Job Title: Renewable Energy Coordinator
Organisation: Heifer International (Heifer)
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
About US:
Heifer International (Heifer) is a non-profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to ending world hunger, poverty and saving the earth. HI works with resource limited families around the globe to become self-reliant. Since it begun in 1944, Heifer International has worked directly with 7 million families in more than 125 countries.
About the Power, Water, and Internet Project:
The Power, Water, and Internet project was launched in June 2022. The overall project goal is “improved incomes and resilience of 5000 smallholder farmers engaged in dairy, beef, Oil seeds and horticulture value chains”. In FY23/24, Heifer Uganda will focus on two (2) major investments under PWI, scaling up the access of clean energy for dairy milk chilling and provision of productive assets within selected value chains. The two (2) investments will translate into increased revenue for small holder farmers and Agri-enterprises to close the living income gap.
Job Summary: Under the guidance of the Project Manager- PWI, the Renewable Energy Coordinator will be responsible for the development of design plans, working drawings, technical specifications, bills of quantities as per project documents and standards for construction and installation of solar PV systems; supervision of construction/installation of solar plants. S/he will provide technical guidance and support to Producer Organization (PO) boards, staff and farmers on productive use of Energy.
He/she will provide technical expertise to all activities relating to the power sizing, needs assessments, energy related studies, monitoring and engagement with all actors including producer organizations, solar service providers, financial service providers, development of solar, business models, capacity building of Producer Organization management teams, producing related reports on project progress; supervising and appraising the performance of solar facilities at Producer Organization level; timely project implementation and delivery of the intended outcomes.
The coordinator will provide technical support to partners in structuring, developing, and delivering investments for solar solutions in the target areas. She/he is responsible for the design and demonstration of innovative, efficient, cost-effective solar energy solutions and promotion of productive energy use.
The Project Coordinator will work in close collaboration with the Business Development Facilitator, PO Managers, partners’ lead persons, and other actors involved in the project for effective achievement of results, anticipating and resolving technical program related issues.
Essential Character Traits: Energetic, positive, team player, result orientated, quality orientated, collaborative, leadership, pragmatic, and inspirational.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Program Effectiveness (70%)
- Accountable for planning, managing, monitoring, and evaluating the project activities in an effective, efficient, and timely manner.
- Ensure that the Producer Organization (POs) have adequate knowledge, information on renewable energy and solar powered chilling plants.
- Support the Solar service providers to design and roll out training, monitoring and management of solar facilities to achieve expected efficiency levels.
- Explore, develop and document and pursue opportunities to scale up and replicate the technology with more POs, service providers and financial institutions.
- Coordinate procurement and construction/installation of solar facilities in partnership with service providers and POs.
- Ensure that quality productive equipment are procured.
- Ensure service providers for Productive equipment provide the required after sales services.
- POs are sensitized and trained to appreciate understanding of renewables and productive energy use.
- Feasibility and appraisal systems conducted for POs to prepare for sizing and installations including technical and economic feasibility, environmental and health impacts.
- Design/ review designs ensuring that they are appropriate to each given context; aspects such as cost, sustainability should be considered.
- Support the reviews of the Bids received, draw up a set of technical specifications that prospective solicitation service providers will need to meet.
- Supervise contractors for installation of solar PV systems in compliance with set standards ensuring quality control.
- Ensure that Producer Organizations have efficient and functional solar systems.
- Build local capacity for sustainable operation and management of solar facilities to promote productive uses of energy and linking with service providers with POs.
- Partnerships strengthened with key stakeholders including financing partners in the energy sector.
- Strategically leverage the private sector, government, and producer organizations periodically to create avenues for scalability.
- Coordinate the distribution of quality productive equipment under POs.
- Ensure operation and maintenance of productive equipment.
- Monitor monthly and report on equipment distribution including cumulative revenue generated.
- Work with the Business Development Facilitator to monitor the number of clients reporting faults with the equipment distributed.
Management & Compliance (30%)
- Working closely with the Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation (MLE) Manager; to create, execute and monitor action plans & renewable access data and business performance at the Pos.
- Submit timely reports to the project Manager.
- Ensure periodic project reviews are conducted, with learnings documented and shared.
- Ensure that contractual obligations are in compliance with donors point of engagement.
- Manage risks and issues; correct deviations from plans; and perform delivery planning for the project.
- Review and coordinate the compilation of weekly, monthly, quarterly reports and ensure that a robust data base is maintained at Project level.
- Keep database of all energy access projects implemented under the county program. This is to include milk volumes, energy generated and consumed, and greenhouse gas emissions reduced etc.
Others:
- May perform any other job-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The applicant must hold a University degree in electrical engineering and / or environmental engineering
- Five years of experience at the national or international level in designing/installing solar energy supply systems for commercial use.
- A minimum of five years of practical working experience with NGOs and private sector involved in renewable energy.
- Computer literacy particularly in AutoCAD, MS Word, Excel, Power point, and SPSS.
- Ability to lead and work as part of a team, flexible, adaptable and patient.
- Ability to plan own work, work under pressure when faced with competing demands.
- Innovative, ability to communicate both written and spoken English.
- Ability to work away from workstation and travelling in remote and /or rural environments.
- Analytical and conceptual skills to plan projects, timetable agreed activities and oversee activities.
- Living in isolated areas
- Good understanding of the energy sector, technologies in Uganda and networking with energy stakeholders
- Profound technical knowledge on renewable energy technologies and practical experience in implementing (renewable) energy projects is required.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the latest developments in solar energy for commercial/ industrial use is required.
- Experience in conducting energy audits is considered an asset.
- Having a business approach to energy and agro-processing. Should be able to write business cases.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in facilitating technical project feasibility studies, designs, including the computation of the associated key financial ratios and benchmarks.
- Computer literacy particularly AutoCAD, Word, Excel, and other relevant Microsoft Office Suite applications, as well as any other databases.
- Proficient in communicating in English and local languages, oral and written.
- Ability to prepare and present documents in a well-designed and attractive format with superior attention to detail.
- Proven project management, contract management, motivational and supervisory skills with ability to train and work cooperatively with a diverse staff.
- Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness and ability to incorporate innovative solutions and design catalytic activities to increase access to renewable energy technologies.
- Proven interpersonal and communication skills with ability to relate to individuals and groups diplomatically and tactfully.
- Sensitivity to the needs and priorities of disadvantaged populations particularly women and children.
- Working in a multi-cultural setting and commitment to promoting teamwork, gender equality, and sensitivity to hunger and poverty issues.
- Ability to work under tight deadlines with minimum supervision.
- Ability to work under pressure in response to changing needs and ability to work well in a team.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally, occasionally on short notice.
- Sound judgment, professionalism, and a positive attitude with the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment and in sometimes difficult circumstances.
- Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested applicants should apply online at the link below
Deadline: 4th August 2023