DEADLINE: 23RD SEPTEMBER, 2022
ECOWAS CENTRE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY (ECREEE)
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
CONSULTING SERVICES
DESERT-TO-POWER WEST AFRICA REGIONAL ENERGY PROGRAM (WAREP) PHASE 1
CONSULTANCY TO DEVELOP TRAINING MODULES AND CONDUCT TRAINING OF TRAINERS ON CLEAN MINI-GRIDS IN WEST AFRICA
BACKGROUND
The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) has received a grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB), toward the implementation of the Desert-to-Power West Africa Regional Energy Program (WAREP) and intends to apply part of this grant to payments under the grant for the hiring of a team of consultants to undertake the following:
a) development of training modules on and
b) conduct training of trainers, on Clean Mini-Grids in West Africa.
WAREP seeks to catalyse growth in access to electricity by addressing primarily financial barriers to private sector-led distributed power generation and mini-grid development from renewable energy in the Member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The program comprises three components. Component 1 is being implemented by the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and involves the conduct of pre-feasibility studies for the Sahel Backbone and regional solar parks. Component 2 is being implemented by ECREEE and involves the preparation activities for the ECREEE Regional Mini-Grid Program and Capacity Building. Component 3 comprises the project management- activities being implemented by WAPP and ECREEE. There are two sub-components of Component 2 — (i) decentralized energy solutions to develop an actionable regional mini-grid program; (ii) to support a regional capacity building and certification program targeting mass training of technicians and relevant stakeholders.
There is currently a lack of a critical mass of technicians in the Renewable and Energy Efficiency (RE & EE) sector across the ECOWAS region. In a bid to address this challenge, ECREEE has organized several entrepreneurship training programs and certification examinations targeting Standalone Solar Home Systems (SHSs) installers have been piloted. It is imperative to scale up these initiatives. ECREEE’s Regional Capacity Program is aimed at mass training and certification of men and women technicians who will provide critical support to ensure the sustainability of the mini-grids. WAREP presents an opportunity for an extension of the certification scheme to a second level.
Why Capacity Building and Certification Matter
For a successful RE & EE sector, there is a need for quality assurance at various levels. The quality equipment is assured. through the establishment and enforcement of product standards. However, high-quality products will only provide the desired services if RE & EE systems are designed, installed, and maintained by highly qualified individuals. Quality assurance protects and accelerates future PV investments, lowers capital costs, improves performance, extends module lifespans, and lowers the resulting electricity costs.
Certifying these individuals is a reassurance that they possess the required competencies and experiences to complete the job safely and effectively. More specifically, certification: (i) promotes the quality and safety of systems, (ii) compels practitioners to update their skills through regular training, (iii) helps practitioners to secure multiple service contacts, and (iv) helps them network with peers.
The ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Skills Certification Program
Within the framework of the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy and the National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs) of Member States, ECREEE set up a scheme called the ECOWAS Certification of Sustainable Energy Skills (ECSES) with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the European Union. The goal of the scheme is to address the inferior quality of photovoltaic (PV) system installations through the enhancement of the professional competencies of women and men designers, installers, and inspectors
Purpose of this Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI)
ECREEE now intends to commence the certification process for the mini-grid installers, designers, and inspectors under the first phase of the Desert-to-Power West Africa Regional Energy Program (WAREP). The main tasks of this consultancy include 1) the development of modules for training trainers on Clean Mini-Grids in West Africa and 2) the facilitation of training of trainers on Clean Mini-Grids in West Africa. The modules will be validated by experts before the training is held. The competency frameworks (also known as Job Task Analyses) for the certification of mini-grid, installers, designers, and inspectors have already been developed and will serve as the basis for the development of gender-responsive training modules.
ECREEE now seeks a consulting firm to perform the following main tasks:
- Task 1: Gender-responsive documentary review;
- Task 2: Development of gender-responsive training modules;
- Task 3: Facilitation of validation sessions of the training modules, and
- Task 4: Gender-responsive training of trainers.
The training modules will be produced in three sets:
(a) Set 1 Modules: Development of Gender-responsive Training materials for the Designers of Advanced Off-Grid and On-Grid (Mini-Grid) Solar PV Systems (Includes Systems with Fuel Generators – Hybrid Systems) based on the Job Task Analysis.
(b) Set 2 Modules: Development of Gender-responsive Training materials for Installers of Advanced Off- and On-Grid Solar PV Systems (Includes Systems with Fuel Generators Systems) based on the Job Task Analysis.
(c) Set 3 Modules: Development of Gender-responsive Training materials for Inspectors of Advanced Off-Grid Solar PV Systems (Includes Systems with Fuel Generators Systems) based on the Job Task Analysis
Each set will include four cross-cutting modules, namely, a) Environmental Considerations, b) Communication with Clients, c) Collaboration with Stakeholders for Sustainability, and d) Ethical Standards.
REOI Requirements
The expression of interest document should not exceed 25 pages, with the following format:
(a) Personal and contact details (maximum 1 page);
(b) Expression of interest with details on the firm’s demonstration of:
(i) Relevant experience and skills in developing training modules (maximum 5 pages,
(ii) Relevant experience in training targeted audience (maximum 5 pages),
(iii) Approach to the assignment (maximum 5 pages);
(c) CVs (maximum 5 pages)
(d) Any other information deemed relevant
The shortlisting and selection will be done in accordance with the “Procurement framework for operations financed by the Bank Group”, October 2015 edition, which is available on the website of the Bank at the address: http://www.afdb.org. The expression of interest must be submitted through the following email address ONLY: warep@ecreee.org no later than 23:59 hrs (GMT) on 23 September 2022, clearly indicating in the subject: “Develop Training Modules and Conduct Training of Trainers on Clean Mini-Grids in West Africa” Further information/clarification can be obtained at the following email address: jbulgo@ecreee.org and adeoliveira@ecreee.org.
Applicants are advised not to copy these two email addresses when submitting their applications. Failure to adhere to this instruction will result in their disqualification. “Disclaimer: This document has been translated into French and Portuguese to reach a wider audience. While reasonable efforts were made to provide accurate translations, portions may be incorrect. ECREEE assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or ambiguities in the French and Portuguese translations. The English version remains the original and final version for reference.”
