UNDP Jobs - 63142- Provision of Individual Services of an Internation

Provision of Individual Services of an International Technical Consultant for Earthing and Lightning Protection of PV systems

Location :

Beirut, LEBANON

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

09-Feb-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

The Small Decentralized Renewable Energy Power Generation Project, also known as DREG or the DREG Project, is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project is nationally executed by the Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) with the Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation (LCEC).

The project’s objective is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the removal of barriers to widespread application of decentralized renewable energy (RE) power generation, and to catalyse the development of the small, decentralized, grid-connected renewable energy power generation market in Lebanon.

In the absence of a Lebanese electrical safety code with compulsory regulations to adhere by, earthing and lightning protection are not subjects that are well-addressed and embraced in Lebanon, especially for PV systems, hence the importance of shedding light on these subjects so that PV designers and installers incorporate these electrical safety measures in their projects according to international standards and best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant shall perform all the services/work as necessary to fulfill the objectives of the consultancy contract.

The objective of the required work is the technical training of Lebanese photovoltaic (PV) system designers and installers in the area of earthing and lightning protection.

As such, the selected individual will be responsible for providing the services outlined below:

Prepare and present a technical workshop on earthing and lightning protection for PV systems

Gather basic background knowledge on the PV industry in Lebanon and the general status of the electrical grid (DREG’s technical staff can help in knowledge gathering by sharing their practical experience with the Lebanese grid and its characteristics).

Prepare a technical presentation that includes, but is not limited to, the following topics according to international standards and common best practices:

General overview and basic concepts of earthing (i.e. reasons behind and purpose of earthing systems, difference between TT, TN-S, TN-C…) and lightning protection (i.e. classes of LPS, air termination systems, calculation methods…) and their main components;
Earthing of PV systems (risks and solutions, main components…);
Lightning protection of PV systems (risks and solutions, main components…);
Residual and leakage currents protection for PV systems (types of RCDs, proper installation and selection, …);
Surge and overvoltage protection for PV systems (types of surge protection devices, proper installation and selection, …);
International best practice and case studies to represent best practices.

The most important aspect of the presentation should be dedicated to the application of the above to the Lebanese case, taking into consideration that PV designers and installers are implementing many PV projects for (older) existing facilities that often do not have any earthing or lightning protection systems in place;

Prepare for and hold a workshop/training in Lebanon to present the above information. The training should include real case studies and an interactive Q&A session.

Develop the Document titled “Technical Guidelines and Recommended Best Practices for Earthing & Lightning Protection of PV Systems in Lebanon”

Based on the Consultant’s experience, the workshop’s content, and in light of the Q&A and conclusions drawn from the workshop, a document titled “Technical Guidelines and Recommended Best Practices for Earthing & Lightning Protection for PV Systems in Lebanon” is to be developed by the Consultant;
The document should include internationally recognized design and installation best practices and their application to the Lebanese case;
Diagrams, illustrations, case studies, and examples are to be included in the document as well;
A “Frequently Asked Questions” section based on the workshop’s Q&A and other recurrent queries should also be included at the end of the document.

Kindly refer to the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice and all related Annexes by visiting the below link:

http://www.lb.undp.org/content/lebanon/en/home/operations/procurement/

Please make sure to submit all the requested documents/information; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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 favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

Strong analytical and report-writing skills;
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
Emphasis on delivery of results and reacts well to constructive criticism.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

Advanced university degree (Master or above) in electrical engineering or related field. Major or specialization in power grids, renewable energy, electrical safety or related fields is required.

Years of experience:

Relevant experience of not less than 10 years including experience in working and collaborating with various government agencies or interdisciplinary teams;
Previous experience in the fields of lightning and earthing protection for PV systems is an asset;
Previous trainings and workshops in this field are highly desirable;
Electrical and construction experience in developing countries with grid-related issues similar to Lebanon is highly desired and will be considered as an asset.

Languages:

Advanced level of communication skills including proficiency in the English language.

Application procedure:

Kindly refer to the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice and all related Annexes by visiting the below link:

http://www.lb.undp.org/content/lebanon/en/home/operations/procurement/

Please make sure to submit all the requested documents/information; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete.