[HIRING]-Renewable Energy Technical Specialist

General Position Summary 

The new Renewable Energy Technical Specialist (RETS) will join two existing RETS to form part of the NZMATES Team, based at Mercy Corps Indonesia’s office in Ambon and travel to programme locations in Seram and surrounding locations. As part of a multi-disciplinary team, this RETS will lead engineering tasks and technical assessments, and will work closely with the other RETS.

This role will be responsible for leading tendering and engineering processes (e.g. detailed engineering, producing bills of materials, drawings, and layouts), technical assessments for potential renewable energy projects, mainly mini- and small-hydro and/or solar PV and storage technologies (e.g. design, engineering, feasibility studies, budgeting, and modelling), and contribute to providing project delivery support with external stakeholders (e.g. supervision, training materials, commissioning good practices, etc.).

This RETS will also support assessments such as scoping potential RE project sites, assessing available RE resource potential, and conducting techno-economic studies from project identification phase (e.g. scoping, pre-design, cost estimates, and pre-feasibility studies), mainly for solar PV mini-grids, hybridisation of diesel-based generation, and grid-connected projects. All three RETS are expected to contribute to engagement with different stakeholders involved in the RE project development cycle,

and liaise with key technical partners for potential collaboration, and coordination of roles and responsibilities. In particular, the RETS will support and work directly with PLN and ESDM staff on potential projects, and engage with private sector entities and/or communities in developing RE technical project proposals as necessary. The RETS’ tasks will also include supporting the development of practical and technical long-term sustainable business model considerations for RE projects to ensure their financial, technical, and operational sustainability. The RETS will also contribute to community engagement and consultation processes.

The RETS will also be involved in mentoring of other staff less familiar with renewable energy technologies and programmes. It should be noted that while the RETS will be responsible for a wide range of technical areas, the role will be supplemented with technical engineering support, from within Infratec or externally, where required at key stages during the programme. The RETS is also expected to closely engage with the NZMATES Community Engagement Officers for support in data gathering, and also to incorporate aspects of social assessments and considerations into the projects’ technical aspects.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Lead and carry out technical studies for grid-connected and off-grid renewable energy projects (e.g. technical feasibility studies, renewable energy assessments, design and modelling of RE projects, detailed engineering of RE projects, grid interconnection studies, etc.);

• Support the delivery of renewable energy solutions for programme partners (PLN and ESDM) as required through research, developing tools, methodologies, processes, and procedures for selecting technologies, types of technical solutions, design criteria, evaluation of different technologies, and multi-criteria analysis, among others, preferably on solar PV technologies;

• Design of project delivery methodology and schedule, from conceptual design and detailed engineering to implementation and operation maintenance.

• Support the identification of technical needs or potential technical specialists in PLN and ESDM Dinas regarding renewable energy project development and work collaboratively with them;

• Support other RETS to identify, assess potential, and appraise potential grid-connected and off-grid renewable energy projects, mainly solar PV and storage technologies;

• Consider and incorporate sustainability and cross-cutting issues into technical work;

• Support PLN, ESDM Dinas, private sector, and/or communities in developing RE project proposals;

• Develop, assess, consider, long-term sustainable business models for RE projects, including financial and operational sustainability;

• Work closely with the Community Engagement Officers to incorporate community inputs and other considerations into the technical design of projects;

• Mentoring and on-site training of community, ESDM, and PLN staff during field or other assessments;

• Support, collaborate, and train/exchange (when necessary) Community Engagement Officer(s) and the other RETS with a structured gap assessment and identification of specific training opportunities.

Knowledge and Experience

• University degree in electrical or mechanical engineering, renewable energy technologies, or similar;

• At least 5 years’ experience in designing and delivering renewable energy projects, preferably solar PV and storage technologies.

• Experience conducting feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, and/or other technical studies in the renewable energy field;

• Renewable energy and energy storage technology experience – one or more of the following:

  • Experience using solar PV design and modelling software/tools (e.g. PVSyst, SolarGIS, Meteonorm, Sunny Design);

  • Experience using renewable energy and energy storage modelling and design software (e.g. HOMER Pro®, RETScreen, iHOGA, DER-CAM, Excel-based tools, or others);

• Experience using drawing software (e.g. AutoCAD, Sketch-Up, Draft Sight);

• Experience in developing bill of materials for renewable energy projects;

• Experience in developing tendering documentation, detailed design and engineering, and with supporting entities as owners engineer is desirable ;

• Knowledge of renewable energy financial analysis tools (e.g. SAM), using pricing or estimation techniques or software (e.g. Pronamics, Excel, other tools), and developing RE project budgets;

• Some knowledge of conceptual or detailed design of LV and HV network installations will be advantageous;

• Practical, hands-on experience working in energy access and/or renewable energy programmes;

• Ability to foster positive and effective working relationships with variety of stakeholders;

• Strong communications skills and experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team;

• Experience working in Maluku province and understanding of local context will be highly valued;

• English language skills an advantage;

• Ability to take initiative, to anticipate and solve problems, meet deadlines, work under pressure, work independently on multiple tasks with limited supervision, and work cooperatively with team members and partners;

• Ability to be flexible, open-minded, and creative;

• Willingness to spend significant time in field locations with limited access to commodities.

• Women and people from Maluku are especially encouraged to apply for this position.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps Indonesia is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps Indonesia is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps Indonesia team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.

How to Apply

Click Apply for this position to complete the application form and fill in the position code: 006-RETS-NZMATES.

The vacancy will be closed on 20 November 2023 and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. We look forward to hearing from those who are interested in taking this opportunity to grow and develop with us.

Thank You,
Human Resources Department 
Mercy Corps Indonesia

Click here to view the job advertisement on the Mercy Corps website.