The World Bank is seeking a highly qualified Energy Specialist to join its office in Nairobi, Kenya. This GF-level, four-year term appointment is designed for professionals who are passionate about expanding sustainable energy access and supporting development efforts across Sub-Saharan Africa. The position plays a central role in driving the Bank’s energy initiatives in Kenya while contributing to broader regional strategies in the Eastern and Southern Africa region.
Regional and Sector Background
Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face major challenges in achieving universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy. Limited access to electricity affects economic growth, education, healthcare, and overall quality of life. The World Bank is therefore intensifying efforts to help governments and private-sector partners expand generation capacity, improve infrastructure, and strengthen energy institutions.
The region’s energy strategy focuses on several key areas: boosting renewable energy deployment, enhancing grid and off-grid systems, promoting clean cooking solutions, supporting regional power integration, and improving the operational and financial performance of national utilities. These priorities reflect the Bank’s broader mission to support sustainable development and reduce poverty through inclusive access to modern energy services.
The Energy Specialist will be instrumental in supporting these efforts. By contributing to policy work, investment projects, and cross-sector initiatives, this role directly impacts millions of people across the region who rely on stable energy access for improved livelihoods.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The Energy Specialist will support a wide portfolio of energy programs and activities. Key responsibilities include:
- Participating in the design, appraisal, negotiation, and supervision of energy-sector investment projects. This includes initiatives in electrification, renewable energy development, mini-grids, and clean cooking technologies.
- Monitoring sector developments, analyzing evolving policies, and assessing regulatory frameworks to inform strategic guidance and support policy reforms.
- Contributing to analytical studies, sector diagnostics, and strategic documents to inform country-level planning and the Bank’s engagement strategy in the energy sector.
- Preparing reports, technical documents, project papers, policy briefs, and other materials that support operational and analytical work.
- Collaborating closely with government ministries, utilities, private-sector actors, development partners, and civil society to improve coordination, strengthen institutional capacity, and support effective project implementation.
- Supporting efforts to mobilize financing, identify public–private partnership opportunities, and ensure alignment among donors and lending institutions.
- Engaging in mission planning, participating in field visits, and providing on-the-ground support to ensure quality project execution and timely reporting.
This role requires both technical and operational expertise, as well as the ability to communicate effectively across diverse stakeholders.
Qualifications and Competencies
Candidates should meet the following requirements:
- A master’s degree or equivalent qualification in engineering, energy planning, sustainable energy, economics, business administration, or a closely related field.
- Significant relevant professional experience in the energy sector, ideally involving development finance, utility operations, renewable energy, or electrification programs.
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret complex sector data, evaluate project risks, and produce high-quality technical outputs.
- Experience working with government institutions, energy regulators, utilities, and private-sector partners.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and engage effectively in a multicultural environment.
- Commitment to advancing sustainable and inclusive development in line with the World Bank’s mission.
Impact of the Role
This position is an opportunity to help shape the future of energy access in one of the world’s most dynamic and fast-growing regions. The Energy Specialist will contribute to projects and policies that strengthen national energy systems, support climate-resilient development, and expand access to reliable power for households, businesses, schools, and health facilities. The role offers meaningful work with lasting impact improving lives, enabling economic opportunities, and driving progress toward universal energy access across Sub-Saharan Africa.
