National Consultant to provide technical support on renewable energy 200 working days (Open to Zimbabwean Nationals only)

Poste numéro: 582406
Type de contrat: Consultant
Situation géographique: Zimbabwe
Catégorie: Education

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, sustenance

UNICEF has been operating in Zimbabwe since 1982. We are a team of passionate professionals committed to the protection and fulfillment of children’s rights. 

Supporting the Government’s vision of a prosperous  and  empowered upper-middle-income society, the country programme is aimed at contributing to sustainable socioeconomic development that provides all children, including adolescents, with opportunities to fulfil their potential, lead a healthy life, access quality learning and protection and meaningfully participate in society.

For more information about UNICEF Zimbabwe please click here

You can also access and explore all new UNICEF vacancies and create job alerts via the UNICEF Zimbabwe website link below:

https://www.unicef.org/zimbabwe/work-us

How can you make a difference? 

UNICEF Zimbabwe is inviting applications for a national individual to provide technical support on the design and implementation of the solarization projects. The consultant will be responsible for managing the installation of solar power systems activities in schools and communities by providing technical guidance to UNICEF Programmes/Operations on all energy and rehabilitation activities.

BACKGROUND

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
UNICEF Zimbabwe Country Office education section is currently finalizing implementation of a school solarizations pilot project, and a new phase of School Solarization will start very soon for 148 schools.
To fully manage the delivery of all programmed energy projects and provide support to UNICEF office premises in terms of solarization, UNICEF wishes to engage a competent and experienced renewable energy consultant who is familiar with all types of energy systems but particularly solar powered systems, who will be directly responsible for the projects planning, implementation, projects budget control, risk mitigation, contracts, and monitoring.
 
ASSIGNMENTS:
 
The following are the key tasks to be carried out in collaboration with MoPSE at all levels:
Project Planning
 
  • Conduct a thorough analysis of the energy needs of the targeted facilities (education, health, WASH and social protection and country office) and identify specific energy consumption requirements, and the facility’s operational hours.
  • Assess physical locations to ensure solar panels can be optimally installed (e.g., adequate yard space, angle of sunlight, shading factors).
  • Define the resources (human, financial, technological) required for the project. Set a clear budget that includes procurement, installation, training, and post-installation maintenance.
  • Assess the cost efficiency of a solar mini grid to serve Schools, health care facilities and households
  • Develop a project timeline with defined milestones for procurement, installation, commissioning, and handover, ensuring minimal disruption of activities.
  • Identify potential risks, such as delays due to weather, supply chain issues, or unexpected costs, and create contingency plans to mitigate these risks.
  • Ensure regular communication and collaboration with all project stakeholders, including government ministries and agencies, contractors, NGOs, and local communities.
  • Maintain rigorous quality checks during procurement, installation, and testing to ensure adherence to the project design and standards.
  • Ensure the project aligns with local laws, regulations, and environmental standards, including environmental impact assessments and safety regulations
 
Tender Development and Evaluation
  • Develop a clear and comprehensive TOR that outlines the scope of the solarization project, including site assessments, system design, procurement, installation, and post-installation support. Specify technical requirements (e.g., quality certifications, system efficiency) and timelines.
  • Define the criteria for evaluating the tenders, such as technical expertise, cost-effectiveness,delivery timeframes, and post-installation support. Prioritize companies with proven experience in timeously set up solar projects and robust customer service.
  • Provide support to supply section to negotiate the contract terms, ensuring transparency in pricing, performance guarantees, and maintenance provisions. Include clauses for quality assurance, safety measures, and delivery deadlines.
  • Assess the technical aspects of the tender, ensuring that the proposed solar solutions meet the facilities’ energy requirements and comply with local regulations and sustainability goals.
  • Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the proposals, considering both upfront costs and long-term savings. Ensure that the financial terms are within the school’s budget while delivering value for money.
  • Contribute with Supply section to the selection of the most suitable contractor based on the comprehensive evaluation, ensuring that the chosen company has a solid track record and can deliver high-quality results on time.
 
Technical Assistance and Guidance
  • Provide technical expertise for designing energy systems, including the configuration of solar panels, inverters, and storage. Use the UNICEF Sizing Tool or similar resources to ensure the systems are appropriately sized based on the school’s energy consumption.
  • Advise on selecting the right technology for energy systems, for instance considering factors such as solar panel efficiency, inverter quality, battery storage capabilities and budget, and choose systems that are durable and suitable for the local climate conditions. Consider wind power as an alternative when possible.
  • Offer guidance on the technical aspects of installation, such as ensuring proper wiring, securing the panels, and avoiding shading during installation. Ensure that the system is integrated correctly with the facility electrical infrastructure where it exists.
  • Ensure the systems are designed to function independently and include energy storage solutions like batteries when appropriate.
  • Help design a maintenance plan that includes periodic inspections, cleaning of panels, and troubleshooting of any issues. This ensures the longevity and efficiency of the solar system over time.
  • Develop a clear exist strategy to handover system to local authorities with proper sustainability framework in mind Share knowledge about solar technology with beneficiaries, including ministries such as MoPSE and MoEPD staff at all levels, promoting awareness about the benefits of renewable energy and its environmental impact.
 
