Energy Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank is a prominent global institution established to provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries. Its mission is to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity by providing funding and knowledge to help clients address their development challenges. The organization operates in 189 member countries and has over 120 offices worldwide, making it one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for development. The World Bank focuses on various sectors, including infrastructure, health, education, and energy, and works closely with public and private sector partners to invest in innovative projects that address urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

Job Overview:
The Energy Specialist position is a critical role within the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Region, specifically in the EAP Regional Infrastructure Department (IEADR). This position is part of the Japanese recruitment mission and offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the World Bank's efforts in addressing energy sector challenges in the region. The Energy Specialist will work closely with task team leaders and be involved in business development, lending operations, advisory services, and policy dialogue. The role requires strong technical skills in regional power trade and familiarity with World Bank operational procedures to support business development and lending engagements in countries like Vietnam and Cambodia. The specialist will also focus on expanding access to clean and modern energy services, facilitating energy transition, and supporting cross-border power trade initiatives, particularly through the ASEAN Power Grid Financing Initiative.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Energy Specialist will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Regional Power Trade: Act as a core team member to support the implementation of the ASEAN Power Grid Financing Initiative (APGF), collaborating with task team leaders on business development, project preparation, and knowledge agenda.
• Business Development: Identify and advance opportunities to expand cross-border power trade, support client engagement, and contribute to positioning regional power trade as a key lending agenda.
• Operations: Provide technical and operational support across lending operations, advisory services, and analytics, including inputs on regulatory, institutional, and commercial structuring aspects of private-led cross-border electricity projects.
• Donor Relations: Assist the EAP team lead in coordinating the Bank’s participation and relations with non-government stakeholders under APGF, facilitating engagement with stakeholders to align interests and build consensus.
• Country Program Support: Offer operational, technical, and administrative support for the Lao PDR energy program, ensuring compliance and timely delivery across various engagements.
• Ad Hoc Tasks: Carry out additional tasks as requested by the Practice Manager, including preparing briefings and supporting cross-unit collaboration.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Energy Specialist position should possess a strong background in energy sector challenges and solutions, particularly in the context of regional power trade. Required qualifications include:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field such as energy, engineering, economics, or public policy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex energy issues and develop innovative solutions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment.
• Familiarity with World Bank operational procedures and policies, particularly in relation to energy projects.
• Proven ability to engage with stakeholders and build consensus around shared priorities.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have an advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in a relevant field such as energy, engineering, economics, or public policy. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of energy systems and the socio-economic factors influencing energy access and sustainability.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience in the energy sector, particularly in areas related to regional power trade and project implementation. Candidates should have at least 5-7 years of relevant professional experience, ideally within international development organizations, government agencies, or private sector firms focused on energy. Experience in working with cross-border electricity projects and familiarity with the operational procedures of multilateral development banks (MDBs) is highly desirable.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication within the World Bank. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the EAP region, such as Vietnamese or Khmer, would be considered an asset and beneficial for stakeholder engagement.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role and may involve travel within the EAP region. The World Bank offers competitive compensation and benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of their background.