Senior Energy Economist, Washington (GG) World Bank Closing date: Monday, 9 March 2015 (added 25 February)

Closing date: Monday, 9 March 2015

Background / General description

The Energy & Extractives Global Practice of the World Bank Group is made up of more than 300 professionals, a lending program in the order of US$7 billion a year, an active portfolio of some $30 billion, and a rich program of Advisory and Analytical Work. The Energy side of the practice focuses on providing affordable, reliable and sustainable energy to meet the needs of fast growing economies and to ensure universal access to modern energy services for people in client countries. The Extractives side of the Global Practice focuses on strengthening policy and institutional frameworks to promote transparent and equitable growth of the extractives sectors and leveraging extractives-related infrastructure for public benefit. Both parts of the Global Practice place a strong emphasis on private sector resource mobilization.

The Latin America and Caribbean Region Energy Unit operates in the context of the overall Bank mission to eliminate extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity. Improving energy security (through both supply and demand side interventions), increasing financing for investments, improving efficiency of sectoral enterprises, moving towards universal access, and climate change are key challenges in the Region. Energy services development remains a key element in the Region's strategy for promoting green and inclusive growth and reducing poverty.

The Energy Unit is responsible for implementing the Global Practice's strategy for energy development in the region. The Unit's activities range from project preparation and supervision to economic and sector work (ESW). The Unit operates within the context of the Global Practice, deploying global knowledge and expertise both within the region and globally. It also works closely with the relevant Country Management Units and other sectoral units (including environment, transport, urban, private sector development and finance), and with IFC and MIGA. .

The Latin America and Caribbean Region is home to a number of very sophisticated country clients that require the Bank's support to be on the cutting edge of the development agenda. This includes both investment support as well as analytical and advisory services. We are therefore seeking to recruit a Sr. Energy Economist to: i) conceptualize and implement a robust analytical portfolio, aimed at develop and support the Unit's portfolio of lending and non-lending activities in selected countries in the region; ii) undertake economic analyses related to the Bank's energy operations in the region; and iii) serve as task team leader and/or team member for analytical and operational assignments. This assignment will be grounded in the LAC region, but the successful candidate will also be expected to advise and participate in analytical and operational assignments in other sectors and regions.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 4 year term appointment.

Duties and Accountabilities:

Plays key role in implementation of economic strategy, advises borrowers and colleagues on economic issues, supervises the work of consultants and other economists to ensure consistency and conformity to Bank standards; evaluates assigned economic work program and related project documentation (e.g. substantial components of economic/sector/lending/ research work for important country/policy projects and issues).
Employs appropriate methodologies for handling simple and complex procurement tasks and/or issues
Generates 'think pieces' and 'best practices' studies, handles complex economic, institutional and program implementation issues, leads the development of proposals and the interface with member governments and agencies on resolving economic issues.
Contributes to country and sector strategy; makes recommendations on strategies and policy options for member countries.
Leads missions and supervises major economic projects, interacting with clients at the policy level, organizes and manages policy development initiatives and evaluation work in collaboration with other development agencies and donors.
Coordinates and produces major/complex country economic, research and policy reports.
Works independently under general direction of unit manager and guides and mentors more junior staff.

Selection Criteria: The successful candidate is expected to meet the following requirements:

Master's degree, in economics or closely related field
At least 8 years of related work experience in the energy sector.
Ability to understand and analyze complex problems and develop innovative solutions.
Proven ability to manage complex projects and programs.
Proven experience with delivering very high quality analytical and advisory work and lending operations.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate and liaise effectively with clients.
Ability to mentor junior staff.
Proficiency in English and Spanish with an ability to convey complex ideas with clarity, diplomacy, and precision.
The successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:
General Economic Knowledge and Analytical Skills
Stays current on trends and literature pertaining to one's area of expertise. Possesses cross-country knowledge in economic specialty and demonstrates ability to address issues at a broader level, as well as in depth. Demonstrates ability to link the macro, the institutional, and the micro-level behaviors and can identify the relevant sectoral analysis. Able to support findings/policy recommendations with credible analysis and tools. Proven ability to conceptualize, design, and implement major tasks, including through leading and participating in task teams of lending and non-lending operations.
Integrative Skills
Is able to link all relevant cross-sectoral areas to own work, and understands how they are interrelated. Draws on diverse, cross-sectoral teams to enhance the rigor of advice on cross-cutting and sectoral issues. For operations roles, demonstrates ability to undertake cross-sectoral work, in lending and non-lending operations.
Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena
Has ability to translate technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies. Interacts with clients at the policy level, and organizes and manages policy development initiatives in collaboration with other development agencies and donors. Ensures consistency and conformity to Bank standards.
Policy Dialogue Skills
Possesses political judgment, diplomatic acumen, and negotiating skills. Applies cross-country development knowledge to discussions with clients and development partners. Is able to anticipate needs and requests in the field and develop/offer relevant tools to clients. Is able to conduct independent policy discussions with representatives of the government and non-government partners on selected policy issues. Able to lead task teams, participate in formal negotiations, and assist government in establishing priorities.
Energy Policy, Strategy and Institutions
Has a solid understanding of the energy policies, strategies, and institutions needed to support development and for the success of the project and sector. Can assess the client's specific energy policies, strategies, and institutions, and their impact on the project and sector. Can credibly and effectively engage with a range of energy sector institutions to support project outcomes. Has experience with monitoring and evaluating performance. Has a strong knowledge of the energy market and regulations.
Energy Sector Economics
Has a deep understanding of most of the energy sector economic concepts. Develops innovative analyses across a range of complex and unusual scenarios. Consults to clients and Bank staff around best practice in this area. Devises novel approaches to analyzing energy sector economic impact.
Lead and Innovate
Encourages and works with others to identify, incubate and implement relevant solutions. Identifies opportunities in changing circumstances and energizes others to continuously improve, using intentional strategies to boost morale, team spirit, and productivity in context of WBG's values and mission. Helps others to understand problems, client needs and the underlying context.
Deliver Results for Clients
Develops and implements solutions that show understanding of how clients and/or own work achieves results that are financially, environmentally and socially sustainable. Shares new insights based on in-depth understanding of the client and recommends solutions for current and future needs of clients. Holds self and team accountable for risk management and outcomes.
Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries
Collaborates across organizational boundaries, internally and externally with a sense of mutuality and respect. Consistently engages others in open dialogue, brings out any conflicting viewpoints and incorporates viewpoints into solutions, giving credit where credit is due. Leverages expertise of all team members to ensure successful outcomes. Makes choices and sets priorities with a WBG corporate perspective in mind.
Create, Apply and Share Knowledge
Ensures systematic sharing of good practice and learning from lessons from across WBG, clients, and partners. Is known across WBG in their subject area and is sought out by WBG colleagues to advise, peer review, or contribute to knowledge products of others. Seeks mentoring opportunities with more experienced staff to deepen or strengthen their professional knowledge and mentors junior staff. Builds networks across the WBG and as part of external professional groups/networks.
Make Smart Decisions
Applies critical thinking and seeks inputs and experience from others to recommend a course of action consistent with the WBG's strategy. Evaluates risk and anticipates the short and long term implications of decisions. Commits to a decision and takes action once a decision has been reached.

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence