Lead Energy Specialist

Job #: req37740
Organization: World Bank
Sector: Energy
Grade: GH
Term Duration:  5 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: International Recruitment
Location: New Delhi,India
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 8/4/2026 (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 more than 120 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
BACKGROUND
South Asia Energy Practice Overview
The South Asia Region (SAR) Energy Practice (ISAE1) is part of SAR Infrastructure Group, which also includes the SAR Transport unit and is managed by the Infrastructure Regional Director. One out of four people on the planet live in South Asia, however only one out of 20 units of the world’s power capacity is installed in the region. South Asia has been enjoying rapid economic growth, which is expected to continue strongly after the covid-19 crisis; it is expected to maintain a strongly growing energy demand across countries.  While electrification has expanded significantly in the last decade, the power sector continues to have reliability and quality issues, operational inefficiencies, very considerable investment needs, and often challenging financial deficits that impact national budgets. The recent health crisis has affected revenues in the sector and slowed down the rate of infrastructure investments.
The South Asia Infrastructure program supports countries in building sustainable, resilient, and inclusive infrastructure systems, while adopting an integrated, cross-sectoral approach to supporting economic growth, job creation, connectivity, resilience, and service delivery across the region. Reflecting the World Bank Group's focus on Private Capital Mobilization (PCM), infrastructure engagements are increasingly developed and implemented in close collaboration with IFC and MIGA, combining public and private sector solutions to maximize development impact.
The SAR energy unit contributes to addressing the above challenges with a strong lending and knowledge management work program and a team of about 38 professional staff. The South Asia Energy Program has grown rapidly in the last few years, and has a portfolio of more than US$4 billion, with an annual average lending that usually exceeds US$1 billion.
Energy commitments in the region cover reforms (sector and corporate governance, energy security and the environment, utility performance, regional energy exchanges, 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 initiatives. The region is at the forefront of introducing new technologies in energy infrastructure, storage, grids, regional power trade, as well as metals and minerals. 
Duties and Accountabilities
The SAR Energy Unit of the World Bank seeks a Lead Energy Specialist to support the design and implementation of on-going and future energy and mining sector operations and analytical tasks in the region, with a particular focus on facilitating private sector participation. This position reports to the SAR Energy Practice Manager and the selected candidate will work in coordination with other task team leaders.
The responsibilities of the selected candidate will include:
The selected candidate will have the following key responsibilities:
• Remain up to date with relevant developments globally, and in particular, within the South Asia Region with respect to energy and mining sectors.

• Participate in the dialogue with relevant representatives of the private sector to keep abreast of the issues related to the business investment climate and identify possible areas of collaboration through public-private-partnerships.

• Contribute to policy dialogue on energy issues and interactions with the client and partners, and alert management to issues requiring attention.

• As part of a team, lead/co-lead preparation, appraisal, negotiations and supervision of energy projects.

• As part of a team, lead/co-lead analytical and strategic work pertaining to energy sector in SAR.

• Coordinate and follow up with government counterparts and consultants, provide high-quality research and analytical support, including drafting policy notes.

• Draft and provide timely contributions to project documents, project implementation and project completion reports.

• Support the preparation, completion and follow-up of official missions including the drafting of aide memoires and official correspondence.

• Mentor and guide younger staff in the SAR Energy unit.

• Other tasks as assigned by the Practice Manager. 

Selection Criteria

• PhD or Master's degree in energy engineering/planning/finance/economics or equivalent areas relevant for energy and/or mining sector development.

• At least 12 years of combined experience in international institutions and/or companies, government agencies, and/or sector utilities with demonstrated track record of successful engagement with complex projects.

• Experience of arranging financing (especially, blending of public and commercial sources) of large energy/mining infrastructure projects is strongly preferred.

• Familiarity with key aspects of design, development, implementation, and operations of large energy/mining infrastructure projects is strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated solid understanding of energy policies, technologies or strategies, private sector participation, and institutional development needed to support development and for the success of project and analytic work.

• Experience in supporting playing key roles in policy dialogue with clients and stakeholders.

• Demonstrated active listening skills and the ability to influence the audience (such as counterparts in government, international partner organizations, academia, and colleagues, senior staff and managers).

• Experience working with large global teams, with an ability to produce high-quality results and outputs with minimal supervision required.

• High level of excitement, ability to work independently, taking initiative, and flexibility in quickly adjusting to changing work program requirements.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to build strong partnerships with clients, different stakeholders and colleagues across units and departmental boundaries in a multi-cultural environment with virtual teams located in different countries.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, including an ability to communicate complex issues in simple terms and to engage in evidence-based dialogue with clients.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.