Energy Specialist
World Bank Group
Energy Specialist
Job #:
req32431
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Energy
Grade:
GF
Term Duration:
4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
French
Closing Date:
4/3/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank consists of two entities - the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). It is a global development cooperative owned by 189 member countries. As the largest development bank in the world, the World Bank provides loans, guarantees, risk management products, and advisory services to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries, and coordinates responses to regional and global challenges. For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org.
Infrastructure Vice Presidency
Globally, one billion people live more than 2 kilometers from all-weather roads, 685 million people lack electricity, and nearly 4 billion people lack internet access. Access to basic infrastructure services is critical for creating economic opportunities for the poor. The Infrastructure (INF) Vice Presidency within the World Bank is charged with developing sustainable solutions to help close infrastructure gaps in developing and emerging economies. It currently consists of four global departments: Energy & Extractives (EEX); Transport (TRA); Urban, Resilience and Land (URL), and Global Infrastructure Finance Department. It oversees the Bank's work across energy and transport sectors, urban development, as well as efforts to promote energy transition, low-carbon transportation, livable cities, disaster risk resilience, land management, and quality infrastructure services through public-private partnerships. Infrastructure represents around $110 billion of the Bank's portfolio. For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/infrastructure
The Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) is a global knowledge and technical assistance program administered by the World Bank and supported by more than 20 partners. Its mission is to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services by 2030, accelerating transition toward a sustainable, just and decarbonized energy system, and ensuring resilience of the energy sector to adapt to the impacts of climate change and other shocks. Since its inception in 1983, ESMAP has supported more than 800 energy sector activities that promote poverty reduction, economic growth and low carbon development in over 100 countries.
ESMAP's Foundations and Access pillars support the vast majority of World Bank lending operations in the energy access space. Namely, ESMAP supports comprehensive electrification approaches, driven by national electrification strategies and least-cost plans, integrating grid, mini grid and off-grid technologies (and building synergies with clean cooking where possible), while also increasingly providing support for electrification of public institutions, fostering productive uses and integrating approaches to reach the poor and vulnerable, including displaced people and host communities (where relevant), while enhancing gender equality goals.
ESMAP's FY26-30 Business Plan Business Plan covers three main areas of focus, namely energy access, as realized through electricity and clean cooking; energy transition; and foundations for decarbonized energy systems. The high-level objective of the Foundations for Decarbonized Energy Systems ("Foundations") focus area is to deliver stronger and more sustainable
outcomes on energy access and energy transition targets, as well as the needed financial flows to realize these targets by strengthening energy sector fundamentals in terms of infrastructure, institutions, data, and people. To achieve its objectives, ESMAP support under the Foundations focus area focuses on four interrelated themes: modernized energy systems, effective institutions, data-driven decision-making, and improved equity and benefits, as part of integrated engagements tailored to the specific needs and context of World Bank client
countries.
As part of its activities related to the "effective institutions and policies" theme, ESMAP supports developing country governments in creating the policy, regulatory and market frameworks that are aligned with their energy transition and access objectives. A key topic under this theme is that of getting energy prices right and reforming inefficient energy subsidies, while protecting the poor. During the FY26-30 Business Plan, ESMAP will ramp up technical support on energy pricing and subsidy reforms, which are critical not only for enabling the financial sustainability of energy sector, but also, facilitating the clean energy transition and scale-up of access to modern energy services. In this context, ESMAP, through its Energy Subsidy Reform Facility (ESRF) will continue to provide technical assistance grants and advisory support to developing country governments, working with multisectoral World Bank operational teams. In addition, ESRF has an active program of global knowledge focusing on consolidating international experience, good practices, and emerging research and evidence on energy subsidy reforms.
These Terms of Reference are for an Energy Specialist (GF) to join the ESRF and Foundations of Energy Transition teams in the IEES2 unit.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
The Energy Specialist will be expected to work as a core member of the ESRF and the broader Foundations teams in key knowledge, operational and program coordination tasks. The main tasks for the Energy Specialist are listed below.
1) ESRF: Technical assistance portfolio management and global knowledge work
Working closely with the ESRF team leader, the Energy Specialist will be expected to contribute to the management of the facility's technical assistance grant portfolio, global knowledge work program, and its internal and external engagement efforts.
In support of program and portfolio management
• Monitor the TA grant portfolio, recording progress, resource usage and liaising with regional task teams as needed.
