Solar Energy Expert PV systems

FAO; Osage City (KS); Remote; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

FAO seeks a Solar Energy Expert to manage solar PV projects, enhancing resilience in agricultural communities. The role involves overseeing installations, ensuring compliance with technical standards, and fostering collaboration with stakeholders. A degree in Engineering and 5 years of experience in energy management are essential.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in engineering and energy management.
• Working knowledge of English.
• Knowledge of Arabic Language is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee solar PV project lifecycle, including installation, testing, and maintenance.
• Conduct technical evaluations of PV systems for compliance.
• Prepare detailed progress reports for the project.

Skills

Project Management

Technical Analysis

Renewable Energy Expertise

Collaboration

Capacity Building

Education

University degree in Engineering (especially Renewable Energy, Electrical, or Mechanical)

Job description

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Organizational Setting

FAO Iraq is leading the development, promotion, oversight, and implementation of strategies to address countrywide food, agriculture, and rural development, while also leveraging partnership with relevant government ministries. FAO is implementing a Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded project in Southern Iraq to enhance the resilience of vulnerable agricultural households, particularly vulnerable to climate change risks. This project aims to enhance water productivity, food security, and the overall resilience of these households by: (i) promoting and applying more equitable climate-smart agricultural production practices among smallholder farmers, including both men and women; (ii) increasing recognition among farmers and agricultural department staff of the important role, women play in promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA); and (iii) encouraging the adoption of solar energy as a key strategy to advance climate-smart practices and reduce the workload for women in rural households, through collaborative efforts between the government and target population in the targeted areas.

Organizational Setting

FAO Iraq is leading the development, promotion, oversight, and implementation of strategies to address countrywide food, agriculture, and rural development, while also leveraging partnership with relevant government ministries. FAO is implementing a Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded project in Southern Iraq to enhance the resilience of vulnerable agricultural households, particularly vulnerable to climate change risks. This project aims to enhance water productivity, food security, and the overall resilience of these households by: (i) promoting and applying more equitable climate-smart agricultural production practices among smallholder farmers, including both men and women; (ii) increasing recognition among farmers and agricultural department staff of the important role, women play in promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA); and (iii) encouraging the adoption of solar energy as a key strategy to advance climate-smart practices and reduce the workload for women in rural households, through collaborative efforts between the government and target population in the targeted areas.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative (FAOR), the direct supervision of the Deputy FAO Representative, and in coordination with the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and relevant HQ Technical Officers, the incumbent will undertake the tasks and responsibilities aligned with the technical focus of the assignment.

Technical Focus

(i) Designing and implementing Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS), (ii) Solar Energy to Irrigation infrastructure, Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer (iii) Collaboration and Partnership for Solar System Projects/Schemes.

Tasks And Responsibilities

• Oversee the entire project lifecycle for solar PV pumping installations (4 large-scale and 36 small-scale systems) in Al Najaf and Al Muthana Governorates, including supply, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning, handover, and maintenance.
• Conduct technical evaluations of offers from potential suppliers for PV systems, ensuring compliance with standard criteria.
• Supervise contractors' resources (labor/staff, equipment, and materials), installation protocols, timeframes, methods, and modalities.
• Ensure contractors follow approved designs, material technical specifications, and work quality standards across all sites.
• Technically backstop and inform the project technical advisor of any deviations from original designs or installation layouts/standards, or any necessary site-specific improvements.
• Conduct post-installation checks of solar systems on all sites with FAO field staff, contractors, stakeholders, and beneficiaries for performance verification.
• Maintain detailed records of the installation process and progress, including reports on activities, challenges, and solutions.
• Prepare and maintain detailed records of all technical assessments, inspections, installations, and post-installation inspections.
• Submit regular progress reports throughout the assignment, detailing the status of design, site assessments, stakeholder engagement, installation activities, quality assurance, and safeguard compliance to the project technical advisor and to the relevant government department(s).
• Provide a detailed final report upon completion, encompassing all aspects of the project, including an overview of the system installation process, approaches used, final designs, implementation outcomes, challenges faced, and recommendations for future projects.
• Document lessons learned and best practices for future FAO solar energy projects.
• Engage with relevant stakeholders at ministries (Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Electricity) and governorate-level directorates for compliance, technical coordination, capacity building, training, post-installation service support, and advisory services.
• Engage with local communities to address concerns, promote acceptance, and ensure alignment with project objectives and systems' social and environmental standards.
• Supervise contractor-led training for beneficiaries and the Department of Water Resources (DoWR) as per the approved operational and maintenance manual.
• Facilitate a smooth handover of large-scale systems to the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) and Directorates of Water Resources (DoWR), Water Users Associations, and small-scale systems to farmer beneficiaries.
• Ensure contractor compliance with project social and environmental standards, as agreed, and with relevant national legal frameworks.
• Prepare a gender-sensitive roadmap for solar electrification and inclusive participation of men and women, for influencing policy and advocating for solar electrification.
  
  

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Engineering (especially Renewable Energy, Electrical, or Mechanical), or a closely related technical field
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in engineering, energy management
• Working knowledge of English
  
  

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
  
  

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset
• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting, advising and guiding the implementation of complex multi-stakeholder projects
• Extent of experience in formulation, implementation and monitoring of projects
• Ability to develop plans for the implementation and coordination of project operations in developing countries, in partnership with UN agencies and other concerned stakeholders and/or partners
• Familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures is an asset.
  
  

Selection Criteria

• Knowledge of Arabic Language is preferred
  
  

Call For Expressions Of Interest - Vacancy Announcement

Job Posting

04/Jun/2025

Closure Date

18/Jun/2025, 4:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit

FNIRQ - FAO Representation in Iraq

Job Type

Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition

Consultant

Grade Level

N/A

Primary Location

Home-Based

Duration

11 Months with possibility of extension

Post Number

N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
  
  

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Information Technology

• Industries

  Non-profit Organizations

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