support sound, logical decisions regarding
own and others’ work.