Position Title: Hydropower Engineer/(s) 
No. of Vacancy: 2
Line Manager: CEO
LOE: Full-time from appointment from April/ May 2022 onwards to 31st March 2023.

Background:

The Investment Board Nepal (IBN), established in 2011, is a high-level institution under the chairmanship of the Right Honourable Prime Minister for attracting and facilitating private investment including FDI and revitalizing Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Nepal. IBN functions as a central fast-track government agency to facilitate economic development in Nepal by creating an investment-friendly environment, mobilizing and managing domestic as well as foreign investments.

The Public Private Partnership and Investment Act, 2019 (PPPIA) empowers IBN to a) formulate policies on PPP and facilitate private sector investment for infrastructure projects; b) identify, select and prioritise viable projects to be implemented via PPP and private investment arrangements; c) approve project investment with project costs above Rs. 6 billion, or hydropower or energy related projects above 200 MW; d) conduct the appropriate preparatory studies for approved projects; and, e) provide recommendations to the Government to make available financial or non-financial incentives and facilities. Similarly, IBN is responsible for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects in its portfolio, the establishment and operationalization of a ‘one-stop-service centre’, coordination and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to promote Nepal as a competitive investment destination for FDI, among others.

The provisions of the Act require the Office of the Investment Board (OIBN) to identify, select and prioritise viable projects. A Hydropower Engineer/ (s) is required to support IBN with a) developing a better understanding of the viability of individual hydropower projects, specifically from planning and design perspective and b) support investors and OIBN with the development of proposals to enhance their likely success c) Assist OIBN in managing the implementation of the hydropower projects. In this context, it is intended to recruit 2 Hydropower Engineers to provide the necessary technical and management support and assist OIBN with the aforesaid functions. 

They shall report to the CEO IBN and APPIIC Team Leader.

Scope of Work:

His/her responsibilities will be to undertake and lead the appraisal, preparation, procurement for selection of private sector players for hydropower projects along with monitoring of implementation activities. In particular, he/she will carry out within their scope of work the following tasks:

• Conduct appraisal of hydropower projects, including their costs, benefits and risks, submitted by the private sector players.
• Independently prepare prefeasibility reports for hydropower projects
• Prepare preliminary cost estimates for different type of hydropower projects (RoR, peaking RoR, Storage etc). In addition, “technical” knowledge of pumped storage will be appreciated.
• Should have a “detailed” design experience for various projects and should be able to identify the “minima” in the technical standards which should be monitored by OIBN management in the contracts while being cognizant of the fact that adequate flexibility has to be given to the private sector to exploit value engineering benefits during design and implementation phase. 
• Identify and monitor the key performance indicators (KPIs) during design, construction, monitoring and handover phase of PPP projects in the hydro sector.  
• Manage/ Coordinate preparation of BoQ along with preparation of drawings (GFC) for PPP projects (hydropower). Monitor the BoQ including equipment and prepare database so that cost estimates are determined scientifically in OIBN, specifically from PPP perspective.
• Should be able to craft strategies for basin management including procuring/ interacting with technical experts.
• Design appropriate contracting packages for implementation of the projects. This will also include delineation of the roles and responsibilities which can be undertaken by Global/ Nepali Contractors.
• Analyse the hydropower policy of GoN and suggest changes for effective implementation. It is expected that the necessary global comparison will be carried out and the suggested changes will be practical in nature. 
• Understand the utilisation of energy from a supply and demand perspective and suggest/ craft contract structures so that the royalties, tariff charges (fixed & variable) etc. are designed appropriately. Interact intensively with the financial and economics team in OIBN to achieve this objective.
• Prepare ToR for selection of consulting firms/ experts to prepare detailed feasibility/ project reports and lead the procurement for the same. 
• Independently plan the implementation of hydropower projects and engage with necessary experts for effective monitoring. Assist in establishment of a PMU in OIBN for facilitating monitoring along with quality control & assurance activities.
• Communicate, coordinate and provide support to IBN’s other business units, specifically from civil engineering perspective.
• Perform any other relevant and instructed activities by the CEO and APPIIC Team Leader.
• Inputs as appropriate to OIBN’s and APPIIC’s internal and external monthly, quarterly, six-monthly/annual reporting requirements.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• B Tech/ BE (Civil Engineering) with specialization in various aspects of hydropower engineering/ development/ financing at the Master’s level. A minimum experience of 5 years is desirable.
• At least three years of working experience in project development (planning & design) or construction activities with strong focus on detailed designing within either a private sector developer/ contractor, bank, financial institution or government development-focused agency/authority
• Proven understanding of planning & design (preference for detailing)/appraisal, project development, implementation and management; and monitoring and evaluation
• Should be able to prepare sophisticated technical models (knowledge of customised technical software is a must) independently with sensitivity and scenario analysis. Individuals having knowledge of macros in excel will be preferred.
• Preference will be given to candidates who have been involved in project development in the hydropower sector.
• Proven experience in undertaking research and related publication
• IT software proficiency (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint) with good report-writing and presentation skills.
• Excellent command of written and spoken Nepali and English language
• A Nepali citizen or a resident in Nepal or an individual willing to relocate to Kathmandu , having worked abroad in the hydropower/ energy sector will be given preference.

Work Station:

The Consultant shall be based in IBN Office, Kathmandu and report to the CEO IBN.

Duration of Assignment: 

The total duration of the Consultant’s work will cover the period from recruitment (expected to be concluded by April/May 2022) to the end of the APPIIC project on the 31st March 2023.