Closing date: Wednesday, 3 May 2023
Senior Energy Specialist
Job #: req22239
Organization: World Bank
Sector: Energy
Grade: GG
Term Duration: 3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Dhaka,Bangladesh
Required Language(s): English, Bangla
Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 5/4/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and over 130 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org
The World Bank’s Infrastructure Vice Presidency (INF VPU) is keen to increase recruitment of highly qualified staff for careers in transport, energy, digital development, infrastructure finance and infrastructure economics. To this end, the INF VPU is committed to achieving diversity in race, gender, nationality, culture, and educational background.
The South Asia Region Context
The South Asia Region comprises eight countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) that range in size from India (with a population of over 1 billion) to Maldives (with 0.3 million people). The region has experienced a long period of robust economic growth, averaging 6% a year over the past 20 years. It was the second-fastest growing region in the world in the aftermath of the global crisis. This strong growth has translated into declining poverty and impressive improvements in human development. The percentage of people living below the poverty line fell in South Asia from 56% to 16% between 1981 and 2013. Still, the region remains home to a third of the world’s poorest, with 216 million people living below $1.9/day.
The South Asia Region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/sar
The Infrastructure Practice Group
The Infrastructure Practice Group is charged with developing sustainable solutions to help close infrastructure gaps in developing and emerging economies. It comprises Energy and Extractives (EEX), Transport, Digital Development, and Infrastructure Finance, Public Private Partnerships and Guarantees (IPG). The core values guiding our work include our passion for sustainable poverty reduction, our willingness to put the needs of the client at the center of all our activities, and our honesty and integrity as a common currency.
The Global Transport Practice is advancing the global dialogue on the future of transportation through influential programs such as the Sustainable Mobility for All initiative and the Global Road Safety Facility. The Practice hosts very active Global Solution Groups on the following cross-cutting topics: Urban Mobility; Transport Connectivity and Regional Integration; Transport Infrastructure Management and Finance; Transport Economics, Policy and Data; and Green, Inclusive and Safe Transport. To execute its work program, the Transport Global Practice has established important partnerships inside and outside the WBG, including with other international organizations, the private sector, and civil society.
UNIT CONTEXT
One out of four people in the planet live in South Asia. However only 1/20 of the world’s electric power capacity is installed in the region. The World Bank’s Energy and Extractives GP contributes to addressing this challenge through its strong lending and knowledge management program in the region. The South Asia region (SAR) energy unit manages a large and diverse portfolio of active projects in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The South Asia Energy Program has grown rapidly in the last few years with a portfolio of more than US$8 billion and expected annual lending of more than US$1 billion going forward.
The Energy Practice commitments in the region cover reforms (sector and corporate governance, energy security and the environment, regional energy trade, public-private partnerships, energy efficiency), and investment support in power generation, power and gas transmission and distribution, rural energy electrification, renewable energy development, and low-carbon and climate friendly and resilient initiatives. A particular area of growth has been investments in renewable power generation including hydropower, power systems and electricity transmission and distribution networks, and policy reforms in the power sector, with sizeable activities and a strong pipeline of projects in several countries.
The Bank’s Energy Program uses a variety of instruments, including investment lending, guarantees for public private partnerships, program for results and development policy lending. In addition, the team manages a strong knowledge agenda to inform the policy dialogue in the sector.
The South Asia Energy unit seeks a Senior Energy Specialist, based in Dhaka (Bangladesh), with significant experience in the energy sector to work on an active Bank policy dialogue with the various counterpart in the Bangladesh Government, Bangladesh’s power sector agencies and companies, and other stakeholders on the implementation of power sector investments and sector reforms. He/she will also lead lending operations, technical assistance/capacity building activities, and Advisory Service and Analytics (ASA) activities as well as other operational work in Bangladesh.
The selected candidate’s primary responsibilities will be, in addition to policy and reforms dialogue on the power sector, to prepare, appraise, negotiate and supervise energy sector projects in Bangladesh on energy transitions (e.g., renewable energy, energy efficiency, storage and grid technologies), and strengthening the power grid. Projects will include policy and investment lending, public-private partnership/guarantee approaches, technical assistance/capacity building, and advisory services.
