Environmental Engineer

The project aims to accelerate access to clean and reliable electricity by expanding mini-grids, enabling private investment, piloting innovative renewable energy solutions, strengthening institutional capacity, and supporting sustainable management of renewable energy infrastructure.

cross 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices, spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa, the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Based in Dakar, Senegal, the West Africa Multi-Country Office (WAMCO) delivers high-quality project management, infrastructure, and procurement services across 16 countries in West Africa and the Sahel. Aligned with UNOPS’ mission, WAMCO supports partners in peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance, and sustainable development across sectors including climate change, renewable energy, infrastructure, environment, agriculture, water and sanitation, justice, and peace and security.

Sierra Leone faces one of the world’s lowest electricity access rates, with approximately 36% national access and less than 6% in rural areas. To address this challenge, the Government of Sierra Leone has prioritized the expansion of renewable energy solutions, particularly solar mini-grids and off-grid systems, as part of its national electrification strategy.

The Salone Off-Grid Renewable Energy Acceleration (SOGREA) project is funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS and the UNOPS-hosted Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) in partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Energy.

The project aims to accelerate access to clean and reliable electricity by expanding mini-grids, enabling private investment, piloting innovative renewable energy solutions, strengthening institutional capacity, and supporting sustainable management of renewable energy infrastructure.

The project contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• SDG 13: Climate Action

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The Project Engineer will support the technical implementation of renewable energy infrastructure, pilot systems, and related engineering activities within the SOGREA project.

• The Project Engineer will provide technical expertise and engineering oversight for renewable energy infrastructure and associated project activities under the SOGREA programme.

• The incumbent will support engineering design review, construction supervision, quality assurance, and technical coordination with contractors, consultants, and government stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of renewable energy systems and related infrastructure.

• The Project Engineer will contribute to ensuring that project activities comply with national regulations, international engineering standards, environmental and social safeguards, and UNOPS Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) requirements.

 FUNCTIONS / KEY RESULTS EXPECTED

Engineering and Technical Support

• 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.

Construction Supervision and Quality Assurance

• 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.

Procurement and Contract Management Support

•  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. 

Stakeholder Coordination

• 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.

Project Monitoring and Reporting

• 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.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

• Technical review of engineering designs and contractor submissions, including validation of pilot system designs, operational requirements, and scalability considerations.

• Site supervision reports and inspection reports, including commissioning reports and operational readiness assessments for pilot systems.

• Technical inputs to procurement documentation and bid evaluation reports, ensuring alignment with pilot system requirements, lifecycle performance, and long-term operational sustainability.

• Engineering progress reports and technical monitoring updates, including tracking of pilot system implementation, commissioning, and initial operational performance.

• Quality assurance and HSSE compliance reports, including verification of compliance during construction, commissioning, and early operation phases.

• Technical inputs to quarterly and annual project reports, including analysis of pilot system performance, risks, operational challenges, and corrective measures.

• Documentation of lessons learned and technical best practices, including pilot implementation outcomes, operational insights, and recommendations for replication and scale-up under WP7.