Engineering Advisоr (Energy Sectоr)

Chemonics International, a global consulting and international development firm, seek an Engineering Advisor, Energy Sector, short-term position, for the USAID-funded Competitive Economy Program (CEP).The USAID Competitive Economy Program (CEP) is a seven year, $170M program, which promotes a strong, diverse, and open economy by enhancing the business environment for Ukrainian enterprises, improving the competitiveness of emerging and high-growth industries and their firms in international markets and equipping the Ukrainian workforce with skills necessary for reconstruction and rebuilding the economy.

Position Description

The Engineering Advisor will serve as an advocate for the CEP project on a complicated 2-stage procurement process for the purchase of CGUs. The Engineering Advisor will review reports and deliverables from the contracted Engineering Firm and assist CEP personnel with selection of appropriate businesses to receive CGUs.   The Engineering Advisor will also assist the CEP Procurement Department with technical advice for the drafting of a Request for Proposals (RFP) which will identify manufacturers of such equipment and serve as an advisor in the selection of the correct manufacturers to provide CGUs to identified beneficiaries. The Engineering Advisor will also monitor the progress of the Beneficiaries to make-ready to receive the CGUs, properly install the equipment, and provide periodic reports and recommendations to CEP technical staff on the progress of and challenges faced by the Beneficiaries.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities

• Review Reports and Deliverables from the Engineering Firm.  Assess the thoroughness of the reports and confirm the findings of the reports to CEP.
• Identify gaps in the reports. Prepare follow-up questions for the Engineering Firm as needed.
• Liaise with beneficiaries as needed, using the information from the Engineering Firm to develop an installation plan for the cogeneration units (CGUs).  Confirm beneficiary constraints identified by the Engineering Firm.
• Double-check the Engineering Firms recommended improvements or preparatory steps the beneficiary should undertake before installation. 
• Meet with beneficiaries as needed to tour their facilities and confirm the findings of the Engineering Firm.
• Participate in meetings between CEP and the Engineering Firm, as needed.  Act as an advocate for CEP and provide wholistic insight into the needs of CEP and the beneficiaries.
• Assist in drafting contracts for selected CGU Manufacturers by providing technical specifications for the equipment to be purchased.
• During and after installation of the CGUs, the Engineering Advisor shall provide an interim progress report and a final post-installation report to CEP for each Beneficiary.

Timing and Level of Effort 

USAID CEP expects that the Engineering Firm will require 2 months to complete their initial assessment of potential beneficiaries.  Reports will be submitted to CEP on a rolling basis during the 2 months. The Engineering Firm is expected to complete their assessment in late November 2024. 

The RFP for CGU equipment will be released in December 2024 with offers due in January 2025. 

CGUs will require up to 6 months of manufacturing time.  It is expected that the manufacturing process and delivery will be completed in June 2025.

The Engineering Advisor will begin work in mid-October and provide intermittent support to CEP for the duration of the activity through the end of June 2025.

Supervision and Reporting 

The Engineering Advisor reports to the SIF Director.

Deliverables:

• Review all reports from the Engineering Firm and provide written confirmation of the accuracy or omissions in each report.
• Review and confirm the specifications are complete and accurate.  Provide written confirmation of review and findings.
• Refine specifications from the Engineering Firm that can be used in the RFP to solicit offers from companies that manufacture CGUs.
• Evaluate offers in response to the RFP for CGU equipment. Provide written analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each offer. Present those findings in evaluation meetings as requested by the SIF Advisor or his/her designee.
• Assist the CEP Procurement Department in drafting technical requirements in the purchasing contracts for CGUs.
• Provide post-installation reports on all Beneficiary businesses to CEP.
• Final report on the activity to include observations on successes of the activity, challenges overcome, and recommendations for any future CGU procurements managed by CEP.

Qualifications

The required and/or preferred qualifications for this position include:

• A bachelor’s degree or the same level technical degree in engineering, energy systems, or a related field is required.
• A minimum of five years of engineering experience with installation, operation, and maintenance of cogeneration equipment or similar equipment.
• Knowledge of the Ukrainian energy sector, including regulations and market conditions is required.
• Experience with procurement processes, including drafting RFPs, evaluating proposals, and selecting equipment manufacturers, is preferred.
• Strong leadership capabilities, including organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work quickly and creatively without sacrificing compliance or quality.

Application Instructions:

To apply, please click on the following link

https://ukrainecep.formstack.com/forms/engineering_advisor

Please submit your application by 11:59 pm on Monday 04 November, 2024.

Please note the position is open for Ukrainian citizens only. Candidates will be reviewed and interviewed on a rolling basis until position is filled. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.  Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.