Senior Nuclear Energy Specialist

Job #:	req36918
Organization:	World Bank
Sector:	Energy
Grade:	GG
Term Duration:	4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:	International Recruitment
Location:	Vienna,Austria
Required Language(s):
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:	9/11/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

This position is a part of the Japanese recruitment mission.

Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the WBG works with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.

Europe and Central Asia Region

The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region comprises 30 extremely diverse, predominantly middle-income countries, with a population of nearly 500 million people. ECA countries face structural and legacy issues affecting their economic growth and job creation, including an incomplete transition to a market economy and declining productivity, weak institutional capacity, dependence on fossil fuels, limited physical and digital connectivity and, in many instances, aging populations. Recent shocks have further exacerbated these challenges, with significant impacts on the level, inclusiveness and sustainability of growth and overall living standards.

The World Bank Group is working closely with client countries in the region to address these issues, with increasing focus on productivity growth and job creation, energy security and water management, human capital and economic inclusion, and physical and digital connectivity. The region has a strong lending pipeline and a large portfolio of projects spanning a number of sectors. In addition, knowledge is critical to the Bank’s value proposition to client countries in the ECA region.

The Infrastructure Vertical

Globally, 840 million people live more than 2 kilometers from all-weather roads, 1 billion people lack electricity, and 4 billion people lack Internet access. Access to basic infrastructure services is critical for creating economic opportunities for the poor. The Infrastructure Vertical is charged with developing sustainable solutions to help close infrastructure gaps in developing and emerging economies.

The World Bank Group helps developing countries build smart infrastructure that supports inclusive and sustainable growth, expands markets, creates job opportunities, promotes competition, and contributes to a cleaner future. We help countries address their unique infrastructure needs by working with the public and private sectors. Infrastructure improves lives by connecting people to opportunity. For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/infrastructure

Unit Context

Energy is at the heart of development. Energy makes possible the investments, innovations and new industries that are the engines of jobs, inclusive growth and shared prosperity for entire economies. Universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable and modern energy – Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 -- is essential to reach other SDGs and is at the center of efforts to tackle climate change. For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/energy

The ECA energy unit (IECEE) has a strong engagement in development policy operations in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA), where energy and related reforms are key components/pillars of the economic reform agenda. It works on a range of regional platforms and programs such as the Energy Community of South East Europe, the Central Asia Regional Economic Commission (CAREC) and a variety of multilateral partnerships with the European Commission and other institutions. Overall, ECA serves 31 client countries with a total population of about 916 million, with a majority living in middle-income economies.

The unit manages a large and diverse portfolio of active projects in about 20 client countries, including investments and advisory services supporting the: (a) scale-up of energy efficiency investments and programs through a range of programs such as credit lines, energy efficiency revolving funds for public and municipal investments, development of energy service companies and support for residential programs; (b) development of national and regional electricity markets in Southeast Europe, Central Asia and Turkey – with a growing focus on regional gas sector development; (c) rehabilitation and modernizations of power system infrastructure, hydropower generation, district heating networks, gas networks; (d) support to decarbonize the energy sector with a focus on renewable energy development and accompanying regulatory and transaction support; (e) integrated assessment, planning and development of energy and water sectors, particularly at the sub-regional level in Southeast Europe and Central Asia; and (f) implementation of reforms in the areas of achieving structural and regulatory consistency with the Energy Community Treaty (for countries that are signatories), sector governance and tariff transitions.

The unit is stepping up its efforts to support clients requesting technical assistance and financing for nuclear electricity programs, as well as support across the nuclear fuel cycle and value chain.

Duties and Accountabilities

• Nuclear technical focal point for ECA region: Serve as a core team member to support the ECA energy unit and broader WBG in their dialogue with client countries on nuclear energy engagement, working closely with task team leaders across technical assistance and advisory products, as well as, where relevant, financing preparation and implementation, and knowledge agenda.

• Technical assistance and advisory: Support task teams in advising client with regards to policy, regulatory and institutional strengthening to support possible nuclear energy, fuel cycle and/or nuclear value chain development. Contribute to analytical products and internal notes directed to the client countries. Support engagement with client at ministry, utility, regulatory levels.

• Lending operations: Provide technical and operational support across WBG lending operations, including for nuclear life extension, possible nuclear new build, fuel cycle and value chains. This may include technical as well as commercial structuring aspects.

• Knowledge agenda:Support the ECA unit in building internal knowledge and capacity on nuclear energy, including safety, security, safeguard and liability. Contribute to internal knowledge products, including as peer reviewer and contributing author. Support building and strengthening alliances and partnerships with nuclear organizations including IAEA, utilities, manufacturers, regulatory bodies, etc

• Ad hoc tasks: Carry out other tasks as requested by the Practice Manager and task team leaders, including preparing briefings, supporting cross-unit collaboration, support specific country engagements, and contributing to internal and external reporting.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in energy policy, engineering, economics, or relevant discipline.

• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in the energy sector, preferably in both the private and public sectors, with a focus on nuclear technologies.

• Strong technical knowledge of nuclear technologies, operations, maintenance, fuel cycle, safety, security and safeguards.

• Deep understanding of policy, regulatory, and institutional aspects for developing a nuclear electricity program is required.

• Familiarity with nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear value chains.

• Experience of World Bank operations (or Multi-lateral or Bi-lateral development institutions), procedures, and policies, with experience supporting lending operations, management of trust funds, and analytical work from project preparation through implementation, will be an asset.

• Proven ability to work effectively with task team leaders and multidisciplinary teams, contribute as a strong core team member.

• Excellent written and spoken English, strong interpersonal skills, and willingness to travel as required.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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.

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Senior Nuclear Energy Specialist