• Support the team leader in the development of grants pipeline, working with regional task teams in developing grant funding proposals that reflect demand from government counterparts, verifying eligibility for ESMAP funding, operational relevance and proposal quality.
• Serve as the primary focal point for the facility's annual progress reporting exercise, including tracking annual progress reporting status across the portfolio, first round reviews of draft grant progress reports and activity completion reports, liaising with teams to support them in completion reporting requirement, and contributing to the drafting of ESRF's progress report.
• In support of the program results monitoring efforts, manage the tracking of ESRF results indicator, being responsible for developing calculation methodology and approach for each indicator, and update indicator progress results bi-annually.
• Working with the program administrative staff, monitor budget allocation and spending.
In support of global knowledge work
• Provide research, analysis and writing input to ESRF global knowledge program, focusing on global experience with subsidy reform, macro-fiscal aspects.
• Contribute to several analytical and knowledge outputs being prepared by the ESRF team, including a review of energy subsidy reform actions in development policy lending, review of treatment of energy subsidies in Public Expenditure Reviews, and a paper on the interaction of fuel subsidies with transport sector policies.
• Support the ESRF team lead in monitoring delivery of technical reports, contributing to World Bank internal quality reviews
• Contribute to the dissemination of technical work by ESRF and a stocktaking study completed in 2024, and its technical background reports.
• Keep track of emerging knowledge in the field of energy subsidy reform, to enable the ESRF
team's continued awareness of latest knowledge and debate in the field.
In support of internal and external engagement
• Contribute to ESRF engagement with an active, multi-sectoral World Bank internal community of practice, liaising with team leaders, facilitating connections across teams, contributing to the delivery of ESRF newsletter and internal event organization, working closely with ESRF core team.
• Work with ESMAP communications team to build partnerships with relevant external parties active in the subsidy reform space and identify opportunities for dissemination of ESRF knowledge products.
• Contribute to the drafting and messaging of key outreach pieces, such as country briefs, facility key messages.
2)Support for the Foundations of Decarbonized Energy Systems Focus Area
• Contribute to the monitoring of the foundations technical assistance grant portfolio and reporting of results indicators for ESMAP program management.
• Support the delivery of the broader knowledge program as a core team member of the Programmatic ASA, contribute to the preparation and delivery of key technical outputs, including but not limited to, work on the utilities and digital programs.
3)Provide cross-support to World Bank regional operational teams
• Based on demand from the regional Energy and Extractives (EEX) teams, the Energy Specialist shall provide cross-support to regional teams with lending and analytical engagements on energy sector financial sustainability and reforms.
• Support regional teams on the application of the Energy Subsidy Reform Assessment Framework (ESRAF) in specific country engagements.
• Contribute to the high-level coordination and delivery of the Mission 300 (M300) program for scaling up access to modern energy in Africa and support the development of National Energy Compacts, focusing on the sector financial sustainability aspects, and linking it with the energy pricing agenda.
Selection Criteria
• Master's degree in economics, international development, public policy or related fields.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional work experience, focusing on energy sector policy, regulation, pricing, fiscal policy, taxation, and macroeconomic management.
• Proven understanding of issues around energy subsidies, fossil fuels, price support mechanisms, fiscal support, direct and indirect transfers and other support mechanisms.
• Knowledge of approaches to quantify energy subsidies, as well as understanding of climate finance concepts, in particular, carbon pricing and taxation.
• Understanding of the World Bank Group operational policies and procedures, portfolio management, trust fund management, and familiarity with ESMAP.
• Solid understanding of World Bank trust fund policies, procedures and administrative systems.
• Experience working in developing country contexts is required.
• Data collection and management proficiency using WB information systems and analytical tools.
• Experience with results frameworks and monitoring and evaluation of projects/programs.
• Proven capacity to work simultaneously and effectively on a variety of tasks, independently adjusting priorities and achieving agreed results.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex issues in a straightforward manner; and to produce reports or studies.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills, along with demonstrated ability to work in teams and lead small teams to achieve results and foster cooperation across organizational boundaries.
• Ability to apply a practical approach to problem solving, interpret background analysis, produce high quality work outputs.
• Demonstrated ability to work across organizational boundaries and to function effectively both as a member of a team and individually as required.
• Should be a self-starter, with a demonstrated high level of initiative.
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.
