Right to Care – Zambia: Electrical / Solar Engineer x3 (Individual Consultant)

II. Background Information

DSD facilities have faced regular power interruptions because of load management being experienced in the country, affecting the effective operations of the facilities and capturing of data. With funding received from USAID, RTC is to install solar-powered energy systems at each of the 94 DSD facilities. With the solar systems in place, RTC can ensure the effective running of its operations, even when there is no power from the national hydro electricity-powered grid. This is vital to ensuring quality health services to the Zambian population, as interruptions in power supply had previously led to delays in the reporting times.

III. General Description

Electrical/Solar Engineer will among many other duties be responsible and be able to:

• Provide technical assistance to RTC from planning, implementation, supervision and monitoring of the solar installations in Muchinga, Northern and Luapula Provinces up to hand-over to end-users.
• Advise on the national legal requirements and procedures, international standards applicable for solar installations.
• Ensure that there is effective supervision, monitoring and implementation of the project to be completed in a timely manner and within the budget and quality standards.
• Ensure that there are effective quality control measures in place for the implementation and monitoring of the project and that the contractor complies with all the technical specifications
• Identify and manage risks and ensure that timely corrective actions are undertaken for benefit maximization to the client and other stakeholders
• To ensure that all project’s objectives are timely and correctly, completed and according to Quality, Health, Safety and Environment standards.
• To effectively supervise the final completion of installed solar system by ensuring that accurate preparation and implementation of all relevant tasks are carried out by the Contractor in accordance with both institutional and external requirements, legislation and regulations.
• Take technical responsibility for the overall progress of the project and prudent management of resources.

IV. Scope of work

Under the guidance of Senior IT Manager, the following are the specific roles and responsibilities expected:

• To undertake a technical assessment of the DSD Facilities solar solution requirements i.e. specifications.
• To design circuits for connecting essential equipment mainly IT equipment (computers, laptops, printers and routers) to the off-grid solar system
• Prepare a technical report for kick-starting the procurement process
• Provide support in the procurement of a Contractor by preparing tender documents, and participation in the negotiations with the selected bidder.
• Take timely action to prevent potential delays and/or cost overruns that can be avoided
• Provide supervision of project work progress and quality for on-time project delivery as per the contractual provisions by planning and coordinating work activities with the contractor.
• Monitor contractor presence on the project site, measuring, assessing and certifying the work accomplishment as per the scope of work, Bill of Quantities (BOQ) and a signed contract.
• Verify that works are consistent with the project technical specifications and inform promptly of eventual deviations(Quality control)
• Provide on-demand support on any relevant issues related to the solar installation works raised by the Stakeholders.
• Review the project plan, work schedule and the outstanding installation strategy provided by the Contractor and if found acceptable and reasonable, monitor the works to ensure that the contractor complies with the plan.
• Prepare and update a high-level timeline showing when each phase of the project must be completed to meet the final deadline, showing a critical path bringing to the delivery of the project and ensure close monitoring of the progress of the project.
• To facilitate handover of the project to RTC, ensuring that all contractual obligations of the Contractor are fully met and the installed solar system meets the required standards.

V. Deliverables:

The following are the expected deliverables:

• Technical Assessment Report highlighting the findings including specifying the installation completion plan and methodology of the entire contract including the Defect Liability Period (DLP).
• Design for essential load requirements to specified equipment for each DSD facility in the three provinces.
• Certification of works done on the installation
• Monitoring of the installation budget to ensure that any variations do not exceed the budget allowed in the contract.

Core competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the RTC’s values and ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of RTC.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Communications and networking skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiating skills, sound judgment and discretion.

Technical/Functional competencies:

• Demonstrates strong technical knowledge and commitment to continuous learning.
• Demonstrates results orientation and focus on solutions.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with clients, donors and other stakeholders.
• Ability to plan work in a collaborative manner and to manage priorities.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve the goals of the project and in accordance with RTC shared goals.
• Knowledge of national regulations regarding management of solar installation projects is required.
• Communication skills in a complex multi-stakeholder environment in construction projects.
• Ability to work under time pressures and considerable work-load.
• Ability to successfully perform site supervision duties and desk reviews and analyses.
• Strong Report writing abilities and attention to detail.

VI. Recruitment Qualifications and Requirements

(i) Education:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering
• Master’s degree in energy related field is desirable
• Project management experience is required, and certification will be an added advantage.

(ii) Certification

• Licensed electrical /solar engineer
• Registered with a professional Engineering Board (Engineering Institution of Zambia )

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience related to the project requirements in electrical/solar engineering is required.
• Excellent analytical skills and sectoral expertise relevant to solar design and installations.
• Experience from similar assignments (as supervising engineer or consultant)
• Excellent oral and written skills in English.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Project

Disclaimer

By applying for the above-mentioned position, you consent to Right to Care to conduct qualification, ID, criminal and reference checks (internal and external) which forms part of the Company’s recruitment policy and procedure. Should you not receive a response to your application from Right to Care within one month of this advert being placed, kindly consider your application as being unsuccessful.

Only applicants meeting the strict criteria outlined above will be contacted as part of the shortlisting process. Right to Care reserves the right to withdraw the vacancy at any time for whatever reason.

Right to Care is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.