International Solar Energy Consultant (Band Level "B")

Off-site consultancy with frequent travel according to the implementation plan

Purpose of the Consultancy The consultant will conduct comprehensive energy assessments and provide technical advice for planning, designing, procuring, installing and commissioning solar energy systems in targeted health facilities across Sudan. The objective is to provide sustainable, reliable and climate-resilient energy solutions that improve the continuity and quality of essential health services. The work will involve and address: • Existing electricity systems, including the national grid, diesel generators and solar installations, electrical wiring and building conditions • Assessments of energy-health needs, energy requirements for medical equipment, appliances, water systems and other facility services. • Design of solar energy solutions, solar photovoltaic systems, batteries, inverters and related infrastructure. • Development of techno-economic analyses, technical specifications, bills of quantities and procurement documents, answering suppliers queries, participate in technical and financial evaluations. • Monitoring and quality control of solar system installation, guidelines on operation and maintenance • Training for facility staff and contractors. • Environmental and social safeguards, including requirements of the World Bank and African Development Bank.

Background and Rationale Sudan’s health system is severely strained by conflict, displacement, outbreaks, economic instability and disasters. Sustainable energy is essential to strengthen health-service delivery and resilience. Reliable electricity powers lifesaving equipment, including incubators and laboratory devices. It is also needed for vaccine cold chains, lighting, water, ventilation, communication and telemedicine. Decentralized solar systems can provide clean, affordable and dependable power to underserved facilities. Advances in solar and battery technologies make these systems increasingly viable and rapidly deployable. Solar energy can reduce reliance on diesel and improve the climate resilience of health facilities. WHO plans to support electrification through the SHARE and SHIEP projects in Sudan. The consultancy will assess energy, water and medical-device needs across hospitals, laboratories, blood centres and primary-care facilities. This will initially focus on 10 supported hospitals, 10 PHLs / 10 BTCs under SHARE, 20 hospitals and 25 PHCs under SHAPE projects, a summary of the facilities is attached as an annex.

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 external stakeholders under guidance of WHO.

Work to be performed In particular, the international consultant is expected to deliver the below outputs.

Output 1: Energy data collection The consultant will coach field investigators and ensure the quality of primary data collection at the identified facilities. Deliverable 1: The consultant must 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 analyses 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 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: Installation monitoring and evaluation 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, using remote monitoring platforms and visualization dashboards where appropriate to ensuring 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 international consultant will submit to WHO detailed monthly progress reports and a final consultancy report summarizing achievements, challenges, and recommendations.

Technical Supervision

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The selected international consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager and the overall guidance of the Head of Mission.

Specific requirements

- Education:

Essential: Advanced university degree (Master

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Added 2 days ago - Updated 39 minutes ago - Source: who.int