Job #:
req32431
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Energy
Grade:
GF
Term Duration:
4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
French
Closing Date:
4/3/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank consists of two entities - the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). It is a global development cooperative owned by 189 member countries. As the largest development bank in the world, the World Bank provides loans, guarantees, risk management products, and advisory services to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries, and coordinates responses to regional and global challenges. For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org.
Infrastructure Vice Presidency
Globally, one billion people live more than 2 kilometers from all-weather roads, 685 million people lack electricity, and nearly 4 billion people lack internet access. Access to basic infrastructure services is critical for creating economic opportunities for the poor. The Infrastructure (INF) Vice Presidency within the World Bank is charged with developing sustainable solutions to help close infrastructure gaps in developing and emerging economies. It currently consists of four global departments: Energy & Extractives (EEX); Transport (TRA); Urban, Resilience and Land (URL), and Global Infrastructure Finance Department. It oversees the Bank's work across energy and transport sectors, urban development, as well as efforts to promote energy transition, low-carbon transportation, livable cities, disaster risk resilience, land management, and quality infrastructure services through public-private partnerships. Infrastructure represents around $110 billion of the Bank's portfolio. For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/infrastructure
The Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) is a global knowledge and technical assistance program administered by the World Bank and supported by more than 20 partners. Its mission is to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services by 2030, accelerating transition toward a sustainable, just and decarbonized energy system, and ensuring resilience of the energy sector to adapt to the impacts of climate change and other shocks. Since its inception in 1983, ESMAP has supported more than 800 energy sector activities that promote poverty reduction, economic growth and low carbon development in over 100 countries.
ESMAP's Foundations and Access pillars support the vast majority of World Bank lending operations in the energy access space. Namely, ESMAP supports comprehensive electrification approaches, driven by national electrification strategies and least-cost plans, integrating grid, mini grid and off-grid technologies (and building synergies with clean cooking where possible), while also increasingly providing support for electrification of public institutions, fostering productive uses and integrating approaches to reach the poor and vulnerable, including displaced people and host communities (where relevant), while enhancing gender equality goals.
ESMAP's FY26-30 Business Plan Business Plan covers three main areas of focus, namely energy access, as realized through electricity and clean cooking; energy transition; and foundations for decarbonized energy systems. The high-level objective of the Foundations for Decarbonized Energy Systems ("Foundations") focus area is to deliver stronger and more sustainable
outcomes on energy access and energy transition targets, as well as the needed financial flows to realize these targets by strengthening energy sector fundamentals in terms of infrastructure, institutions, data, and people. To achieve its objectives, ESMAP support under the Foundations focus area focuses on four interrelated themes: modernized energy systems, effective institutions, data-driven decision-making, and improved equity and benefits, as part of integrated engagements tailored to the specific needs and context of World Bank client
countries.
As part of its activities related to the "effective institutions and policies" theme, ESMAP supports developing country governments in creating the policy, regulatory and market frameworks that are aligned with their energy transition and access objectives. A key topic under this theme is that of getting energy prices right and reforming inefficient energy subsidies, while protecting the poor. During the FY26-30 Business Plan, ESMAP will ramp up technical support on energy pricing and subsidy reforms, which are critical not only for enabling the financial sustainability of energy sector, but also, facilitating the clean energy transition and scale-up of access to modern energy services. In this context, ESMAP, through its Energy Subsidy Reform Facility (ESRF) will continue to provide technical assistance grants and advisory support to developing country governments, working with multisectoral World Bank operational teams. In addition, ESRF has an active program of global knowledge focusing on consolidating international experience, good practices, and emerging research and evidence on energy subsidy reforms.
These Terms of Reference are for an Energy Specialist (GF) to join the ESRF and Foundations of Energy Transition teams in the IEES2 unit.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
The Energy Specialist will be expected to work as a core member of the ESRF and the broader Foundations teams in key knowledge, operational and program coordination tasks. The main tasks for the Energy Specialist are listed below.
1) ESRF: Technical assistance portfolio management and global knowledge work
Working closely with the ESRF team leader, the Energy Specialist will be expected to contribute to the management of the facility's technical assistance grant portfolio, global knowledge work program, and its internal and external engagement efforts.
In support of program and portfolio management
• Monitor the TA grant portfolio, recording progress, resource usage and liaising with regional task teams as needed.
