Infrastructure Specialist Job #: req35063 Organization: World Bank Sector: Infrastructure Grade: GF Term Duration:ย 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Moroni,Comoros Required Language(s): English, French Preferred Language(s): Chikomori Closing Date: 12/12/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership of five institutions driven by a bold vision to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, we help solve the worldโs greatest development challenges. When you join the World Bank Group, you become part of a dynamic, diverse organization with 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide. We work with public and private sector partners, invest in groundbreaking projects, and use data, research, and technology to bring tangible and transformative change around the globe. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org
Eastern and Southern Africa Region:ย ย
Home to about half a billion of Africaโs people, Eastern and Southern Africa is a geographically, culturally and economically diverse region of 26 countries stretching from the Red Sea in the North to the Cape of Good Hope in the South. Children under 18 make up almost half of the total population. The subregion boasts of some of the worldโs richest human and natural resources and, apart from South Africa, the countries are predominantly raw material exporters. The World Bank is a dedicated partner for Eastern and Southern African countries, helping them deliver strong development outcomes for their people. A brighter future for Africa is a better future for the world.ย
The World Bank is assisting the government with policy reforms to attract investments in generation and renewable energy along with the promotion of the regional energy trade in the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP), modernizing the electricity network for the needs of a modern economy and increasing energy access are among the key areas of the Bankโs deepening engagement in the sector. To accelerate the access to modern and affordable Energy services, the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have launched the Mission 300 initiative, aiming at providing electricity access to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.ย
The target was announced jointly by President Banga of the WBG, and President Adesina of the AfDB at the Spring Meetings in April 2024, with the WBG committing to delivering electricity access to 250 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, with African Development Bank adding 50 million people. The initiative was fully endorsed by African Heads of State at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit held in Dar es Salaam in January 2025.ย
In the AFE region, the target is primarily supported by the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) Program, using a Multi-Phase Approach (MPA). ASCENT is an ambitious multi-billion program aimed at providing clean energy access to 100 million people across up to 20 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, approved in November 2023 with an IDA envelope of US$5 billion. While the focus is on electricity access, the program will also leverage synergies with clean cooking to accelerate adoption of clean cooking solutions in the region. The Program will also employ cross-sectoral approaches to electrify productive uses and important social infrastructure, such as schools and health facilities. This is done through a combination of mutually reinforcing country projects and regional platforms.ย
Comoros:
This position is based in Moroni, Comoros.ย where the Comoros World Bank Country Office is located. The East Africa unit (IAEE1) Practice Manager is in Nairobi, Kenyaย
The World Bankโs ongoing energy portfolio in Comoros includes one operation:ย the Comoros Solar Energy and Access Project (CSEAP, $48m) which aims to increase renewable energy generation capacity and improve the operational performance of the electric utility. The project comprises of four components. The first component, investment in power storage, photovoltaic (PV), and system upgrades will finance solar PV power plants with battery storage in the three islands of the Comoros as well as system upgrades, rehabilitation, and automation to facilitate integration of solar power into the grid.
This project supports M300 initiative in the country. Under this initiative, the Comoros National Energy Compact was launched in November 2025 with the goal of ensuring access to reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity for 100% of the population, and to ensuring access to clean cooking solutions for 30% of the population by 2030.ย In addition to this investment project, the World Bank is also supporting the government and the electric utility SONELEC, under the ongoing Development Policy Financing series, to implement necessary reforms that will ensure its financial viability and encourage private sector participation to unlock additional resources. The ambition of the Energy compact is to increase the share of renewable energies to at least 45% by 2030 with support from the private sector.ย
The world Bank ongoing Transport portfolio in Comoros includes two operations: (i) the Interisland Connectivity Project which and (ii) the Comoros Interisland Connectivity Project SOP2 aiming at improving maritime transport resilience, connectivity and safety between the islands.ย
As a member of the Comoros energy team, the selected candidate is expected to co-lead the design and implementation of part of the on-going and future World Bank support in energy and support transport activities in Comoros.
Infrastructure Practice Group Context:
The Infrastructure Practice Group, which includes energy, transport, and urban sectors, is charged with developing sustainable solutions to help close infrastructure gaps in developing and emerging economies. There is a strong emphasis on private sector resource mobilization and catalyzing financing from commercial and other sources of development and climate finance.
Energy and Extractives Context:ย
The Energy & Extractives (EEX) Global Practice (GP) of the WBG is made up of more than 300 professionals. The EEX GP 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; and strengthening policy and institutional frameworks to promote transparent and equitable growth of the extractive sectors for public benefit.ย The Africa energy sector grouping consists of four Units across two regions of Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) as well as Western and Central Africa. The position is supporting the East Africa unit (IAEE1).
Transport Context:
Transport is a critical element to reaching almost all social and economic development goals and helping end extreme poverty. Mobility solutions connect billions of people to jobs, education, and health services; make cities and countries competitive and inclusive; and promotes global trade and growth. The World Bankโs Transport Global Practice responds to the needs of developing countries for faster, cheaper, safer and more efficient transport solutions while addressing traffic fatalities, congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, and local air pollution. The World Bank Group is committed to tackling these challenges, with an active transport portfolio of almost $40 billion across more than 100 countries. In addition to financing, the World Bank is shaping the global dialogue on the future of transportation through flagship reports such as the Global Mobility Report, and programs such as the Sustainable Mobility for All initiative, the Global Road Safety Facility and the Africa Transport Policy Program.
Duties and accountabilities:ย
โข ย Be โon the groundโ focal point with the clients on energy and transport sectors and supporting the implementation of ongoing projectsโข ย Support the completion of project preparation activities and related analytical work for new Bank operations in the areas of energy and transport sector governance, renewable energy development as well as road/maritime transport and inter-island connectivity.โข ย Provide substantial input in the preparation and processing of new operations including the drafting Project Concept Notes (PCN), compilation, editing and finalization of the Project Appraisal Documents (PAD) and board packages, actively participating in the design and in defining the procurement planning, social and environmental safeguards, financial management and implementation arrangements and M&E;โข ย Act as focal point for clients, development partners and stakeholders on specific project-related sector policy, institutional and technological aspects.โข ย Liaise with Client, country stakeholders, local staff and expert teams within and outside the Bank to facilitate smooth project preparation, appraisal, negotiation and implementation processes.ย โข ย Draft and review key project documents, including implementation and completion reports, tender documents (such as terms of reference), and provide timely inputs to sector briefings and policy notes.โข ย Support the preparation, execution, and follow-up of official missions, including drafting aide-memoires and official correspondence.
Selection Criteria
โข ย A masterโs degree in engineering, Finance, Economics, or other Energy and/or Development-related areas;ย โข ย Fluency in spoken and written English and French is a must and working knowledge of Chikomorian language is desirableโข ย 5 plus years of work experience and knowledge in relevant areas or sectors (in particular the transport and energy sectors) with work experience in a Development Finance Institution being desirable.โข ย Experience in energy access and sector reforms.โข ย Experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa preferably in both the public and private sectors.โข ย Ability to think strategically, work independently, and multi-task complex projects effectively.โข ย Excellent oral and written communications skills, including demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues at different levels of the organization and in a multi-cultural environment.โข ย Ability to develop, analyze and articulate project issues and to diagnose problems and propose reliable solutions; Interest and experience in preparing and organizing high-level technical workshops and meetings.
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.
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