Renewable Energy Technical Specialist (RETS) - NZMATES (Ambon)

Program Summary

The New Zealand – Maluku Access to Renewable Energy Support  (NZMATES) program aims to accelerate renewable energy (RE) development to improve access to energy on Seram and surrounding islands in Maluku province. The five-year program is funded by the New Zealand Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is implemented by renewable energy company Infratec Ltd. in partnership with Mercy Corps Indonesia. NZMATES is working towards promoting and accelerating the identification of renewable energy projects and increases their attractiveness and viability, social and environmental assessments, technical considerations, and triggering and facilitating investment and funding from government, private sector, or other donors. NZMATES has partnered and collaborates closely with PLN, EBTKE, Dinas ESDM, and BAPPEDA on increasing the use of renewables and improving energy access through grid-connected and off-grid RE projects. The NZMATES Team is based in Ambon and provides support to fill gaps in knowledge, resources, and research and that projects are aligned with the Government of Indonesia and community development framework and objectives. The proposed support for RE projects include assistance with project identification and appraisal, technical and social assessments, finance matching, and project design to strengthen long-term sustainability. NZMATES is also intended to enhance local public and private sector capacity and offer opportunities for direct training, technical exchange programs, and interaction between Maluku educational institutions and NZ renewable energy specialists.

 

General Position Summary

The temporary Renewable Energy Technical Specialist (RETS) will join an existing renewable energy team, based at Mercy Corps Indonesia’s office in Ambon and travel to programme locations in remote areas of Maluku province. As part of a multi-disciplinary team, this RETS will support with engineering tasks and technical assessments, and will work closely with the other RETS. This role will be responsible for supporting field trips, leading tendering and engineering processes (e.g. detailed engineering, producing bills of materials, drawings and layouts), technical assessments for potential renewable energy projects, mainly mini- and small-hydro and/or solar PV and storage technologies (e.g. design, engineering, feasibility studies, budgeting, and modeling), and contribute to providing project delivery support with external stakeholders (e.g. supervision, training materials, commissioning good practices, etc.). This RETS will also support assessments such as scoping potential renewable energy project sites, assessing available RE resource potential and conducting techno-economic studies from project identification phase (e.g. scoping, pre-design, cost estimates, and pre-feasibility studies), mainly for solar PV mini-grids, small hydro projects, hybridization of diesel-based generation, and grid-connected projects.

The RETS will be expected to contribute to engagement with different stakeholders involved in the RE project development cycle, and liaise with key technical partners for potential collaboration, and coordination of roles and responsibilities. In particular, the temporary RETS will also support and work directly with PLN and ESDM staff on potential projects and engage with private sector entities and/or communities in developing RE technical project proposals as necessary. The RETS will also contribute to community engagement and consultation processes.

The RETS will also be involved in mentoring other staff less familiar with renewable energy technologies and programs. It should be noted that while the RETS will be responsible for a wide range of technical areas, the role will be supplemented with technical engineering support, from within Infratec or externally, where required at key stages during the program. The RETS is also expected to closely engage with the NZMATES Community Engagement Officers for support in data gathering, and also to incorporate aspects of social assessments and considerations into the projects’ technical aspects.. 

This is a full-time, temporary position. The initial contract will be for 6 months, with the possibility of extension or conversion into a permanent role, subject to need and funding availability..

Qualification:

•  University degree in electrical engineering, renewable energy technologies, and/or similar
• >7 – 10 years’ experience in designing and delivering renewable energy projects, preferably solar PV and storage technologies or hydropower technologies;
• Experience conducting engineering designs, modeling, feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, and/or other technical studies in the renewable energy field;
• Renewable energy and energy storage technology experience (at least one or two of the below are mandatory): 
• Experience using renewable energy and energy storage modeling and design software (e.g. HOMER Pro®, RETScreen, iHOGA, DER-CAM, Excel-based tools, or others);
• Experience using solar PV design and modeling software/tools (e.g. PVSyst, SolarGIS, Meteonorm, Sunny Design); and/or
• Experience using GIS tools and hydropower modeling software/tools (e.g. Casimir, PEACH, Hydrohelp, others)..
• Experience using drawing software (e.g. AutoCAD, Sketch-Up, Draft Sight);
• Experience in developing bill of materials for renewable energy projects;
• Experience in developing tendering documentation, detailed design, and engineering, and with supporting entities as owners engineer is desirable ; 
• Knowledge of renewable energy financial analysis tools (e.g. SAM), using pricing or estimation techniques or software (e.g. Pronamics, Excel, other tools), and developing RE project budgets;
• Some knowledge of the conceptual or detailed design of LV and HV network installations will be advantageous;
• Practical, hands-on experience working in energy access and/or renewable energy programs;
•  Ability to foster positive and effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders;
• Strong communications skills and experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
• Experience working in Maluku province and understanding of local context will be highly valued;
• English language skills;
• Ability to take initiative, to anticipate and solve problems, meet deadlines, work under pressure, work independently on multiple tasks with limited supervision, and work cooperatively with team members and partners;
• Ability to be flexible, open-minded, and creative;
• Willingness to spend significant time in field locations with limited access to commodities;
•  Women and people from Maluku are especially encouraged to apply for this position..

Please check this link to download the position description: Renewable Energy Technical Specialist PD

Please send your CV together with the MCI form (link) and position applied on the email subject to hrd@id.mercycorps.org 

The vacancy will be closed 29 September 2019 and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

We look forward to hearing from those who are interested in taking this opportunity to grow and develop with us.