Technical Assistant in Power Networks

In view of the further development of its activities BTC is currently looking for a (m/f):

International Technical Assistant in Power Networks – RWANDA

For the project: “Improving access to reliable on-grid electricity services for households and priority public institutions” - Belgian contribution to EARP

Ref.: RWA/12/081-2

Location: Kigali. He/she will work in the offices of Energy and Water Sanitation Authority (EWSA) in central Kigali, with daily visits to the offices of EWSA in the selected pilot district. Duration of the contract: 48 months Probable starting date: April 2014 Monthly salary package: between 5.214,56 euro and 7.528,21 euro (this includes the gross monthly salary and the expat benefits: hardship allowance and expat allowance). The salary is calculated, depending on the composition of the family and the number of years of relevant experience.

Project: The Indicative Cooperation Program between Belgium and Rwanda allocates a total grant envelope of 55 million euro to the energy sector in Rwanda, split over four interventions: (i) geothermal energy development-, (ii) access to energy-, (iii) feed-in-tariff- and (iv) capacity building component. This vacancy is for the access to energy component that has a total Belgian contribution of 17 million EUR and a duration of 4 years.

The general objective of the project is the provision of sufficient, reliable and affordable energy for all Rwandans. The specific objective is to improve the access to reliable on-grid electricity services for households and priority public institutions in rural Rwanda. It should be regarded as the Belgian contribution to the nationwide Electricity Access Roll-out Program (EARP), the focus remaining on the electricity grid extension with the construction of new transmission and distribution lines connected to the national electricity network. In addition, the intervention will be involved in targeted strengthening of the existing network and in several other activities aiming at increasing the sustainability of the electrification program. With the support of technical assistance, the intervention will give a special attention to the respect of harmonized quality standards to increase the sustainability, quality and security of the new installations. Resources will also be allocated for adapted development and implementation of Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and Resettlement Allocation Plan (RAP). In order to improve operation and maintenance of the network infrastructure, several specific capacity building activities will be developed and supported. Last but not least solutions to support low-income beneficiaries to afford the electricity connection will be tested in the intervention area. The intervention will be executed in joint responsibility between the Rwandan Energy Agency (previously EWSA) and the Belgian Development Agency (BTC). For the project, the key members of the management unit are: • An EWSA appointed Director of Intervention (DI), acting as a sponsor and as an authorizing officer for the Rwandan side for all scope and technical matters, executed in joint responsibility. • An EWSA appointed Project Manager (PM), acting as a day-to-day project manager and project focal person. Given the DI regular tasks and responsibilities, it is anticipated that this intervention will need a full time manager accountable for EWSA, acting as a deputy Director of Intervention. • A BTC appointed Project Co-Manager, acting as contract manager and authorizing officer for the Belgian side for all administrative, procurement and financial matters executed in joint responsibility. • A BTC appointed Power network International Technical Assistant (ITA) in charge of assuring coherence with activities. This person will be acting as authorizing officer for the Belgian side for technical, content and quality matters. • A BTC appointed Responsible for Administration and Finance and Procurement (RAF), delegate for all administrative, procurement and financial matters executed in joint responsibility.

Function: The responsibilities of the ITA will include (but not necessarily be limited to) the following areas: • Provide strategic guidance to any sub-project of the EARP; • Provide technical input into the definition of the content of the activities; • Review the last update of planning and design and its coherence with the national electrification strategy; • Provide technical advice related to rural electrification; • Provide guidance and training through coaching and mentoring of the EARP technical staff in order to strengthen the local capacity together with SCBI experts within the sector; • Provide technical input into the preparation of terms of reference for the various studies and construction activities subcontracted and support the implementing agency to ensure their adequate implementation; • Support and provide technical advice for recruitment of specific technical international and national expertise required for the project implementation; • Ensure coherence and coordination of project strategies and activities for areas related to electrification; • Technically supervise the implementation of project activities in accordance with the approved work plans; • Lead the project activities related to harmonization of quality standards; • Accompany, support and guide the capacity need assessment for capacity building activities in the field of power network; • Implement defined strategies to increase electricity connectivity to reach agreed targeted beneficiaries in accordance with PSC priorities; • Ensure that new customers are well registered and automatically transferred in EWSA system; • Ensure that contractors are implementing activities in accordance with international standards and best practices for quality, sustainability and security.

Profile: • University degree in Electrical Engineering, or equivalent; • At least 10 years of experience in electricity grid infrastructures, preferably in an international environment is an advantage; • Proven experience in rural electrification projects, an experience in the region is an added advantage; • Proven expertise in MV and LV lines design and construction; • Proven expertise in power network international standards; • Solid understanding of capacity building principles, strategies and techniques and proven competences in knowledge transfer; • Strong managerial and supervisory skills, tact and negotiating skills; • Sound computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office products; • Excellent communication and report writing skills; • Sensitivity to socio-environmental issues; • Fluent in English, knowledge in French is an added value.

How to apply:

Interested?

Please apply no later than January 12th 2014, through our website www.btcctb.org. Use our Standard CV and a letter of motivation to apply. You can find the model of our Standard CV on the Jobs page of our website. If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at +32 (0)2/505 18 65.