Renewable Energy Advisor for the Africa Region at United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

Functional Responsibilities:

Strategic planning

• Develop and implement, in collaboration with the Regional director and internal stakeholders, a strategy for the Africa region to position UNOPS as a well-known and recognised resource in renewable energy with Governments, funding partners, UN agencies and other stakeholders, taking into consideration the most likely funding sources for the implementation.
• Develop new and innovative ideas for partnership modalities that will advance UNOPS goals in Renewable Energy.

Technical support

• Provide expert advice internally within UNOPS and externally to partners on the design, development and implementation of sustainable and viable Renewable Energy projects.
• Provide advisory support in conducting the required assessment of energy demand needs.
• Provide advice to UNOPS and partners on the set-up of renewable energy systems in developing countries to ensure value for money and sustainability.
• Technical advice and assistance in the development of the regulatory framework, guidelines and enabling environment to promote both on-grid and off-grid renewable electrification.
• Review of designs and drawings of power utilities; transmission and distribution lines, from the off-grid Main Generation sites, including proposed electrical distribution lines/cables and associated accessories to household connection.
• Provide advice on access grant financing, commercial equity and debt financing and promote the development of technical, operational and maintenance procedures.
• Preparation of project concept notes and other project documents with an emphasis on the strategic direction of these.
• Provide technical advisory support in preparing preliminary and detailed designs, cost estimates, specifications and tender documents, as needed.
• Technical/peer review of the preliminary and detailed design, cost estimates, specifications and tender documents prepared by other entities, as needed.
• Provide technical advisory support to the project team/contractor during project implementation to closely monitor construction activities in compliance with the engineering accuracy of construction activities and compliance to the specified Quality, Health & Safety, Social and Environment management systems.
• Testing and commissioning of mechanical and electrical installation of renewable energy equipment, support structures and asset transfer procedures and approach, as needed.

Capacity building and knowledge management

• Drive knowledge sharing and capacity development in Renewable Energy within Africa Region and extend this to UNOPS globally, as needed.
• Champion UNOPS Africa Region Renewable Energy expertise at a global level with the support of UNOPS’ Partnerships and Liaison Group (PLG) and the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG).

Education/Experience/Language requirements:

Education

• A Master’s Degree or equivalent in renewable energy, engineering, or a related field from a recognised university.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree with additional 2 (i.e. 9) years of relevant working experience may also be considered in lieu of the Master’s Degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years experience in the renewable energy sector in a combination of infrastructure and/or project management experience, preferably in one or more of the following areas: in the development and implementation of both on-grid and off-grid renewable energy projects in either public or private sector organisations is required.
• Experience with community-managed systems, low-tech solutions, and innovative techniques required
• Experience in renewable energy projects and their linkages to national or transnational energy systems is required.
• Experience in Project Management , Stakeholder Engagement , Process compliance , Multistage Reporting are required.
• International experience in developing countries, particularly Africa, is highly desirable.
• Previous assignments with the UN system will be an added advantage.

Other qualifications

• Fluency in English and French is required.
• Strong technical knowledge of both on-grid and off-grid energy systems
• Experience in grid integration of renewable energy projects is required
• Knowledge of load forecasting, demand side management, energy efficiency optimisation and energy/environmental markets is required
• Experience working with development banks is required
• Advanced Microsoft Office (Excel and Access) skills
• Familiarity with GIS modelling
• Strong knowledge of renewable energy PPP and IPP