TENDER NOTICE: Solar-Electrical Engineer Consultant (Retainer)

Job Description

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR SOLAR-ELECTRICAL ENGINEER CONSULTANT (RETAINER) TO SUPPORT THE ECRHS III BEmONC CONSTRUCTION WORKS

INTRODUCTION:

CARE is an international development organization fighting global poverty with a special focus on working with women and girls to bring sustainable changes to their communities. CARE aims to tackle the underlying causes of poverty and social injustice and to bring lasting changes to the lives of poor and vulnerable people.

Founded in 1945, today CARE works in over 90 countries around the globe. CARE has been working in Sierra Leone since 1961. Today, CARE focuses on empowering particularly marginalized and vulnerable women in Sierra Leone. 

CARE-SL with funds from the German Cooperation (KfW) and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) has been implementing the Epidemic Control and Reinforcement of Health Services (ECRHS) from 2015 (Phase I) to 2025 (Phase III). Phase I was a respond to the Ebola insurgent in the country, while Phase II emphasized post-Ebola intervention to support the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to strengthen the health systems. 

The aim of the of the Phase III program is gear toward strengthening the heath system that aligns with the Ministry of Health (MoH) plans to achieve universal health coverage that can reach all inhabitants of Sierra Leone, in addition to reducing mortality rates during childbirth, both for women and newborns, and for children under five years old. There are three (3) main outputs of the project. 

Output 1: Epidemic control system is in place and functional in the target districts (seven northern districts and one southern district)

Output 2: Access to reproductive health services in target districts of Sierra Leone improved.

Output 3: A well-functioning Basic Emergency Obstetric and New-born Care (BEmONC) Centre is constructed and running in Mambolo, Kambia

The current consultancy is focused specifically on the BEmONC construction component of ECRHS III.

1. BEmONC Construction: This includes the construction and installation of the BEmONC facility at Malambay community, Kambia District, including the solar power system, lighting system and associated general electrical installations.

The consultancy is therefore intended to provide focused technical supervision and quality assurance for the solar electrical works and associated general electrical installations for the BEmONC construction, from construction through testing, commissioning and relevant defects-period inspections.

CARE-SL is seeking a qualified Solar-Electrical Engineer to provide specialist technical supervision on a retainer/consultancy basis, with primary responsibility for the solar power system and associated electrical installations, while supporting the project team with general electrical engineering supervision for the BEmONC construction.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Design and Development:

• Review the BEmONC solar PV/electrical designs, drawings, specifications and method statements, and provide technical comments or recommendations as required.
• Undertake supervision, assessments and technical inspections during and at key stages of the BEmONC construction to verify that proposed and installed electrical systems are appropriate, safe and consistent with the approved design and specifications.
• Provide technical inputs on specifications and documentation for the solar power system and associated general electrical works, including cabling, distribution, lighting, earthing and related installations.
• Provide technical guidance on sequencing, installation and interfaces between the solar system and the building’s general electrical infrastructure.
• Supervise and provide technical direction to the contractor/electrical installers, including review of workmanship, materials and compliance with approved drawings and specifications.

2. Project Implementation:

• Supervise the installation, testing and commissioning of the solar power system, including associated generation, storage, control, distribution and protection components as applicable.
• Supervise the general electrical installation works for the BEmONC facility, including wiring, distribution boards, lighting, sockets, earthing/grounding and other related electrical installations.
• Verify compliance with applicable Sierra Leone requirements, approved project specifications, relevant electrical/solar standards, occupational health and safety requirements, and CARE/KfW quality expectations.
• Identify, document and advise on technical defects, non-conformities and installation challenges, and recommend practical corrective measures.

3. Technical Support:

• Provide specialist solar and electrical engineering advice to the Senior Project Advisor, Infrastructure & WASH and the wider project team throughout implementation.
• Provide technical briefings or on-the-job guidance to project/site personnel and contractors where necessary to improve installation quality, safety and compliance.

4. Quality Assurance:

• Verify the quality and completeness of electrical/solar works and support the project team to maintain the agreed construction schedule.
• Conduct site visits at agreed critical construction stages and as required by the project, including inspections for installation progress, testing, commissioning, snagging and defects-period follow-up.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in electrical/electronic engineering, Renewable Energy, or a closely related field.
• Experience: More than 10 years of relevant experience in solar energy and electrical engineering, including design review, construction supervision, installation, testing and commissioning.
• Certification: Registered member of an appropriate engineering professional body in Sierra Leone, where applicable.

