Senior Energy Economist at World Bank Group

Duties & Accountabilities

The Southern Africa energy unit (IAEE3) seeks a highly motivated Senior Energy Economist who, as part of the South Africa-based energy team, will contribute to the overall energy sector engagement in South Africa and the region of Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP). The Senior Energy Economist will lead or co-lead the preparation and implementation of complex operations, the ongoing sector dialogue, and the extensive analytical work on the energy sector, with particular emphasis on energy sector (utility and market) reforms, financial sustainability of the sector, and the decarbonization agenda. The Southern Africa energy program is growing rapidly, with a critical focus on a just and low-carbon energy transition, resilience, and regional integration.

Specific duties and responsibilities shall include:

•  Co-lead the Bank’s policy dialogue on the energy sector and develop strong working relationships with the Government counterparts (e.g., Ministries responsible for energy, power utilities, electricity regulators, etc.) to advance engagement on strategic energy issues in South Africa;
•  Lead or co-lead the development of energy sector strategic documents, advisory reports, and analytical work on power sector regulation, market and utility reforms, and financial sustainability of the power sector (with a particular focus on the distribution sector) in South Africa and the SAPP region;
•  Working closely with energy colleagues in AFE, lead the development of new lending, preparation, and supervision of investment operations in the energy sector aiming to enhance quality, efficiency, and pro-poor focus and accelerate the implementation of the energy portfolio in South Africa and the Southern Africa region;
•  Lead the drafting and provide inputs for other sector and country analytical and advisory reports and studies, prepare briefings on sector and utility reform, transmission and distribution, renewable energy, climate change, just energy transition, energy efficiency, and other programs within the AFR Energy portfolio;
•  Ensure adequate and appropriate integration of relevant aspects of the energy development agenda in core Bank products, including the country partnership framework, strategic country diagnostic, country economic memorandums, etc.;
•  Participate in the dialogue with relevant representatives of the private sector to keep abreast with issues related to the business investment climate and identify possible areas of collaboration through public-private partnerships; and
•  Develop strong working relationships with the staff of other donor and financing agencies at the country and regional levels and co-operate with them on alignment on strategic issues, preparation, and supervision of projects.

Selection Criteria

•  Postgraduate (Master's or PhD) degree in energy economics/ energy finance/ energy planning, engineering, business administration, or equivalent areas relevant for energy sector development;
•  At least 8 years of combined experience in the World Bank, other international institutions and/or companies, government agencies, and/or power sector utilities with demonstrated track record of successful engagement with relevant developmental programs and projects;
•  Strong understanding of energy policies, technologies or strategies, private sector participation, sector and utility reform, and institutional development needed to support development and for the success of project and analytical work;
•  Experience leading and/or playing key roles in policy dialogue with clients and stakeholders;
•  Experience of designing and implementing energy and/or utility sector reforms, electricity market reforms, tariff and subsidy reforms, scaling up regional electricity trade, and energy transition issues (practical experience in distribution sector performance improvement would be a plus);
•  Experience in planning, designing, and implementing power infrastructure projects including renewable energy generation, transmission, distribution and improving commercial performance of utilities.

WBG Core Competencies

•  Lead and Innovate - Develops innovative solutions with others.
•  Deliver Results for Clients - Achieves results and identifies mission-driven solutions for the client.
•  Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries - Initiates collaboration across boundaries and broadly across the WBG and brings differing ideas to the forefront.
•  Create, Apply and Share Knowledge - Creates, applies and shares knowledge from across and outside WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions.
•  Make Smart Decisions - Recommends and takes decisive action.