• Support the team leader in the development of grants pipeline, working with regional task teams in developing grant funding proposals that reflect demand from government counterparts, verifying eligibility for ESMAP funding, operational relevance and proposal quality.
• Serve as the primary focal point for the facility's annual progress reporting exercise, including tracking annual progress reporting status across the portfolio, first round reviews of draft grant progress reports and activity completion reports, liaising with teams to support them in completion reporting requirement, and contributing to the drafting of ESRF's progress report.
• In support of the program results monitoring efforts, manage the tracking of ESRF results indicator, being responsible for developing calculation methodology and approach for each indicator, and update indicator progress results bi-annually.
• Working with the program administrative staff, monitor budget allocation and spending.
In support of global knowledge work
• Provide research, analysis and writing input to ESRF global knowledge program, focusing on global experience with subsidy reform, macro-fiscal aspects.
• Contribute to several analytical and knowledge outputs being prepared by the ESRF team, including a review of energy subsidy reform actions in development policy lending, review of treatment of energy subsidies in Public Expenditure Reviews, and a paper on the interaction of fuel subsidies with transport sector policies.
• Support the ESRF team lead in monitoring delivery of technical reports, contributing to World Bank internal quality reviews
• Contribute to the dissemination of technical work by ESRF and a stocktaking study completed in 2024, and its technical background reports.
• Keep track of emerging knowledge in the field of energy subsidy reform, to enable the ESRF
team's continued awareness of latest knowledge and debate in the field.
In support of internal and external engagement
• Contribute to ESRF engagement with an active, multi-sectoral World Bank internal community of practice, liaising with team leaders, facilitating connections across teams, contributing to the delivery of ESRF newsletter and internal event organization, working closely with ESRF core team.
• Work with ESMAP communications team to build partnerships with relevant external parties active in the subsidy reform space and identify opportunities for dissemination of ESRF knowledge products.
• Contribute to the drafting and messaging of key outreach pieces, such as country briefs, facility key messages.
2)Support for the Foundations of Decarbonized Energy Systems Focus Area
• Contribute to the monitoring of the foundations technical assistance grant portfolio and reporting of results indicators for ESMAP program management.
• Support the delivery of the broader knowledge program as a core team member of the Programmatic ASA, contribute to the preparation and delivery of key technical outputs, including but not limited to, work on the utilities and digital programs.
3)Provide cross-support to World Bank regional operational teams
• Based on demand from the regional Energy and Extractives (EEX) teams, the Energy Specialist shall provide cross-support to regional teams with lending and analytical engagements on energy sector financial sustainability and reforms.
• Support regional teams on the application of the Energy Subsidy Reform Assessment Framework (ESRAF) in specific country engagements.
• Contribute to the high-level coordination and delivery of the Mission 300 (M300) program for scaling up access to modern energy in Africa and support the development of National Energy Compacts, focusing on the sector financial sustainability aspects, and linking it with the energy pricing agenda.
Selection Criteria
• Master's degree in economics, international development, public policy or related fields.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional work experience, focusing on energy sector policy, regulation, pricing, fiscal policy, taxation, and macroeconomic management.
• Proven understanding of issues around energy subsidies, fossil fuels, price support mechanisms, fiscal support, direct and indirect transfers and other support mechanisms.
• Knowledge of approaches to quantify energy subsidies, as well as understanding of climate finance concepts, in particular, carbon pricing and taxation.
• Understanding of the World Bank Group operational policies and procedures, portfolio management, trust fund management, and familiarity with ESMAP.
• Solid understanding of World Bank trust fund policies, procedures and administrative systems.
• Experience working in developing country contexts is required.
• Data collection and management proficiency using WB information systems and analytical tools.
• Experience with results frameworks and monitoring and evaluation of projects/programs.
• Proven capacity to work simultaneously and effectively on a variety of tasks, independently adjusting priorities and achieving agreed results.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex issues in a straightforward manner; and to produce reports or studies.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills, along with demonstrated ability to work in teams and lead small teams to achieve results and foster cooperation across organizational boundaries.
• Ability to apply a practical approach to problem solving, interpret background analysis, produce high quality work outputs.
• Demonstrated ability to work across organizational boundaries and to function effectively both as a member of a team and individually as required.
• Should be a self-starter, with a demonstrated high level of initiative.
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.
JOB SUMMARY
Energy Specialist
World Bank Group
Washington
5 days ago
N/A
Full-time
Energy Specialist