Principal Industry Specialist

Job #: req24778

Organization: IFC

Sector: Energy

Grade: GH

Term Duration: 3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type: International Recruitment

Location: Vienna,Austria

Required Language(s): English

Preferred Language(s): French, Spanish

Closing Date: 11/13/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org

The Global Energy (CEMEN) unit, in collaboration with the regional industry groups, is responsible for IFC’s energy business, including power generation with a focus on renewables, transmission and distribution, and innovative clean energy technologies such as battery storage and green hydrogen.

IFC is recruiting a Principal Industry Specialist to provide technical advice and support to its investment staff. The job holder will be based in Vienna and report to IFC’s Global Energy Sector Manager in Washington DC.

Duties and Accountabilities:

•  Support the development of new power projects worldwide and lead their technical appraisal to identify strengths and weaknesses with a focus on renewable power projects (hydro, solar and wind) to support IFC’s decision making process. Such appraisals include site visits, supervision of consultants, review major contracts (PPA, EPC, FSA, O&M and concession) and present key operational and capital assumptions for incorporation in financial models undertaken by investment staff etc.
•  Support portfolio management: review technical aspects of IFC’s portfolio of power sector investments, including field inspection as necessary, assist in resolving operational weaknesses and provide advice for project enhancements to both internal and external clients.
•  Contribute to sector work (e.g., identify market trends, develop, and implement sector strategies and new initiatives to respond to business needs and grow the pipeline of projects)
•  Maintain and build power sector knowledge and support best practice knowledge sharing
•  Liaise with client’s technical staff, project engineers and lenders’ engineers.
•  Hire and supervise specialized engineering agencies as necessary.

Selection Criteria

•  Advanced degree in engineering and 10+ years in the electric power industry, ideally in the private sector and emerging economies;
•  Successful track record in one or several of the following areas: electric utility management and operations, power and energy transactions, generation, transmission and distribution operations, power system planning, project development, power plant construction and environmental compliance;
•  Knowledge and expertise in renewable energy generation, especially hydropower, wind, solar, storage and biomass;
•  Operational experience and experience as lenders’ engineer will be considered a plus;
•  Significant work experience in the private sector and emerging economies;
•  Up-to-date knowledge of capital costs and operating parameters of diverse generation technologies and T & D networks;
•  Knowledge of deregulated market operation and tariff calculation is a plus;
•  Strong interpersonal skills, ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds;
•  Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; fluency in written and spoken French and/or Spanish is a plus.

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.