In Sierra Leone, the Rural Renewable
Energy Project (RREP), a DFID-funded projec...
In Sierra Leone, the Rural Renewable
Energy Project (RREP), a DFID-funded project, is collaborating with the
Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) to supply up to 5 MW of sustainable renewable
electricity in rural communities through installations of at least 94 solar
mini-grids to be operated and managed by private sector partners.
The implementation of the
project is developed around five Work Packages (WP):
Work package 1 / 1+: 6kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) generation
plants at 54 Community Health Centres (CHCs) were installed between April and
July 2017. These generation plants were then extended into small mini-grids
with a capacity between 16kW and 36kW and distribution networks installed which
will eventually connect all other public institutions and households in 50 of
these communities. All 50 mini-grids are installed and ready for operation as
of October 2018.
Work package 2: aims to bring the
country’s photovoltaic (PV) power generation capacity up to 5MW by attracting
the private sector to invest in the mini-grid market while drawing on the
lessons of WP 1/1+. WP2 will install mini-grids in additional 40 communities with
>36kW systems (up to max. 200kWp) using sustainable business and delivery
models developed by the private sector.
Private sector operators
have been selected through a competitive tender process, and will take on
operation and maintenance of WP1/1+ mini-grids and co-invest in the development
of the WP2 sites. The operators will be responsible for the last mile
connection to identified customers and the in-house wiring of customer homes.
Work package 3: provides Technical
Assistance (TA) and institutional capacity building to the Ministry of Energy,
the Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission, other relevant government
agencies as necessary, as well as to private sector companies selected to
operate WP1 sites and co-invest in and operate WP2 sites.
Work Package 5: This work package focus
majorly on the Monitoring and Evaluation function. An M&E Plan including
Impact Evaluation design will be developed for learning and accountability.
Work Package 6: Private sector
development. Through this work package, RREP seeks to develop a private sector
engagement and strengthening strategy, underpinned by a keen understanding of
local market systems, to promote productive use economies in mini‐grid
catchment areas; supporting both the commercial viability of the privately
operated mini‐grids.
In its two years of implementation, RREP has
installed 50 mini-grids. These installations will be expanded in capacity
throughout the life of the project to 2020, with 44 additional installations.
The RREP
mini-grid sites are poised to be hubs of new and improved economic activities
generating better employment opportunities and incomes and fostering greater
social and economic welfare for communities.
UNOPS, Sierra
Leone is seeking a highly motivated and dynamic Senior Media &
Communications Analyst to develop the communication strategy and action plan to
support the objectives of the RREP project with the aim of expanding the
visibility of the project and the developmental results delivered and, ensure
the project is branded or marketed in way that is consistent with its intended
developmental outcomes. He/she will
report to the Team Leader, RREP Communications Sub Work Package, collaborate
with a small team dedicated to communication activities of the project.