National Solar Energy Consultant - NO-C Level

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Qualifications

Purpose of the Consultancy 
Conduct comprehensive energy assessments in targeted Sudanese health facilities. Provide technical advice on planning, designing and installing solar energy systems. Develop sustainable, reliable and climate-resilient energy solutions to improve health services. Assess energy needs, electrical wiring, building conditions and other solar-electrification requirements.
Prepare techno-economic analyses, designs, bills of quantities, specifications and tender documents. Support procurement, installation monitoring, quality control, operation, maintenance and coordination with related sectors.

Background and Rationale
Sudan faces major public health emergencies caused by conflict, displacement, outbreaks, economic instability and disasters. These crises place severe pressure on the country’s health system. Sustainable energy solutions are needed to strengthen health-service delivery and resilience. Reliable electricity is essential for lifesaving medical equipment and health interventions. It supports incubators and other maternal and newborn-care services. Electricity is required for vaccine refrigerators and freezers to maintain the cold chain. 
Laboratories depend on power for centrifuges, microscopes, sterilizers and other equipment. Health facilities also need electricity for lighting, clean water, ventilation, heating and cooling. Power enables communication, telemedicine, remote care and longer operating hours.
Decentralized solar systems can provide clean, affordable and reliable electricity.
Solar technology and battery improvements have made these systems viable and rapidly deployable.
Solar power can reduce dependence on diesel fuel and strengthen climate resilience.
It can help create greener and more climate-friendly health facilities.

WHO seeks to recruit a national solar-energy consultant to support health-facility electrification.

The work will be implemented under the SHARE and SHIEP projects in Sudan.
The consultancy will assess energy needs and distinguish critical from non-critical requirements. It will also assess water supply systems and power-dependent medical devices.

The initial target is 10 hospitals, 10 laboratories, 10 blood centers, 20 hospitals and 25 PHCs.

Scope of work, responsibilities and description of the proposed work:
The task involves coordination and collaboration with different department within WHO and coordination and follow up with the contracted solar energy company including data collection and analysis in addition to generating technical reports. The selected company may need to interact also with other external stakeholders under guidance of WHO.

Work to be performed
    

In particular, the national consultant is expected to deliver the below outputs.

  Output 1: Energy related data gathering 
The consultant will coach field investigators and ensure the quality of primary data collection and analysis conducted at the identified facilities. 
 Deliverable 1: 
Prepare a detailed report and Excel database covering:
Primary data/information collection and analysis at health-care facility level in the identified priority health-care facilities. 
 Deliverable 1.1: 
Review and present qualitative and quantitative baseline of the situation on:
•    Existing energy systems and their operational status.
•    Facility layouts, buildings and electricity availability in each building.
•    Inventories and conditions of medical equipment and appliances.
•    Electrical wiring and infrastructure.
•    Facility infrastructure and suitability for solar-panel installation.
•    Water-supply systems.
•    Road access, mounting options and space for batteries and inverters.
•    Requirements for wiring renovation, replacement or expansion.
•    Photographs of relevant infrastructure and systems.
Data collection may be supported by an online tool.

Output 2: Energy-health needs assessments

Deliverable 2: 
The consultant will conduct or supervise an energy-health needs assessment for each facility.
 Deliverable 2.1: 
Prepare an assessment report and Excel file. The assessment will include:
•    Evaluate existing energy systems and identify gaps and challenges.
•   Estimate current and future electricity demand, include requirements for water pumping and purification, internet connectivity and other relevant services.
•    Classify requirements as critical or non-critical.
•    Inventory medical equipment and assess functionality and compare equipment availability with Ministry of Health guidelines.
•    Document health services, operating hours and catchment populations.
•    Assess electricity needs for staff housing separately from health-service areas.
•    Identify internal wiring interventions.
•    Record functioning and non-functioning power-dependent devices, and identify devices and appliances that need to be installed.
•    Consider the equipment and services expected for each type of facility according to the Ministry guidelines.
•    Prioritize departments or units as resources cannot cover the entire hospital.
 Deliverable 2.2: 
The consultant will also calculate estimated typical and aggregated energy consumption at facility, unit and department levels.

