Environmental Engineer

The Environmental Engineer will provide technical expertise and engineering oversight for renewable energy infrastructure and associated project activities under the Salone Off-Grid Renewable Energy Acceleration (SOGREA) programme. The role involves supporting engineering design review, construction supervision, quality assurance, and technical coordination with contractors, consultants, and government stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of renewable energy systems and related infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical input and engineering expertise to support the design, implementation, and operationalization of renewable energy infrastructure, pilot systems, and related project activities under WP7
• Support technical assessments, feasibility studies, and site inspections for renewable energy installations and associated infrastructure, including pilot system selection and optimization based on technical, economic, and contextual suitability
• Provide technical analysis of solar photovoltaic systems and battery technologies deployed in project sites, including assessment of system performance, operational efficiency, and lifecycle considerations, with particular attention to end-of-life management and circular economy opportunities
• Contribute engineering inputs to the design and implementation of innovative renewable energy solutions and sustainable management of renewable energy equipment, including integration of pilot-scale systems and scalable models for replication
• Support the design, implementation, commissioning, and initial operation of pilot renewable energy systems, ensuring alignment with project objectives and national priorities
• Review and validate engineering designs, technical specifications, bills of quantities, and contractor submissions to ensure compliance with national regulations, international engineering standards, and pilot-specific operational requirements
• Support contractors and consultants during implementation to ensure adherence to approved designs, technical specifications, and environmental and social safeguards, including operational readiness and performance requirements
• Monitor and inspect works related to renewable energy installations, grid connections, and associated civil or electrical infrastructure
• Conduct quality assurance and performance verification tests for equipment and installations, including commissioning tests and operational performance validation of pilot systems
• Ensure proper documentation and certification of technical works and preparation of as-built drawings, including documentation of pilot system configurations and operational parameters
• Support the development of operation and maintenance (O&M) plans, lifecycle cost considerations, and technical sustainability strategies for installed systems
• Contribute to the integration of circular economy principles into system design and implementation, including battery reuse, safe handling, collection systems, and end-of-life management pathways
• Monitor construction and installation works to ensure compliance with project designs, specifications, and schedules
• Support site-level quality assurance and quality control processes for renewable energy infrastructure
• Ensure compliance with UNOPS Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) standards across all project activities
• Prepare and submit technical supervision reports highlighting progress, risks, and corrective actions
• Support commissioning, handover, and operational readiness of pilot systems, ensuring systems are fully functional and meet performance expectations prior to operation
• Support the preparation of tender documentation including technical specifications and bills of quantities, ensuring alignment with pilot system requirements and long-term operational considerations
• Participate in the evaluation of bids and provide technical clarifications during procurement processes
• Liaise with contractors, suppliers, and consultants to ensure timely delivery and installation of equipment and materials
• Support monitoring of contractor performance against agreed technical and contractual requirements
• Support procurement processes that facilitate private sector participation, including service providers for operation, maintenance, and potential circular economy value chain activities
• Coordinate with relevant government institutions including the Ministry of Energy, regulatory agencies, and technical partners to ensure alignment with national policies and sector standards
• Participate in technical coordination meetings with stakeholders, contractors, and development partners
• Support stakeholder consultations, workshops, and technical discussions related to project implementation
• Engage with private sector actors, service providers, and local operators to support the operationalization and sustainability of pilot systems
• Support coordination with institutions involved in circular economy, waste management, and extended producer responsibility (EPR) frameworks, where applicable
• Support the Project Manager in monitoring project implementation progress, including work schedules and milestones
• Contribute technical inputs to project reports, donor updates, and stakeholder documentation
• Document lessons learned, risks, and technical challenges encountered during project implementation
• Monitor and report on pilot system performance, operational challenges, and sustainability indicators to inform scale-up and replication
• Document technical, operational, and institutional lessons learned from pilot implementation to support WP7 objectives and future programme development

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in engineering Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Renewable Energy, or related fields with 2 years of relevant experience
• Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant field is desired
• Technical/Professional Diploma in a relevant field with 4 years of relevant experience may be accepted
• Minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, infrastructure supervision, construction management, or implementation of energy and infrastructure projects
• At least two (2) years of demonstrated experience in renewable energy projects, particularly solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, mini-grids, and standalone solar energy installations
• Proven experience in the review and preparation of engineering designs, technical specifications, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), and technical design packages for infrastructure or renewable energy projects
• Demonstrated experience in construction supervision, quality assurance, and quality control of civil, mechanical, and electrical works associated with renewable energy infrastructure
• Experience supporting procurement processes, including preparation of tender documentation, technical specifications, bid evaluation, and contractor performance monitoring
• Proven experience in site supervision, technical inspections, commissioning support, and preparation of technical and progress reports
• Demonstrated experience in Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) monitoring and compliance within infrastructure or renewable energy projects
• Experience coordinating and engaging with government institutions, contractors, consultants, development partners, and other project stakeholders
• Demonstrated understanding of the renewable energy sector in Sierra Leone, including operational, environmental, and sustainability challenges associated with solar and off-grid energy systems
• Practical knowledge and experience related to solar e-waste management, including quantification of solar waste volumes, material flow analysis, waste data management, and data visualization
• Experience undertaking stakeholder engagement activities in Sierra Leone, preferably within the renewable energy, environmental, or waste management sectors
• Demonstrated experience in the development or review of waste management policies, regulations, guidelines, or frameworks
• Good understanding of existing national and international laws, regulations, and best practices relating to solar e-waste and hazardous waste management
• Experience conducting feasibility studies, waste assessments, waste audits, or related technical studies in the waste management or circular economy sector
• Certification in PV solar design training from a recognized international institution is required
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building, technical training, or knowledge transfer activities, preferably related to solar e-waste management, renewable energy systems, or general waste management practices
• Experience supporting project planning, scheduling, and reporting is desirable
• Experience using engineering and project management tools such as AutoCAD, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace is desirable
• Experience working with international organizations or donor-funded projects is desirable
• Previous experience with UNOPS or UN system organizations is an asset
• Fluent English required

Skills

• Renewable Energy
• Solar Photovoltaic Systems
• Mini-Grids
• Engineering Design Review
• Technical Specifications Preparation
• Bill of Quantities preparation
• Construction Supervision
• Quality Assurance
• Quality Control
• Procurement Support
• Tender Documentation
• Bid Evaluation
• Contractor Performance Monitoring
• Site Supervision
• Technical Inspections
• Commissioning Support
• Technical Reporting
• Progress Reporting
• HSSE Performance Monitoring
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Solar E-Waste Management
• Waste Data Management
• Data Visualization
• Waste Management Policy Development
• Feasibility Studies
• Waste Assessments
• PV Solar Design Certification
• Capacity Building
• Technical Training Delivery
• Project Planning
• Project Scheduling
• AutoCAD
• MS Project
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Google Workspace

Languages

English