UNICEF Zimbabwe is inviting proposals from qualified individual national consultants to assess and advise on solar power package needs, procurement and installation of solar infrastructure as an alternative power source for the Health Facilities.

• The consultant is expected to carry out a rapid assessment of energy needs for essential maternal and child health packages including equipment. The assessment report will include the recommended solar system design, including all technical requirements and specifications for installation in accordance with the local context. In addition, the assessment will include a feasibility study on hot and cold water requirements and capacity needed in targeted health facilities. He/she will supervise and certify the technical installation and commissioning of the solar project at the 6 Health Facilities.

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Background

The Ministry of Health’s National Health Survey performance report indicates that 67% of the population live in rural areas. This population depends on rural health facilities for the provision of primary health care, including maternal, new-born and child health services. These services should be available during the day as well as at night especially for deliveries and emergency situations, and yet for fault of a reliable power source these essential services are often disrupted. Up to 32.5% of health facilities lack electricity in Zimbabwe, compromising health service provision with unforgivable consequences for children. Women and children’s health are the most affected by the lack of sustainable energy sources, and yet they are not often in a position to demand more out of health services or contribute to potential solutions.

The neonatal mortality rate stands at 29 per 1,000 live births and contributes to a third of under-five mortality. The major causes of neonatal deaths in Zimbabwe are risk factors related to pregnancy and delivery often associated with poor quality of care. Health staff are obligated to commit time on domestic water fetching chores when they could be dedicating more time to patients. In addition, lack of a sustainable water source further undermines infection prevention measures and deters implementation of the 72-hour postpartum stay for lack of maintained bathing and toilet facilities. Staffing quarters without basic amenities such as running water and electricity negatively impacts health worker retention in rural areas.

The proposed sustainable solution for these water and energy challenges stated herewith has been identified as solar energy. Solar energy has the potential to reduce dependency on solid and fossil fuel for energy, increasing the efficiency of energy production and shifting to cleaner and renewable energy sources which, when combined should lower not only Zimbabwe’s local air pollution but also `greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Solar power generation and thermal application (e.g. hot water) at clinics will improve access to quality health services, addressing many of the challenges already cited, and ultimately leading to reductions in preventable maternal and child deaths as well as to improved nutrition knowledge and conditions.

Due to lack of solar related expertise within UNICEF the Project Task force and anticipated related risk management reasons, UNICEF has decided to engage a competent and qualified consultant (individual) to guide and assist in this regard.

Purpose of Assignment:

• This assignment focuses on the assessment of 6 Health Facilities to determine solar power package needs, required capacity, sustainability of water sources and conditions for maintenance training. The installation of the solar systems is aimed to cover sufficient electricity needs for routine Health Facility function and their on-site staff quarters. The assessment will be carried out in liaison with relevant ministries, targeted Health Centre Committees, taking into consideration the assessments already carried out under the UNDP and Ministry of Health project Solar 4 Health.
• The consultant is expected to carry out a rapid assessment of energy needs for essential maternal and child health packages including equipment. The assessment report will include the recommended solar system design, including all technical requirements and specifications for installation in accordance with the local context. In addition, the assessment will include a feasibility study on hot and cold water requirements and capacity needed in targeted health facilities. He/she will supervise and certify the technical installation and commissioning of the solar project at the 6 Health Facilities.
• A private company will be hired to carry out solar installations at the assessed Health. The consultant must develop Terms of Reference/Expression of Interest for the private company doing installations. The consultant will assist in the procurement process of the service and equipment and carry out the Quality Assurance on the Solar Equipment procured and installed.

Scope of Work:

During this period, the consultant will focus on:

1. Site visit to the 6 Health Facilities, most likely in Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland South[1], to assess solar power package needs, required capacity and the power consuming equipment in use.
2. Determine sufficient energy needs for each of the 6 Health Facilities and their on-site staff quarters, with designated space and outlets for phone charging.
3. Feasibility study of hot and cold water requirements and energy capacity needed in targeted health facilities.
4. Design and produce a sketch system design of the best solar option and layout for the Health Facilities including developing a blue print in line with requirements from Ministry of Public Works.
5. After consensus, a detailed system design can be drawn for each of the 6 Health Facilities including specific location of the solar equipment.
6. Provide input and participate in consultations, including with consultant working on the market based approach development, in the UNICEF/UNDP process on developing a Sustainability Framework for solar power package installations and maintenance
7. Come up with detailed specifications of all solar equipment to be procured for the project.
8. Come up with detailed terms of reference and or statement of works for the company to be engaged in the supply and installation of the solar project.
9. Assist in the technical submissions review processes.
10. Assist in quality inspection and certification of all supplies before they are received and installed.
11. Develop and recommend conditions for reviewing the training, operational and maintenance manuals developed by procured solar private company.
12. Produce report based on findings in the assessed health facilities summarizing these and providing systems designs, recommendations, specifications etc. for solar power package installations, maintenance etc. in the 6 Health facilities.
13. Perform periodic and ongoing supervision and certification of the works as they progress.
14. Inspect, certify and oversee commissioning of the finished works.

Major Task, Deliverable and Timeframe

Consultancy Timeframe

The consultant is expected to work for 35 days commencing in August to 31 March 2019

Consultancy Requirements

• Advanced Technical Engineering degree with a specialization in Solar Power Systems/Renewable Energy.
• Previous experience installing solar systems in health facilities and/or communities is an added advantage

• Minimum of 5 years of professional work experience in conducting feasibility studies, designing, installing and operationalizing solar power systems. The consultant must have worked on at least 2 solar potential assessment studies in buildings.
• Documented knowledge on renewable energy systems.
• Computer literate
• Fluency in English, verbal and written.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Ability to exercise sound technical judgment.

• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment and a high sense of integrity.

   

Application Procedure

If interested and available, please submit your application letter, CV, Technical proposal and an all-inclusive financial proposal clearly indicating the monthly professional fees and travel related costs for maximum 10 field travel days for the duration of the contract.