Senior Nuclear Industry Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), which is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. Established to help countries solve their greatest development challenges, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and over 120 offices worldwide, the WBG collaborates with public and private sector partners to invest in groundbreaking projects, utilizing data, research, and technology to develop solutions to urgent global challenges. The IFC specifically focuses on the private sector in emerging markets, working in more than 100 countries and leveraging private sector solutions to create opportunities and markets in developing nations. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, aiming to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. The recent partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) marks a significant step for WBG to reengage with nuclear power, emphasizing the importance of safe, secure, and responsible use of nuclear energy in developing countries. The Global Energy (CEMEN) team within IFC is responsible for the energy business, including power generation, transmission, distribution, and innovative clean energy technologies, united by core values of Impact, Integrity, Respect, Teamwork, and Innovation.

Job Overview:
The Senior Nuclear Industry Specialist will play a crucial role in the Global Energy (CEMEN) team at IFC, serving as the liaison officer for the IAEA and leading IFC's nuclear sector strategy. This position involves overseeing knowledge creation and sharing, providing technology guidance, and fostering global client relationships and business development in the nuclear sector. The specialist will be responsible for managing the partnership with the IAEA, ensuring effective collaboration and support for the implementation of the partnership agreement. This includes organizing joint missions, events, and knowledge transfers, as well as building partnerships across different IAEA teams to enhance WBG's business development efforts in nuclear energy. The role also entails reviewing investment and advisory project proposals, assessing their feasibility and compliance with nuclear safety standards, and providing recommendations for project structuring to address technical and regulatory challenges. The specialist will engage in high-level regulatory and policy reviews, assess national nuclear regulatory frameworks, and develop policy recommendations to strengthen nuclear governance and investment readiness. Additionally, the role requires internal capacity building by developing technical knowledge resources on nuclear energy and preparing training materials for IFC staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Nuclear Industry Specialist include:

• Serving as the WBG’s liaison officer for the IAEA, acting as the primary contact for collaboration and support in implementing the partnership agreement.
• Programming and managing the annual calendar for functional/regional learning, joint country-level missions, events, secondments, and knowledge transfers.
• Building effective partnerships across different IAEA teams and leveraging networks to support WBG business development in nuclear energy.
• Conducting reviews of project proposals, including field appraisals, to assess feasibility, bankability, and compliance with nuclear safety and regulatory standards.
• Providing recommendations for project structuring to address technical and regulatory challenges, identifying key technical risks, safety considerations, and mitigation measures.
• Engaging in bespoke technical reviews and partner engagement, including reviewing WBG nuclear-related documents and developing new partnerships for knowledge creation and financing.
• Participating in dialogues on nuclear energy with other WBG entities and external agencies.
• Conducting high-level regulatory and policy reviews, assessing national nuclear regulatory frameworks, and identifying gaps relative to international best practices.
• Developing policy recommendations to enhance nuclear governance, safety oversight, and investment readiness. 1
• Building internal capacity by developing technical knowledge resources on nuclear energy and preparing training materials for IFC staff.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Senior Nuclear Industry Specialist position include:

• A Master's degree in engineering, physics, or a related field.
• At least 12 years of relevant experience with significant technical nuclear experience and project management expertise.
• A robust understanding of power sector strategies in developing countries.
• Familiarity with various financial products, including project finance, quasi-equity, and straight equity.
• Strong relationship-building skills with clients, government authorities, industry groups, and experts.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with sound business judgment to identify issues and propose creative solutions.
• Proven leadership capabilities and the ability to initiate and drive change.
• Capacity to manage conflicting priorities and deliver high-quality work on schedule, with the ability to work successfully in multicultural teams.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in engineering, physics, or a similar field. This advanced education is essential to ensure the candidate possesses the necessary technical knowledge and analytical skills to effectively engage with complex nuclear energy projects and regulatory frameworks.

Experience:
The position requires at least 12 years of relevant experience, which should include significant technical nuclear experience and project management expertise. This level of experience is crucial for understanding the intricacies of nuclear energy projects, regulatory compliance, and the ability to navigate the challenges faced in developing countries' power sectors.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and with international partners. Proficiency in additional languages is considered a plus, as it may facilitate better communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in various countries.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role with a term duration of 3 years. It involves international recruitment, indicating that candidates from various countries are encouraged to apply. The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan, medical, life and disability insurance, and paid leave, including parental leave. The organization is committed to being an equal opportunity and inclusive employer, ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and without discrimination based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.