UNDP Jobs - 39449- Chief Technical Advisor for Solar PV Project in Se

Chief Technical Advisor for Solar PV Project in Seychelles

Location :

Seychelles, SEYCHELLES

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

15-Sep-2013

Application Deadline :

23-Aug-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

19 working weeks

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

42 months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Currently, the Seychelles is almost 100% dependent on imported oil to meet its energy needs, including electricity production. To increase the representation of renewable energy within the energy mix, UNDP-GEF is implementing a project Grid Connected Rooftop Photovoltaic systems in Seychelles (PV project). The objective of the project is to increase the use of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems as a sustainable means of generating electricity in selected main islands and smaller islands of the Seychelles, with a focus on small-scale producers who are already connected to the national electricity grid.

The project is revising the legal, regulatory and policy framework to better support the adoption of renewable energy technologies, and grid-connected PV systems in particular. It also seeks to design and implement financial mechanisms that will make the purchase and installation of solar PV systems more attractive to the private sector; establish the first market supply chain for solar PV systems in the country, provide training to establish local capacity for the installation and maintenance of PV systems, and demonstrate for the first time in the Seychelles the viability and practicality of grid-connected PV systems through demonstration PV systems. Together, these actions are designed to play a critical role in “jump-starting” the adoption of solar PV technology in the Seychelles, and in setting the stage for broad-scale replication by reducing the costs of PV technology through a market-based approach that will establish financial incentive mechanisms for PV systems and reduce transaction costs (by creating a reliable supply chain and establishing local capacity for installation and maintenance).

Objective of the assignment

The PV project is implemented by the Seychelles Energy Commission (SEC) under the overall responsibility of the Department of Environment (DOE) in the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE). The Solar PV Technical Advisor will provide overall advice and guidance to the implementation of the project, and will work in close consultation with the SEC and the Project Manager of the project, and with technical consultants working within the scope of the project. The Advisor is expected to provide unbiased technical guidance to the project on a periodic basis throughout the project life cycle.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main duty of the Advisor will be to provide technical guidance to the National Project Manager and the Seychelles Energy Commission on the overall implementation of project activities, with specific reference to the following:

Provide overall technical guidance and advice in the planning and implementation of the technical assistance components of the project, including advising in the preparation of work plans, assist in the preparation of terms of reference and review of technical reports;
Assist in the identification and design of data collection procedure, oversee data collection, data analysis, and the development and use of modelling software related to national energy planning and national energy resource assessment;
Provide technical advice and assist in the development of a strategy for the creation of a national solar irradiation map;
Support the financial/economic expert in collecting information and analyzing this to establish the financial incentives to be used to promote photovoltaic technology;
Assist in the implementation of other technical aspects of the project as needed.

Deliverables are as follows:

Mission reports after each mission to Seychelles, describing the general status of the project, achievements, challenges faced and recommendations to the SEC and Project Manager to address issues arising;
Specific written inputs to project annual work plans and annual progress reports;
Specific written inputs into key monitoring and evaluation documents, such as reviews of the reports of the mid-term and terminal project evaluations.

Competencies

Demonstrable ability to maintain effective communications with different stakeholders;
Fully computer literate;
Good presentation and reporting skills;
Have effective interpersonal skills and ability to work in complex, multi-stake-holder projects;
Knowledge of various requirements for the installation of small-scale solar PV installations, including permits, grid connection, power purchase agreement and the installation process;
Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
Fullfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum of a Masters’ degree in an engineering discipline related to energy, power generation and/or distribution, with a specialization in renewable energy and preferably PV technology.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of experience in the utility/energy sector with extensive knowledge and experience with renewable energy sources, in particular solar PV;
Practical experience in similar assignments, preferably with experience in renewable energy projects in Small Island Developing States;
Prior UNDP/GEF project experience and knowledge of UNDP and GEF procedures and guidelines is an advantage.

Language:

Fluent in written and spoken English.