Renewable Energy/Photovoltaic Expert

Volunteering Environment Engineering

Overview

Support the design and installation of photovoltaic systems in DRC.

You have:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in renewable energy projects.
• Experience with photovoltaic systems installation and supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct site visits and inspections.
• Ability to work in harsh environments and challenging conditions.
• Fluency in French is mandatory; proficiency in other local languages is a plus.
• Strong communication skills to interact with diverse stakeholders.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Assignment is non-family (GOMA)

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Engineer (CE) the duties of the Renewable Energy/ Photovoltaic Expert will include but are not limited to the following:

• Supporting the design, purchase and installation of the first PV systems as an easily replicable model; • Supervising the installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems SMA systems, remote monitoring systems, etc • Conducting site visits and inspections at project implementation sites during various implementation stages. • Establish and implement quality control of PV products and installation of projects receiving in line with codes, standards, and the technical guideline provided by the project including the required inspections and tests at the commissioning stage; • Monitoring of the annual performance of the PV investments supported by the project and analyzing the results, including interaction with the grid and other conventional systems when applicable; • Working with the project’s technical team to evaluate the technical installation and operation of grid connected small scale PV systems; • Preparing technical evaluation and maintenance reports for PV systems; • Participating in any necessary PV projects evaluations and presentations inside Engineering Section and with other stakeholders and management; • Analyzing and proposing other renewable energy project and systems to be installed within the mission area; • Planning and coordinating installations of solar farm and PV systems and ensure conformance to national and international standard; • Supervise solar installer’s team during the projects to ensure compliance with safety standards; • Testing, commissioning and assess system performance or functionality at the system, subsystem, and components; • Supervising the monitoring of the And Performing any additional tasks as required by Chief Engineer.

• Integrity and professionalism;
• Planning and organizing;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity and Gender;
• Communication;

• Communication.

  civil engineering and renewable energy

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa, and as a result is quite diverse. Living conditions therefore vary between MONUSCO duty stations, with all usual amenities present in the capital Kinshasa, but only very basic conditions in remote duty stations in the provinces, where, for instance, there may be no guarantee of public power supply nor running water. The ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential. Accommodation is very expensive in both Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Bukavu, Kisangani), but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative. All MONUSCO duty stations are considered non-family duty stations, except for Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Entebbe which are now considered family duty stations, and most are currently under UN Security Phase III (“relocation phase”: internationally-recruited staff are temporarily concentrated or relocated to specified sites/locations). In addition to insecurity related to the relatively volatile political situation as well as various conflict situations, certain places are subject to increasing street and residential crime, including in Kinshasa and Goma. Some degree of medical service is provided in all MONUSCO duty stations. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for MONUSCO personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other incoming persons. It is possible for incoming MONUSCO personnel, including UN Volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations, though this is unlikely. All UN Volunteers must ensure that they are up-to-date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the DRC, and it is therefore recommended to take prophylaxis. The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange traveller’s checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels only in Kinshasa. In larger towns and cities (e.g. Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani), UN Volunteers are recommended to open US Dollar bank accounts, while in other places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and VLA payments will be processed in cash. UN Volunteers have the possibility to send part of their allowances to a bank account abroad. In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org