The responsibilities of the selected candidate will include:
- Leading and/or actively participating in preparation of new operations and overseeing implementation of existing energy operations, which are expected to include renewable energy and its grid integration, demand and supply side energy efficiency and decarbonization, strengthening of the power grid, cutting-edge technologies such as smart grids and battery storage, and/or regional integration and trade.
- Actively participating in sector dialogue on energy transitions, power grid development, and power market, governance, institutional and other policy reforms in Bangladesh’s power sector with the client and other stakeholders/development partners.
- Designing and/or executing technical assistance and capacity building interventions to support client in improving the sustainability of electricity supply and strengthen institutional capacity towards energy transitions, market reforms, improved planning and execution, and providing reliable and affordable access to power.
- Leading or supporting teams as needed in technical, economic and financial analysis of projects, power utilities, and the wider sector.
- Contributing to knowledge management activities that will enhance the unit’s understanding, knowledge, and experience on energy sector economics, financials and governance.
- Providing inputs to operational products and outputs, including for sector and country briefings and ad hoc requests by management, analytical and advisory services reports, portfolio performance and monitoring reviews, and liaison with the Practice Manager, Program Lead, and Country Management Unit on energy issues.
Selection Criteria
1. Master’s degree in engineering, economics, business administration, finance or other energy related field; 2. At least 8 years of relevant experience with demonstrated track record in the management of energy sector projects and dialogues; 3. Direct experience with some or all of the following: renewable energy, energy efficiency, storage, hydrogen, power transmission & distribution, smart grids, power dispatch, power utilities, and technical, economic and/or financial analysis of projects, including those owned and operated by the private sector. 4. Direct experience with policy and regulatory issues, utility level analysis, and market and utility reforms, including public-private partnerships and climate change mitigation and resilience; 5. Demonstrated experience in preparing and implementing energy projects, including aspects related to financing, fiduciary (procurement and financial management) and safeguard (environment and social) management; 6. Track record of teamwork and ability to produce high-quality results and outputs with minimal supervision; 7. High level of energy, initiative and flexibility in quickly adjusting to changing work program requirements; 8. Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to build strong partnerships with clients and colleagues across units and departmental boundaries in a multi-cultural environment with virtual teams located in different locations; 9. Demonstrated track record of building and maintaining strong client relationships; 10. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to effectively dialogue with and relate to clients and stakeholders; 11. Proficiency in spoken and written English and Bangla is essential.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
1. 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. 2. Policy Dialogue Skills – Anticipates needs and requests in the field and conducts independent policy discussions with representatives of the government and non-government partners. 3. Integrative Skills – Understands relevant cross-sectoral areas how they are interrelated; able to undertake cross-sectoral work in lending and non-lending operations. 4. Energy Sector Technologies – Deep experience applying knowledge (e.g., hydrocarbon and/or hydrogen, power generation, power grids, renewables, energy efficiency, low carbon strategies, carbon capture and storage, energy storage etc.) to policy-related decisions and advice. 5. Energy Policy, Strategy and Institutions – Solid understanding of energy policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations. 6. General Economic Knowledge and Analytical Skills – Possesses Cross-country knowledge in economic specialty and demonstrates ability to link the macro, institutional, and micro-level behaviors; able to support findings/policy recommendations with credible analysis and tools. 7. Power System Technologies – Experience applying knowledge (e.g. renewable energy, energy efficiency, power generation, power grid; smart meter and smart gird; utility management, operations, maintenance, and services, etc.) to policy-related decisions and advice. 8. Lead and Innovate – Develops innovative solutions with others. 9. Deliver Results for Clients – Achieves results and identifies mission-driven solutions for the client. 10. Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries – Initiates collaboration across boundaries and broadly across WBG, and brings differing ideas into the forefront. 11. Create, Apply and Share Knowledge – Creates, applies and shares knowledge from across and outside WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions. 12. Make Smart Decisions – Recommends and takes decisive action.
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.
