Renewable Energy Engineer/ Solar Milling Engineer

Position Title: Renewable Energy / Solar Milling Engineer

GROUP: Clean Energy & Circular Economy

UNIT: Environment & Energy

Reports to: Director, Clean Energy & Circular Economy

Position Summary:

Winrock will identify three communities where residents travel long distances to diesel mills, and work with women entrepreneurs to install and operate solar-powered grain mills. Over six months, the entrepreneurs will run the mills, record milling data, and receive training and support from Winrock to evaluate performance and gather user feedback. Based on this pilot, Winrock will develop a feasibility study to scale up solar mill distribution to 50–100 communities and collaborate with solar companies, microfinance institutions, and the World Bank’s ADELE program to expand access through financing options. The project’s goal will be to demonstrate a revenue model for off-grid village solar milling. Winrock is seeking an Ethiopian-based Engineer who will be tasked with leading the program’s implementation. The Engineer will oversee the technical and administrative aspects of this project in coordination with Winrock’s Home Office and support from consultants.

ESSENTIAL Responsibilities:

• Select three pilot communities to carry out the solar milling pilots and lead the rapid assessment of their milling needs.
• Based on their size and grains milled determine the combination of mills, by sizes/types, that would be suitable for the respective communities.
• Oversee the engagement of one or more local solar suppliers to import six mills.
• Conduct an Expression of Interest to assess and select six interested women entrepreneurs for the solar mill trial.
• Negotiate agreements with each of the entrepreneurs to operate the mills for six months and decide at the end of that period whether they would purchase their mill at a discounted price or return it.
• Manage the distribution and installation of the solar mills and ensure entrepreneurs are keeping accurate revenue records.
• Compile and document mill operator revenues over the six months and conduct a return on investment analysis to determine payback period for mill investment.
• Compile and document customer demand for flour quality, grain type, and speed of service. Determine feasible business models, comparing dedicated flour grinding vs. multiple functions including flour grinding, grating, expelling, etc.
• Visit each of the three communities at least twice a month to check on the status of operation of the mills and review the records kept by the entrepreneurs
• Lead discussions with mill owners to document their experience in implementing the pilot.
• Produce a feasibility study report with recommendations for a follow-on scale up phase.
• Work closely with the Winrock Home Office to plan work and regularly monitor project progress and results.
• Identify any problems with project design, partnerships, or other implementation challenges, and recommend to Winrock Home Office changes needed to resolve them.
• Assist with collecting qualitative and quantitative data from private solar developers and pilot communities to inform project monitoring and evaluation.

Other Responsibilities:

• Coordinate closely with Home Office via emails and Teams-based meetings as necessary. Meetings may be scheduled during the evening time in Ethiopia.
• Independently manage and track their own technical work.
• Represent the project’s activities to the client and Government agencies as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Background: 

Education:           

• Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Natural Resource Management or Environment or related field.

Experience:         

• At least 5 years experience of professional experience in solar implementation project or energy management.
• Preferred experience in donor-funded programs, and in project design and management of projects at local and provincial levels in the solar sector.
• At least one experience of leading feasibility studies in Ethiopia.
• Experience in leading studies, data collection, or other Monitoring and Evaluation work.
• Experience and/or knowledge of working with finance institutions and/or entrepreneurs, preferred.

Skills/Knowledge:          

• English Language proficiency required.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, Amharic, and Afan Oromo required.  
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, such as Teams and Microsoft Word.

 Other:                    

• Must be able to travel throughout select regions of Ethiopia

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by law. 

At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.