Output 3: Technical and economic design

Deliverable 3.1: 
For each facility, the consultant will develop techno-economic analysis and solar-system designs, including:
•    Assumptions, calculations and single-line diagrams.
•    Solar PV and battery-system configurations, sizes and locations, intervention needed on building, and related cost estimates.
•    Assumptions for energy efficiency and suitability of electrical medical devices and appliances  for the calculations.
•    Solar solutions for both critical and non-critical needs.
•    Wiring designs involve refurbishing, substitution and other interventions and safety interventions.
•    Assessment of necessary construction interventions to install the solar equipment on the roof or in the battery site or security fencing.

Deliverable 3.2: 
Prepare cost estimates for solar systems, wiring, equipment and water systems, long-term operation and maintenance.

Deliverable 3.3: 
Prepare technical specifications and bills of quantities for panels, batteries, inverters, wiring and associated components, to be aligned with WHO guidance, local regulations and high safety standards.
 

Output 4: Procurement support
The consultant will provide technical advice for procurement of related equipment of the solar system.  

Deliverable 4.1: 
Prepare terms of reference and technical documentation for solar systems, wiring and related equipment. This includes technical specifications, scopes of work and proposed evaluation criteria.
The national consultant will advise WHO procurement teams on the most suitable procurement approach, including whether procurement should be:
•    Global, regional or country-level.
•    Conducted through WHO or partner long-term agreements.
•    Inclusive of long-term operation and maintenance or not.
•    Inclusive of site-readiness assessments by installers or not.
The international consultant will also liaise and facilitate coordination with other possible power-dependent equipment interventions, such as water supply or medical devices.
 Deliverable 4.2: 
Support the procurement team in providing clarifications on technical questions from bidders during bidding process on any of technical specifications; 
Deliverable 4.3: 
provide recommendations  in-country equipment distribution and logistics arrangements.
 Deliverable 4.4: 
propose the most suitable long-term operation and maintenance model for Sudan, with estimated costs.

Output 5: Provide  monitoring and evaluation of solar energy system installation:

Deliverable 5.1: 
•    Conduct orientation sessions for contractors and facility staff on safeguard compliance.
•    Train staff to oversee the installation and commissioning of systems to ensure quality control and safety standards.
•    Develop inspection and commissioning checklists.
•    Reviewing technical submittals, shop drawings and testing procedures.
•    Supporting compliance with contract terms, schedules, quality and safety standards.
•  Monitoring progress and documenting variations or implementation problems, through remote monitoring platforms and visualization dashboards where appropriate to ensure integration of social and environmental safeguards requirements of funding agencies including World Bank and African development Bank  
•    Training facility staff on system operation and maintenance with the installer.
 Deliverable 5.2: 
•    Coordinating the preparation and distribution of user manuals and maintenance guides.
•    Ensuring that all inspection snag-list items are resolved.
•    Providing technical input for verification of supplier payment requests.
•    Supporting other energy-resilience tasks requested by WHO.
•  The national consultant will submit to WHO detailed monthly progress reports and a final consultancy report summarizing achievements, challenges, and recommendations.

Technical Supervision
The selected national consultant will work under the supervision of Project manager and overall guidance of Head of mission:
 

Specific requirements

Essential: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Renewable Energy, or a related field.
Desirable: Advanced university degree or specialization with focus on renewable energy systems.
 

Experience required:

Essential

•     At least 5 years of relevant experience in solar energy systems of similar sizes, preferably in low-income countries.
•     Proven expertise in preparing technical documents for the tendering process and supervising solar energy projects of similar size.

Desirable 
•     Experience working on solar electrification of health-care facilities and hospitals. 
•     Experience with WHO, other UN agencies, or national development organizations.
•     Knowledge of climate-resilient energy practices and technologies.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

•     Communicates clearly, listens actively, and shares information effectively.
•     Ability to deliver high-quality results, and achieves outcomes.
•     Handles pressure well and learns from feedback.
•     High skills in report writing.
•     Knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications.

Language requirements:
Fluent knowledge of English.

 Place of assignment
The national consultant will work in Khartoum, Sudan with frequent travel to states.

Medical clearance
The selected national consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel
The national consultant is expected to frequently travel according to the implementation plan.
 

Annex 1: List of Targeted Health Facilities For SHARE project
 

Annex 2: List of Targeted Health Facilities For SHIEP project:
 

Hospitals Information:

PHC Information