Implementation Support
  • When necessary, Assist with the procurement of solar panels, inverters, batteries, and other necessary equipment.
  • Work with suppliers to ensure timely delivery and that the equipment meets quality standards.
  • Help manage the selection and performance of installation contractors.
  • Ensure that the contractor has the necessary expertise and meets quality standards.
  • Supervise the firm recruited for quality assurance missions for the solarization projects
  • Monitor installation and quality assurance work (including with the quality assurance firm) to ensure timely, safe, and high-quality installation.
  • Provide hands-on assistance and oversight during the installation phase. Ensure the work is being carried out according to the design and that the site is safe for installers. Perform spot checks to ensure quality control.
  • Manage logistical aspects of other counterparts' teams and the quality assurance firm that are required for certification of the solar powered systems.
  • Coordinate between beneficiaries, stakeholders, the contractors, and the quality assurance firm to avoid delays.
  • Once the system is installed, conduct thorough testing to ensure that it is performing as expected.
  • After the system is verified to be working correctly, support hand over the system to the beneficiaries.
  • Provide comprehensive documentation on how the system operates, including maintenance guidelines and troubleshooting steps.
 
Monitoring and Supervision
  • Development of a comprehensive quality control and monitoring plan, identifying all required information needed to be incorporated among the plan which enable efficient tracking, reporting and taking immediate correction actions
  • Continuously monitor the progress of the installation to ensure it is on schedule and within budget.Track milestones such as equipment delivery, installation, testing, and commissioning.
  • Supervise the work of the quality assurance firm that will be recruited to ensure compliance with safety standards, quality specifications, and adherence to the project timeline.
  • Ensure the installation is not disruptive to the facility's normal activities.
  • Receive regular quality control check reports from the quality assurance firm to ensure the system is being installed correctly and meets the required standards. Address any issues or deviations promptly to avoid project delays.
  • Use monitoring tools (e.g., online dashboards) to track the system’s performance, including energy generation, savings, and carbon footprint reduction.
  • Monitor the system for any operational issues post-installation.
  • Respond promptly to any issues such as low performance, panel malfunction, or integration problems.
  • Evaluate the impact of the solar system on the facilities’ energy usage, costs, and environmental footprint.
  • Provide regular reports to stakeholders, showcasing energy savings and sustainability outcomes.
  • Ensure program visits to solarized facilities using the beneficiary monitoring systems
 
Major tasks and deliverables:

 

Tasks/Milestone:

Deliverables/Outputs:

Payment Schedule to be paid when deliverables are met
  1. Development of an inception report, including methodology, template/format, and detailed work plan on how consultant intends to carry out the assignment.

Inception Report with detailed project plan (Gantt chart, WBS) including templates for energy needs assessments, Site feasibility and plans for stakeholder engagement and  risk assessment & mitigation

 

10 days 5%
  1. Energy Needs & Site Assessment Finalized

Site and needs assessment report detailing site feasibility, solar potential assessments and stakeholder mapping and environmental and social risk screening

 

20 days 10%
  1. Final Project Plan & Budget Approved

Project Plan with detailed implementation, risk management and resource and budget plans

30 days 15%
  1. Tender Package Finalized

Bidding documents (ToR with evaluation criteria, Technical specifications and Bill of Quantities)

 

15 days 7.5%
  1. Tender Launched

Q&A document for bidders

5 days 2.5%
  1.  Contractor Selected & Contract Signed

Bid evaluation report

 

20 days 10%
  1. Equipment Delivered to Sites

Site pre delivery reports, delivery notes and site equipment verification reports

30 days 15%

 
  1. Installation Completed

Installation reports per site with compliance & safety checklists

 

20 days 10%

 
  1. System Commissioned

Commissioning reports incluiding commissioning certificates.

Training completion reports for operators

  • Operation & maintenance manuals

20 days 10%

 

 
  1. Mid-Term Progress Review Conducted

Monitoring report containing Installation progress photos and Issue tracking logs

20 days

10%
  1. Final Project Review & Handover

Final performance report with user feedback,

Handover certificates, Lessons learned & sustainability plan

10 days

5%

Start Date: 1 August 2025

 

 

End date: 30 December 2026

 

Total Working Days: 200       days
       

 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

  • At least a Masters’ University Degree in engineering or a related field. A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with five additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

Work Experience: 

  • An advanced Technical Engineering degree with a specialization in Solar Power Systems/Renewable Energy or related.
  • Previous experience installing solar systems in schools or health facilities and/or communities is an added advantage.
  • Minimum of 5 years of professional work experience in conducting feasibility studies, designing, installing and operationalizing solar power systems.
  • The consultant must have worked on at least 2 solar potential assessment studies in buildings.
  • Documented knowledge on renewable energy systems.

Skills : 

  • Excellent report writing skills.
  • Computer literate.

Language Requirements: 

  • Fluency in English, verbal and written.

Desirables:

  • Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

The detailed consultancy terms of reference is downloadable via this linkDownload File Solarisation Renewable Energy Consultant - P&C revps.pdf

If interested and available to undertake the individual consultancy, please submit your application online and attach the required documents including the technical proposal and an all-inclusive financial proposal incorporating an approximate number of travel days for field (local) travel. 

Technical proposal: The Technical Proposal should articulate an understanding of the TOR and include the proposed Tasks/Milestones, Deliverables/Outputs, Timeline and level of effort by deliverable. The similar table provided in the TOR is indicative. Applicants may use the indicative table as a guide or deviate as per the proposed approach. The proposal should also cost-effectively propose the local travel proposed by the applicant to undertake the assignment.

Financial proposal: The Financial Proposal should include the costs (providing a daily rate as justification) for each task, including consultant fee, proposed travel costs and perdiem, communications costs and any other proposed cost.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

  To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

 

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