SKILLS:

• Strong practical knowledge of solar PV systems designs, electrical installations, testing, commissioning and relevant safety requirements.
• Ability to review electrical/solar drawings and technical documentation; experience with AutoCAD, PVsyst or similar software is an advantage.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, site supervision and coordination skills, with ability to work effectively with contractors and project stakeholders.
• Ability to prepare clear technical observations, inspection reports and recommendations and to provide practical technical guidance to site personnel.

DELIVERABLES:

• Technical review notes, inspection reports and other relevant technical documentation.
• Reviewed/endorsed solar and electrical implementation details, including drawings, specifications, method statements and relevant technical submissions.
• Technical briefings and on-the-job guidance for project/site personnel and contractors, as required.
• Periodic progress updates and site supervision reports documenting key findings, actions and recommendations.
• Inspection and technical certification/support for testing, commissioning, completion, snagging and defects-period works, as applicable.
• Follow-up and closure of technical comments, defects and non-conformities related to solar and general electrical works.
• Other closely related solar/electrical engineering services reasonably required to ensure safe, compliant and quality completion of the BEmONC works.

MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION:

The Solar-Electrical Engineer (Retainer) will be engaged on a call-off/retainer basis and will work closely with CARE-SL for the following:

• Agree and sign the consultancy/service agreement and related contractual documents.
• The Consultant will provide their own professional tools, personal protective equipment and other routine work equipment required to deliver the assignment, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
• CARE-SL will provide agreed logistical support, i.e., vehicle movement for field/site visits where applicable.
• Review and finalize the Terms of Reference and agree the scope and call-off arrangements for the consultancy.
• Agree the technical approach, frequency of site visits and priority construction stages requiring specialist supervision.
• Provide and review the relevant BEmONC drawings, specifications, BoQs, contractor submissions, work programme and other documents required for the assignment.
• Coordinate site visits, technical meetings and inspections in line with the construction programme and identified technical needs.
• Finalize a practical delivery/call-off plan with the Senior Project Advisor, Infrastructure & WASH.
• The Senior Project Advisor, Infrastructure & WASH will coordinate and evaluated the assignment and provide relevant progress updates to CARE management and the donor, as required.

COMPENSATION OF CONSULTANCY

The consultant will be engaged on a consultancy/retainer basis for an initial period of six (6) months, with the possibility of extension for a further six (6) months, subject to project needs, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

• The consultancy will operate on a call-off basis, with specific assignments and deliverables agreed according to the BEmONC construction programme and technical needs.
• Payment will be based on the agreed daily consultancy rate and verified days/outputs delivered, accumulated and invoiced in accordance with the agreed service agreement and CARE payment procedures.
• All payments will be made in local currency (SLE) in accordance with the applicable service agreement and CARE policies.
• Applicable taxes and statutory deductions will be handled in accordance with Sierra Leonean law and CARE’s applicable procedures.
• Payment will be made following satisfactory completion of the agreed deliverables/services, upon receipt and approval of the consultant’s invoice and supporting documentation, in accordance with CARE’s payment policies and the service agreement.

CONFIDENTIALITY

All materials and data furnished by or on behalf of CARE Sierra Leone in connection with these Terms of reference, materials created or produced shall be treated as confidential information. The Solar Engineer (Retainer) shall not, during the continuance of these Terms of Reference or at any time thereafter, disclose to any person any confidential information.

PREVENTING SEXUAL EXPLOITATION, ABUSE AND HARASSMENT

CARE has a zero tolerance on sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse. CARE-SL takes seriously all concerns and complaints about sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse involving CARE Employees and Related Personnel.  CARE will initiate rigorous investigations of complaints that indicate a possible violation of this policy and will take appropriate disciplinary action, as warranted. Consultant to sign off the PSHEA policy.

RIGHTS TO COPYRIGHT

The Copyright of the content and materials produced for this assignment shall be the absolute property of CARE Sierra Leone and ownership shall automatically vest in MOHS. The consultant irrevocably and unconditionally waives in favour of CARE Sierra Leone moral rights that may exist in any of the works or materials, provided that CARE Sierra Leone uses all reasonable endeavours to ensure that the consultant is credited in all appropriate uses of a photograph provided as part of the service, provided that MOHS and CARE Sierra Leone shall not be in breach of contract if credit(s) are accidentally omitted.

Proposed Format for Assignment Outputs:

• Electronic copies of all inspection forms, reports, technical observations and related documentation.
• PDF copies of final reports and relevant technical submissions.
• CAD/PDF versions of relevant reviewed or produced electrical/solar drawings, as applicable, including as-built documentation where required.