Consultancies REOIs and TORs

Power Systems Operations Planning Engineer – PIU | Individual Consultant

November 19, 2021

Project: Tanzania-Zambia Transmission Interconnector Project

Position: Power Systems Operations Planning Engineer of the EAPP – PIU

Ref. No: ET-EAPP-240061-CS-INDV

Organization: Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP)
Department: Eastern Africa Power Pool – Project Implementation Unit (EAPP – PIU)
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: EAPP – PIU Project Manager
Contract Period: one year, renewable upon satisfactory performance
Expected Start Date: 15^th January 2022.

The Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) has applied for financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Tanzania-Zambia Transmission Interconnector Project (P163752) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The consulting services (“the Services”) of the Power Systems Operations Planning Engineer will include (but not necessarily limited to the following tasks):-

Provide oversight of all activities under the World Bank Technical Assistance related to power system operations in order to ensure that studies are conducted properly. Including, but not limited to,
- Design, procurement, implementation, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of power system operation and operation planning related activities/studies (for e.g., those related to the grid coordination unit (GCU), Energy Information Systems (EIS), and Data Monitoring Systems) such as:
  - Monitoring and reporting on control performance of grid interconnections.
  - Monitoring flows of the interconnectors to alert participants of wide discrepancies.
  - Allocation of transmission capacities, ensuring no new contract or trade exceeds the available capacity of the interconnectors.
  - Work as counterparty to balancing market transaction and coordinate of dispatch of balancing electricity with national TSOs.
- Review of draft reports and documents submitted by different consultants.
- Review power system planning studies and evaluate relevance to power system operations planning.
- Ensure that interconnection codes are well understood and implemented in projects
- Coordination with relevant stakeholders in the development and implementation of operation readiness projects. Liaise with other pools, particularly SAPP, as needed.
- Liaise with and advise utilities on investments needed for compliance to interconnection code
- Preparation of Annual Procurement Plans for power system operations planning activities in consultation with the World Bank Team and the EAPP General Secretariat;
- Participation in World Bank supervision missions, and project meetings
- Provide regular progress reports and updates to the Project Manager (PIU), and EAPP management as necessary
- Draft terms of reference, briefing notes, and summary documents and slide decks related to power systems operations planning, as needed.

Provide continuous technical and strategic advice to the EAPP General Secretariat, Operations Technical Committee members, member utilities, and other stakeholders.
- Coordinate and advise on work related to the Operations Committee, including regular follow-up, updates and meetings
- Provide technical guidance to EAPP in regional synchronization
- Provide expert advice to EAPP on developing and implementing critical methodologies for establishment of interconnection operation, e.g., control area concepts
- Provide technical support to EAPP in design and implementation of ICT/SCADA system
- Provide technical support for institutional strengthening and capacity building of EAPP and its member utilities to ensure strong cooperation amongst members countries
- Draft relevant documents, briefing notes, and presentations on power systems operations planning.

Support EAPP in knowledge sharing and represent the team at relevant forums

Represent EAPP at relevant meetings and clearly present the EAPP’s position as authorized by the General Secretariat.
Support planning, organization, and execution of events, workshops and meetings related to EAPP’s work program
Undertake any other functions related to efficient execution of the assigned position as directed by EAPP Secretary General & the Project Manager (PIU).

Successful execution of tasks mentioned above would require the Engineer to get quickly familiarized with the EAPP’s institutional arrangements and previous initiatives. Accordingly, the Engineer should

- Review, previously undertaken or on-going, studies related to operational readiness and link them with newly planned studies.
- Review relevant terms of reference, tender documents and consultancy contract documents, the IDA Grant Agreement and relevant World Bank guidelines.
- Understand the institutional set up of EAPP in general and EAPP General Secretariat and the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in particular.
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of the PIU, EAPP GS, technical committees and the IRB.
- Understand the scope and modalities of on-going support and technical assistance by different development partners and ensure harmonization across them.

Required Qualifications/Competences

The following skills are essential for this work:

Academic specialization: The consultant should have a minimum of Bachelors/Master’s Degree A Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electro-Mechanical Engineering from a recognized University.

A Master’s degree in Electrical, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Business Administration, Finance, Management, or Economics will be an added advantage.
Certified training in Power System Operation Planning or professional qualifications in a related field.
A minimum of 12 years of professional experience in the power sector of which 5 must have been at a senior level encompassing project procurement, implementation, supervision, monitoring and evaluation in a power system operation planning or power market environment.
Strong skills and ability in demand forecasting and power system operations planning and execution including transmission interconnectors.
Working knowledge of Disturbance recorder will be an added advantage.
Working knowledge of power system tools such as PSSE will be an added advantage
Experience in Energy Management System (EMS), SCADA and Network Application Studies (NAS) systems and Dispatcher Training Simulator System (DTS) will be an added advantage.
Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment with a capacity to work pro-actively with minimal supervision.
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; skills in French will be an added advantage.
Computer literacy in the use of word processor, spreadsheets and other power system operations planning applications.
Experience in projects financed by external donors such as the World Bank and African Development Bank. Knowledge of policies and procedures of the World Bank will be an added advantage.

REOI and TOR

Expressions of Interest together with CVs and other required documents should be sent to the General Secretary, Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) on or before December 13, 2021 at 2:00pm East Africa Time, in PDF format by using the following email address: consultancy@eappool.org Expressions of Interest should be clearly marked – “Expression of Interest for Procurement Specialist, Ref no: “ET-EAPP-240061-CS-INDV”.