The International Finance Corporation is an investor and advisor supporting sustainable economic growth in developing countries by making private sector investments, mobilizing capital in the international financial markets, and providing advisory services to businesses and governments.

As part of the IFC’s Cross Cutting Advisory Solutions department, the Energy & Resource Efficiency (E&RE) group works to develop clean energy opportunities and improved resource use in emerging markets. The central aim is to increase energy access and optimize the use of resources to transform markets and improve people's lives. IFC’s E&RE works with a range of industrial sectors including agribusiness, infrastructure, financial institutions, services, manufacturing, among others. 

Africa faces deep development challenges and the lack of access to reliable energy sources makes these challenges even more daunting. Currently, about 587 million in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) lack access to electricity. Africa’s growing un-electrified households and businesses are estimated to spend annually US$10 billion on low quality fuel-based lighting such as kerosene and candles. Fuel lighting is expensive, inefficient, hazardous, and pollutes the environment. Poor quality light negatively affects health, hinders the development of small and medium enterprises, and impedes learning in schools and homes. 

A key program of E&RE is Lighting Africa (www.lightingafrica.org), which works to reduce market barriers for the private sector to reach and provide modern lighting to 250 million people in Africa without electricity by 2030. This is in support of achieving the energy access Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with an emphasis on clean energy solutions. The Lighting Africa program works with lighting product manufacturers, distributors, consumers, financial institutions, development partners, and governments to help build a market for reliable lighting products.

There are alternatives to fossil fuel-based lighting. Recent technological advances in compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and in particular light emitting diodes (LED) promise clean, durable, and high-quality lighting as a solution for those who are not yet connected to the electrical grid.

The Lighting Africa program works with lighting product manufacturers, distributors, consumers, financial institutions, development partners, and governments to help build a market for reliable lighting products.

IFC is recruiting an Operations Officer, Lighting Africa Program. This is a key position for the regional expansion of the program in Nigeria. The position is based in Lagos. 

The incumbent will report to the Lighting Africa Program Manager based in Kenya.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 2 year term appointment.

POSITION : Operations Officer, Energy & Resource Efficiency (E&RE)

Duties and Accountabilities:

The Operations Officer will be in charge of coordinating the implementation of the Lighting Nigeria program, which will include the full range of activities, all the way from designing the specific services provided by the program to managing its implementation with clients at the company, sector and policy levels. The Operations Officer will also be the main contact for the program in the country and will need to engage with public sector entities, financial institutions, other development agencies and potential project developer clients.

The specific responsibilities of this position include: 

Business Development and Advisory to off-grid lighting 

The Operations Officer will provide advisory services aimed at developing and catalyzing commercial markets for clean energy products and services in Nigeria by operating at the firm, sector and policy levels. S/he will oversee a small team of external consultants to work with equipment manufacturers, distribution companies and financial institutions to build and support replicable business models for lighting in off-grid markets in Nigeria. In particular, s/he will identify and support companies with direct advisory and business development support to off-grid industry stakeholders to promote and scale up high potential business models. The Operations Officer will also cover the market intelligence function and analysis cycle, from content design to review and quality control of final publications, and will oversee final report production and dissemination where required. 

Engagement with stakeholders, including partners and clients

The Operations Officer will need to continuously update and keep the industry stakeholders in the country abreast of the activities of Lighting Nigeria, leveraging IFC colleagues who have client relationships with the stakeholders. S/he will need to actively participate in the energy sector donor coordination initiative. Key stakeholders include:

• Public sector agencies; 

• Development agencies promoting renewable energy and energy access;

• Private sector entities in renewable energy and energy access;

• Business and industry associations;

• Financial service providers including banks, foundations, private equity funds, insurance/guarantee providers, among others;

• Other IFC internal divisions, World Bank Group and other stakeholders as needed.

Reporting

For both programs, the Operations Officer will report on progress, budgets and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) to IFC management and donors, including through IFC’s project supervision reporting system and donor reports, as required. 

Measurement & Evaluation 

• Set up tools to monitor and track the program performance in line with the log-frame;

• Manage individual programs to ensure timely execution and completion of Management Information System reporting requirements; and

• The Operations Officer will have volume and development impact targets defined by the E&RE regional lead.

Other Responsibilities

• Draft TORs, hire and manage third party consultants to implement the different components and activities;

• Promote IFC’s missions and goals as well as raise awareness on the Lighting Nigeria;

• Coordinate with internal (World Bank Group) and external entities promoting renewable energy and energy access; and

• Additional tasks will be added, as needed.

Selection Criteria:

• Masters level education in business, engineering, finance, economics, or related subject.

• At least eight (8) years of commercial sales/marketing experience or business development experience with a specific focus on rural and social marketing, as well as SMEs, and experience interfacing with the supply chain and end consumers. 

• Successful experience managing complex relationships, resolving differences, and achieving successful outcomes among multiple and diverse sets of stakeholders, from government representatives down to rural retailers. 

• A record of working with diverse stakeholders, from central government to rural entrepreneurs, and achieving successful outcomes. 

• Deep knowledge and hands-on experience of the Nigerian market and supply chain is essential.

• Familiarity with the energy sector.

• Demonstrated knowledge in launching new products; candidates having experience with clean energy technologies and markets have a competitive advantage. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to present the programs to high level company and government representatives.

• Capacity to operate successfully in a high pressure, fast-paced, and multicultural environment. 

• Positive, go-getter attitude, willing to continuously learn, share experiences and knowledge, and encourage innovation. 

• Solid English communication skills.

The contract for this position has an initial duration of two years (with the possibility for renewal), with a one-year probation period. World Bank Group staff on regular or open-ended appointments will also be considered, and if selected, will transfer at their current appointment status.

Applications should be sent in English and must be submitted through World Bank Group website. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Cover letter should clearly describe the relevant results the candidate has delivered in prior positions, rather than simply listing responsibilities. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Citizens of African countries, as well as women and other minorities, are strongly encouraged to apply.