Position Overview The World Bank is recruiting an Energy Specialist for its Nairobi office under requisition number req35064. This locally recruited position is graded at the GF level and carries a four-year term. The role is designed for a professional committed to contributing to the World Bank Group’s mission of eliminating poverty and enhancing shared prosperity on a livable planet. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the World Bank Group partners with governments, private-sector actors, and development institutions to address critical development challenges. Regional and Sector Context Eastern and Southern Africa is a diverse region of 26 countries, home to nearly half a billion people. Rich in natural and human resources, the region faces significant infrastructure and development gaps. The World Bank supports countries across this region in delivering strong development outcomes and accelerating access to modern and affordable energy. In collaboration with the African Development Bank, the World Bank is advancing the Mission 300 initiative, launched to provide electricity access to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. The World Bank has committed to delivering access for 250 million people, with the African Development Bank covering the remaining 50 million. Endorsed by African Heads of State in 2025, the initiative is central to expanding energy access at scale. Within Eastern and Southern Africa, the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) Program plays a pivotal role. Approved in 2023 with a US$5 billion IDA envelope, ASCENT aims to provide clean energy access to 100 million people across up to 20 countries. While prioritizing electricity access, the program also integrates clean cooking, productive uses of energy, and electrification of key social infrastructure. Country Context: Kenya The Energy Specialist will be based in Nairobi, where the East Africa energy unit (IAEE1) and Kenya Country Management Unit are located. The World Bank’s energy portfolio in Kenya includes a major multi-phase program and an off-grid solar access initiative designed to support the country’s sectoral reforms. These efforts contribute to Kenya’s ambition to achieve universal electricity access and a 100 percent clean power mix by 2030, consistent with the National Energy Compact launched in October 2025. Program areas include expanding generation capacity, strengthening competitive infrastructure, advancing regional energy integration, promoting distributed renewable energy, supporting clean cooking adoption, improving financial sustainability of utilities, and enhancing service reliability. The selected candidate will help design and implement ongoing and future support for Kenya and the broader region. Role Responsibilities The Energy Specialist will contribute to investment operations, analytical work, and policy dialogue across Sub-Saharan Africa, with a strong focus on Kenya. Key responsibilities include: Preparing, appraising, negotiating, and supervising energy projects as part of multidisciplinary teams. Remaining current on sector developments, policies, and analytical work. Contributing to strategic and analytical tasks led by IAEE1 and other practice groups. Supporting the region’s agenda on expanding energy access and improving service delivery. Coordinating with government counterparts, partners, and consultants, and drafting analytical materials and policy notes. Participating in policy dialogue on energy issues and notifying management of emerging challenges. Ensuring appropriate integration of energy priorities into core World Bank products such as the country partnership framework, country diagnostics, and economic memoranda. Engaging in donor coordination to ensure complementarity with other development partners. Supporting dialogue with the private sector and identifying opportunities for public-private partnerships. Contributing to project documentation, supervision reports, completion reports, and mission preparation. Providing inputs for sector briefings and strategic communications. Selection Criteria Ideal candidates should demonstrate: A master’s degree in engineering, energy planning, economics, sustainable energy, business administration, or a related field. At least five years of experience in the energy sector, preferably within international institutions, development organizations, utilities, or government agencies. Strong understanding of energy policies, technologies, regulations, and private-sector participation. Experience in energy access expansion and sector reforms, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Experience in off-grid energy is an added advantage. Familiarity with World Bank or other international financial institution operations. Strategic thinking abilities and the capacity to manage complex tasks independently. Strong analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills. Experience organizing technical workshops or high-level meetings. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in multicultural environments. Demonstrated ability to contribute to policy dialogue and cross-sector initiatives. Organizational Values The World Bank Group values a culture of urgency, thoughtful risk-taking, empowerment, and accountability. It offers competitive benefits, including retirement plans, health insurance, disability coverage, paid leave, and accommodations for individuals with disabilities. As an equal opportunity employer, the World Bank fosters an inclusive environment free from discrimination based on gender, identity, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. 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