PLACEMENT 3: TECHNICAL ADVISOR FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY COMPANIES Engineers Without Borders UK inspires and supports people to respond to global challenges using science, technology and engineering. We work with partner organisations and the education sector to alleviate poverty. Our international work is defined by developing the capacity of individuals and communities to respond to the global challenges brought about by resource constraints and climate change. We are strongly committed to building skilled technical capacity. Through the development of collaborations with local partners and UK engineers, our aim is to strengthen the environmental, social and economic resilience of communities. The current international work is focused on three core areas: renewable energy, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and shelter. Engineers Without Borders UK brings people, ideas and engineering together to deliver solutions to the world s most pressing problems. Our vision is a world where 1
everyone has access to the engineering they need for a life free from poverty. Where engineering is for everyone, everywhere. Our International Placements programme is our hallmark activity and has been for over a decade. Each year, we recruit a number of engineers to work with our partner organisations across the globe on 3, 6 or 12 month voluntary placements. All volunteers receive comprehensive training prior to departing and are supported whilst overseas. We offer a range of placements suitable for people with different levels of professional experience. Our placements are the result of ongoing collaboration between Engineers Without Borders UK and our international partners. Our aim is to develop quality opportunities for high calibre volunteers, that respond to the needs & skills gaps of the international partners. In the last year, our volunteers have been involved in projects ranging from designing an adaptor for clay water filters to improve drinking water in Mexico, supporting local staff to provide internet service to a rural community in Nepal and mentoring local graduates to improve water systems delivery in Cameroon. Our International Placements offer a wealth of benefits, these include: Hands on field experience with Engineers Without Borders UK s long term local partners The opportunity to work on placements designed by partner organisations and Engineers Without Borders UK to meet the mutually desired outcomes of the partner and volunteer In depth understanding of globally responsible engineering Support from Engineers Without Borders UK s experienced International Partnerships Team Access to our mentoring programme Comprehensive pre departure training Induction into our extensive Alumni Network Access to networks and contacts within the international development sector 2
We invest a lot of time and money into our international placements to ensure our impact is sustainable and that our volunteers have the best possible experience. Because of this we require all volunteers to commit to: Fundraising towards the cost of their placement as below. This fundraising covers around 10% of the overall cost of the placement. 3 months = 1200 6 months = 1500 12 months = 2000 Attending an in person interview on the weekend of 20 21 February 2016 Attending a three day pre departure training on either the 22 24 April 2016 or the 20 22 May 2016 and a one day post placement evaluation. Raising the profile of Engineers Without Borders UK s work and staying involved in our movement after their placement Joining the Engineers Without Borders UK Alumni Network Return flight Accommodation Basic food Work related in country travel Comprehensive insurance (excluding personal effects) Visas 50% of the pre departure training cost Contribution towards essential vaccinations and antimalarials Personal travel expenses and insurance 50% of the UK pre departure training cost Travel within the UK for training or interviews Toiletries Spending money Any costs relating to non essential vaccinations Insurance for computers and electrical items Please note: All expenses are calculated on the local cost of living and paid into volunteers UK bank accounts in a series of grants. It is the volunteer's responsibility to manage this grant for the duration of their placement. Engineers Without Borders UK are not responsible for reimbursing any expenses that incur above the grant we provide. 3
Deadline : 12:00pm GMT, 12 January 2016 Application Procedure : All applicants must complete the application form, CV and structured cover letter. Full details are given on the online application form. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for interview approximately two weeks after applications close. Interviews: 20 and 21 February 2016 in London. Please note: Applications submitted after the closing date will not be reviewed. We regret that we are unable to respond to every application. Therefore, if you do not hear from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. PLACEMENT TITLE Placement 3 Technical Advisor for Renewable Energy Companies LOCATION Nairobi, Kenya FOCUS AREA DURATION FUNDRAISING TOTAL ESTIMATED DEPARTURE DATE PARTNER ORGANISATION PLACEMENT OVERVIEW Energy 6 months 1500 June 2016 Global Village Energy Partnership (GVEP) is a non profit organisation that works with local businesses in developing countries to increase access to modern energy and to improve the quality of lives for millions of people. GVEP work in Kenya working with small companies in the renewable energy sector. They act as a technical advisory service to assist the companies in engineering issues, financial issues and business overviews. The companies they work with are based in and around Kenya. The placement would involve the working closely with local companies and providing technical engineering advice to them in their business areas. Previous placements have included working with local solar companies to develop improved products enabling them to produce a robust product for the energy sector. 4
PLACEMENT OBJECTIVES GVEP s clients are early stage businesses which require advice and support to become investment ready/ financeable and then to attract capital from various types of financiers. GVEP supports them through various types of advisory projects, which the Engineers Without Borders UK volunteer would contribute to. They would be relied upon to provide technical advice as a part of: Business consulting assignments which involve mentorship of local clean energy entrepreneurs Customised projects that are consulting engagements to support development of clean energy Projects may relate to: Expansion into new market or technologies Distribution logistics and planning Infrastructure project development process Engineering studies and cost benefit analyses Preparing for, or executing capital raising processes with investors, lenders, or grantmakers businesses in East Africa The volunteer would also be able to contribute technical skills to specific GVEP programmes (in addition to client assignments as per above) including those related to energy access in refugee camps, the establishment of various financing vehicles, and development of mini grid projects VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES The volunteer will be placed with the Advisory team, a 15 person team which is based in Nairobi, providing customised consultancy and capital raising support to early stage energy businesses and developers of energy project, all that benefit off grid communities in East Africa. SKILLS REQUIRED Experience in renewable energy and/or energy efficiency technology Experience in a consulting or advisory role Experience working with rural and off grid business models and technologies, and an understanding of unique challenges faced by African businesses Knowledge of solar, biomass, biogas, wind and/or hydro technologies 5