Consultant for technical support in Solar Water Heaters pilot identification, analysis, and pilot implementation

Result of Service 2. Objective.

The transition to low-emission and resilient economic development is a global priority for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The main objective of UNEP is to strengthen countries’ capacity to identify and implement adaptation and mitigation measures intended at decreasing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at all levels. UNEP ROLAC oversees the implementation of the Solar Water Heater Market Development in Panama aiming to support national efforts to establish the market for solar thermal heating systems and promote cost-effective CO2 measures, through capacity building, institutional strengthening and technology demonstration.

One main barrier to adoption of SWH technology is the lack of easy access dimensioning tools for solar thermal systems. In order to achieve a prosperous market development, the objective of this consultancy is to develop and implement a calculation tool that allows any interested party to assess the technical-economic viability of a solar thermal system and connect him with available local technology suppliers. The tool will also serve as a reference for different banks to develop or offer specific credit lines.

Technical workshops on the calculation tool operation and support maintenance to the different project stakeholders will be organized as part of the consultant tasks.

The consultant is expected to the development of the following core activity:

Development of a web platform for the sizing of solar water heating systems in Panama

The consultant will be responsible for: - Collection and processing of the data necessary for the development of the dimensioning tool. - Development of a sizing tool with the flow and requirements described in the ANNEX I - Implementation of the sizing tool into the Termosolar project website : www.termosolar.com - Attend meetings, calls, and guidelines provided by the UNEP Project Manager - Meet the deadlines set by the regional coordinator - Development of technical manual for users of the sizing tool. - Presentation of the tool in different webinars and meetings - Not divulging information derived from or linked to this consultancy, unless expressly authorized by UNEP

Outputs

Development of one (1) web platform for solar water heating system sizing and dimensioning; Product No. 1: A consulting execution plan: activities required for each phase of the consultancy and scheduled of activities adjusted to the dates estimated in this contract. Workplan for the design and implementation of calculation tool Product No. 2: General report on the design of the calculation tool user interface and program flow sheet for domestic solar water heating systems. Product No. 3: General report of the user interface design of the calculation tool and the program flowchart for the service and industrial sector. Product No. 4: General report on the design of the user interface of the calculation tool, program flow sheet and calculation tool implemented on the websites. Product No. 5: Workshop report incorporating the recommendations suggested on the use and support of calculation tool for stakeholders Product No. 6: Report on calculation tool implementation Product No. 7: Report on the workshop on the presentation of the calculation tool

Work Location HOME-BASED

Expected duration 5 MONTHS

Duties and Responsibilities 1. Purpose.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (ROLAC), located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region, including 16 small island developing States, with a population of approximately 588 million people. The office works to meet the needs of the region and its activities are integrated into the programmes of work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly of UNEP.

The consultant for technical support in the identification, analysis and implementation of Solar Water Heaters (SWH) pilot projects will be in charge of designing and implementing a web-based solar thermal calculation tool (taking into account experimental data of thermal performance of solar collectors and solar systems according to international standards) with the features described in ANNEX I. The calculation tool will be implemented on the project web site www.termosolarpanama.com and will also have a link from the Secretaria Nacional de Energia (SNE) web site: www.energia.gob.pa.

The consultant will be supervised by the UNEP Regional Coordinator for Climate Change and will work from home.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: - Advanced University degree (Master) in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering Thermal engineering, Environmental Engineering, Software Engineering, Industrial engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physicist or other field related engineering is required.

Experience: - At least 3 years of professional experience in automation of solar water heating systems or related technologies in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors is desirable. - At least 3 years of documented experience in open-source digital solutions development and technology project management. - Experience working in developing technology architectures for banking security, smart cities and mobility is desirable. - Previous experience working on international projects is desirable. - Excellent communication skills in Spanish and English, both written and spoken, and ability to work as part of a team. - Previous experience in software development in the energy field is desirable. - Previous experience in developing similar software for solar thermal system sizing is desirable.

Language: - Fluency in Spanish and English is required

Skills: - Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards; - Mature judgment and initiative; - Ability to think out-of-the-box; - Ability to present complex issues in simple and clear manner; - Ability to work under pressure and deliver high quality results on time; - Initiative and independence - Good communication and organizational skills, with demonstrated evidence of capacity to produce and present good reports. - Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish; - Adequate computer literacy. - Analytic capacity and demonstrated ability to process, analyze and synthesize complex technical information; - Adaptability and flexibility in working within complex and dynamic environment

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.