CHINA RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT PHOTOVOLTAIC MARKET DEVELOPMENT COMPONENT TERMS OF REFERENCE BOOKKEEPER BACKGROUND The China Renewable Energy Development Project (REDP) aims to establish sustainable markets for wind and PV technologies, in order to supply electricity in an environmentally sustainable way and increase access of isolated rural populations to electricity services. The project consists of: (a) Wind Farms: Installation and operation of 20 MW of grid-connected windfarms in Shanghai province; (b) PV Market Development: Supply of about 10 MW of photovoltaic (PV) systems to households and institutions in remote areas of six Northwestern provinces of Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xinjiang and Xizang; and (c) Technology Improvement: Support for technology upgrading to improve the performance and reduce the costs of solar PV technologies in China. Institutional strengthening is an integral part of the project, to remove barriers to market development and commercialization of the technologies. More information on the project can be found at http://setc-gef.newenergy.org.cn. The long term objectives of the project will seek to reduce the barriers to commercial renewable energy development in China, and through competition and large scale demonstration, bring down future supply costs for two promising technologies (wind and solar PV) allowing further commercial development of these technologies in other parts of China. The market for wind power will be promoted by developing and demonstrating a framework for large-scale windfarms by independent power producers. For the solar PV and TI components, the demand for products will be promoted by helping to improve product quality, and strengthening the business capabilities of companies providing PV products and service. The State Economic and Trade Commission (SETC) is the implementation agency for the PV Market Development and Technology Improvement (TI) Components of the project. A project management office (PMO) has been set up within the SETC to manage implementation of these two components. Figure 1 gives the proposed organization structure of the PMO. The Photovoltaic (PV) Market Development Component aims to improve the quality of PV products and after-sales service used for household electrification, expand the market, and ultimately reduce the cost of PV systems. It includes three main sub-components as summarized below: 1
Investment Sub-Component: Grants will be provided to PV companies. The companies would market, sell, and maintain about 10 MWp, an estimated 350,000 systems, in Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xinjiang and Xizang. The systems will be used by households and institutions in isolated rural communities without access to electricity, to power lights, radios and TVs. Grants will be paid to the companies, after proof of sale of a system with a module capacity of 10 Wp or greater, at the rate of $1.50/Wp. Market Development Program Support Sub-Component: The direct grants will be complemented by business development support to the companies. This would include support for activities such as a public information campaign, developing the commercial capabilities of PV system companies, developing mechanisms for consumer financing, and other activities to be defined during project implementation; Institutional Strengthening Sub-Component. To strengthen institutional capacities to sustain PV market development, additional activities would be carried out, including: (a) product quality assurance initiatives, including strengthening PV modules and components testing and certification capabilities at three existing centers, assistance to establish national PV component and system standards and improve product quality at the company level; (b) support for project implementation and management, including interaction with consumers and companies to obtain feedback, other performance monitoring, and consumer protection; and (c) pilot testing a credit sales mechanism. The objective of the Technology Improvement (TI) Component is to lower cost and improve quality (if necessary) of PV equipment in China. This component comprises two parts; an investment part and an institutional strengthening part. Investment: This part will provide financial assistance to industries producing PV equipment, to accelerate technology innovation aimed at reducing costs while providing high quality products and performance. The investment part has three elements: Grant-Assisted Technology Improvement Projects: Grants will be provided to share up to 50 percent of the cost of investment projects. Beneficiaries will be selected competitively, based on proposals submitted by companies or institutions, in response to invitations that will be issued annually by the PMO. Grant-Assisted Small Technology Improvement Projects: Small grants, on a minimum cost-sharing basis of 50 percent, will be provided for urgent small projects. This quick response facility has a limited budget and will permit grants of up to $10,000 per project. Investment Projects Assisted by Loans: Concessional loans will be available to companies, through commercial banks and assisted by SETC, for investments such as: purchase of production equipment, follow-up investments to grant-financed activities, or other investment activities related to TI. 2
Institutional Strengthening: Support will be provided for (a) program management, including monitoring and evaluation, and preparation of the annual plan; and (b) awareness building and program support activities. Program Management: the TIC Unit of the PMO will implement the TI Component. The program management activities include: solicitation of proposals; evaluation, ranking and selection of the proposals that best contribute to achieving the program objectives; signing contracts with the proponents of the selected proposals; monitoring and evaluation of the progress of contracted work implementation; approval of grant disbursement in relation to progress; taking appropriate action if progress is insufficient; and reporting on the progress of the TI Component to the World Bank and GEF. Awareness Building and Program Support: The TIC Unit will undertake awareness building activities, including workshops, seminars, training and preparation and distribution of program promotion materials. Further, the TIC Unit will undertake activities to support the program, such as data collection, surveys and studies. SERVICE AND SCOPE OF WORK The Bookkeeper reports to the Accountant and is responsible for ensuring the accurate maintenance of all accounts and records: Reconciliation of all external accounts. Month, quarter and year-end close. Ensures accurate and timely generation of Trial Balance, Financial Statements and other reports related to financial business operations. Maintains accurate accounting records and control reports. Reconciles and prepares statements The Bookkeeper is responsible for ensuring that all payable accounts are maintained in a timely and thorough fashion. Processes, and ensures timely payment of, vendor invoices and expense vouchers. When applicable distributes vendor invoices and expense vouchers to the appropriate Department Head for approval and coding. Maintains accurate payable records and control reports. Reconciles and prepares statements related to payable accounts. Performs other payable related duties as needed. Gathers data and conducts analyses required to meet the project financial reporting requirements including: - Balance sheet - Statement of sources and uses of funds - Special account statement 3
- Statement of implementation of GEF grant agreement - Financial Management in accordance with the World Bank s requirements - Contracts expenditure reports for consultants and goods - Grant disbursement reports for PV and TI components QUALIFICATION Background and Experience: The Bookkeeper will be have two years of more of progressively responsible experience with accounting or bookkeeping functions and procedures. Background in all areas of bookkeeping and accounting with a thorough knowledge of accounting systems and procedures. Experience in working with computerized accounting systems and Microsoft Office will be an asset. Education: The Bookkeeper must have a technical institute certificate in accounting or bookkeeping or a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business. Fluency in written and spoken Chinese and English is required. SCHEDULE The services will be required for approximately five years on a full-time basis. 4
Annex 1 Figure 1 PMO Organization World Bank/Global Environmental China Ministry of Finance State Economic & Trade Commission Project Management National Experts Office Financial PV Market Development Technology Improvement (TI) Management and Contracts Component Manager (f/t) National and International Component Manager (f/t) National Experts (p/t) M t A i t t (f/t) Financial GEF Grant Market Development Program Support and Program Support TI Grants Loan Management and Verification Services Program Institutional Accounting C t t A dit - Market Monitoring Strengthening Contracts Public Information - Monitoring - Communication TI Tenders Quick Response Management, C t t M Monitoring Information System Legend (f/t) Full Time (p/t) part time 5
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