🇸🇱 Job Vacancy @ GIZ Sierra Leone – Technical Advisor – Productive Use of Electricity (PUE)

Overview

The Energizing Development Programme Sierra Leone is an energy access programme with the objective of increasing access to affordable modern energy services in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. It is a global initiative in 26 countries that GIZ is implementing on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Donor countries are Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. EnDev has been active in Liberia since 2012; in 2014, the project activities were expanded to the neighbouring countries of Sierra Leone and Guinea. EnDev cooperates with government institutions, national and local non-governmental organization, donors, and the private sector.

In Sierra Leone, the programme consists of two components a) access to electricity through Pico PV, solar home systems and mini-grids and b) access to modern cooking systems through energy-efficient cookstoves, sustainable biomass production to avoid deforestation including efficient charcoal production. The present position will support all activities of component.

The position supports, advice, and partially manages; in particular:

• Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Key Team Lead (KTL) RE-Tech team from acquisition, planning, costing, procurement, through implementation to closure for technical and strategic issues.
• Collaborate with project stakeholders to define clear objectives and strategies for promoting productive use of electricity in off-grid communities.
• Support with administrative tasks in the absence of the RE-Tech team lead in solar related fields.
• Coordinate end users regarding solar items or possibly ICS and provide them with orientation and other technical training.
• Secure timeliness, respect to GIZ rules and discipline within the Endev Team.
• Prepare and submit periodic progress reports to project stakeholders, including findings, challenges, and recommendations.

The Technician performs the following tasks:

• Tasks

• Technical 

The Technical Advisor on PUE

• Collecting data on renewable energy systems for testing or research analysis.
• Conduct a thorough needs assessment to identify potential productive use activities suitable for the target communities.
• Assess the existing electricity infrastructure and recommend necessary upgrades or modifications.
• Research and assess appropriate technologies and equipment (e.g., machinery, appliances) for productive use.
• Provide recommendations on the selection and procurement of equipment.

• Supports and Training 

The Technical Advisor on PUE

• Analyse local markets to identify opportunities and challenges related to productive use of electricity.
• Evaluate the demand for electric-powered products and services within the target communities.
• Develop training programs and materials for local community members, entrepreneurs, and businesses on utilizing electricity for income-generating activities.
• Facilitate training workshops and knowledge transfer sessions.
• Establish and nurture partnerships with relevant organizations, government agencies, and local community leaders.
• Collaborate with financial institutions to facilitate access to financing options for electrification and productive use projects.
• Provide basic training package to end users or partners when the need arises.
• Provide technical assistance remotely.

• Monitoring and Evaluation

The Technical Advisor on PUE

• Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the impact of the initiative.
• Regularly collect and analyse data to track progress and make necessary adjustments.
• Keep track and take note of any known maintenance need.
• Provide technical specification to colleagues and procurement for buying of solar products and spear part.

• Other duties/additional tasks

The Technical Advisor on PUE

• assists other experts, if necessary, as translator
• Secure soft and Hard copy structures for relevant document in the absence of the RE-tech team lead
• Follow-up on all technical requests from EnDev partners as instructed by the KTL RE-Tech
• Continue with the filing system of both soft and Hard copy of Documents.
• performs other duties and tasks at the request of management.

• Deliverables:

• Needs assessment report.
• Market analysis report.
• Training materials and workshop reports.
• Technology assessment and equipment recommendations.
• Progress reports at regular intervals.
• Final project report summarizing achievements and recommendations.

• Required qualifications, competences, and experience.

Qualifications 

• A degree in a relevant field (e.g., electrical engineering, renewable energy, rural development).

Professional experience

• At least 1-2 years’ work experience in a comparable position with references

Other knowledge, additional competences

• ideally, a knowledge of Kerio, or the European language widely used in the country.
• sensitivity in handling and disposing of documents which may be important.
• Demonstrated experience in off-grid electrification, renewable energy, and productive use projects.
• Strong knowledge of local communities and cultural sensitivities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Project management and coordination experience.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• good working knowledge of ITC technologies (related software, phone, fax, email, the internet) and computer applications (e.g. MS Office, Access or other database programme)
• willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed – corresponding measures are agreed with management.

Mode of Application:

Suitable candidates are invited to apply not later than 06.10.2023 to the email address [email protected] . Only applicants shortlisted will be contacted for an interview.

GIZ-Sierra Leone is an equal-opportunity employer, and therefore women are strongly encouraged to apply.