1 TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE SENIOR CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER-PIU

1.1 Background

The Government of Uganda (GoU) has received funding from the World Bank for the implementation of the Electricity Access Scale-up Project (EASP) to be implemented over a period of five (5) years. EASP will support GoU’s efforts to increase access to electricity for households, refugee and host communities, industrial parks, commercial enterprises and public institutions. This is intended to spur socio-economic transformation, in line with Uganda’s Vision 2040, the National Development Plan (NDP III), Electricity Connection Policy (ECP) 2018 and to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) of achieving universal energy access by 2030. EASP activities will build on earlier Government initiatives in the energy sector, to support the expansion and strengthening of the electricity distribution network, scale-up service connections within the network, and increase access to off-grid electricity in refugee settlements and their host communities (outside the existing electricity distribution network), and to clean cooking services and technologies.

The Electricity Access Scale up Project (EASP) will contribute to supporting the realization of the ECP objectives and will be implemented on an Investment Project Finance (IPF) approach. The EASP will be implemented by two main entities, namely the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) and the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company Limited (UECCC). The two main entities will implement closely with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Water and Environment (MoWE), Ministry of Local Government (MoLG), Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAIIF), Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT), electricity distribution Service Providers, and other relevant sector stakeholders to implement the various project activities.

A Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will be established at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) to implement activities relating to grid expansion and connectivity, including scaling up of last-mile connectivity while supporting the necessary network expansion and strengthening through construction of grid extensions, upgrades, and intensification. Grid extension will involve investments in MV and LV network, together with the necessary transformer installations, to enable connection of households and high-priority areas such as industrial parks, commercial consumers, and public institutions. For industrial parks, the project will finance construction of internal distribution networks and MV networks required for connection of the parks to the main transmission system. The PIU at MEMD will also be responsible for expansion of the enabling infrastructure that is critical to increase access to electricity within Refugee Hosting Districts (RHDs), including implementation of last-mile connection of household, commercial, industrial, and public institution consumers within the RHDs.

In order to support the effective and efficient overall management and implementation of grid expansion and network strengthening activities, as well as electricity service connection activities under EASP, MEMD seeks to engage the services of a Senior Construction Engineer to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the EASP.

1.2 Objective of the Assignment

The Senior Construction Engineer will provide oversight management of the construction activities under the EASP project. The role will include responsibility for contract management, project execution, monitoring and supervision of construction works to ensure that project objectives are achieved in a timely manner.

1.3 Scope of Work

The scope of work will include but is not limited to the following:-

• i. Supervise Contract Management by the Planning Design and Supervision Consultant (PDSC) during the construction phase which involves;

  • a. Ensuring submission of securities by the contractor;

  • b. Verification and certification of securities under the project;

  • c. Ensuring key contractual deliverables throughout implementation period;

  • d. Ensuring contract effectiveness;

  • e. Reporting compliance and completeness of key reporting requirements and deliverables;

• ii. Oversee the execution of project construction activities to ensure that the project deliverables are achieved with in the contracted scope, time, quality and cost;

• iii. Where applicable, participate in the approval of the materials, testing and quality control protocols of materials to ensure quality compliance;

• iv. Review, analyze and validate progress reports submitted by contractors and consultant on the project progress;

• v. Carry out project monitoring, control, quality management and reporting throughout the project construction phase;

• vi. Review of detailed engineering design drawings and other relevant documentation prior to manufacturing and commencement of works at site.

• vii. Review, update and approve monthly progress reports and deliverables throughout the implementation period;

• viii. Review payment certificates and consultancy fee invoices and submit as necessary for payment and to ensure timely payment of contractors’ invoices and consultancy fee notes;

• ix. Participate in project inspection visits and site meetings; ensuring the key stakeholders are represented during the meetings;

• x. Review and approve consolidated project progress reports on a quarterly and annual basis, as well as special reports as may be required in a format acceptable to funder;

• xi. Coordinate in collaboration with the PDSC, project site launch and site handover activities of the new project and ensuring the participation of key stakeholders of the project;

• xii. In collaboration with the PDSC, schedule and facilitate network precommissioning and commissioning activities and facilitate handover of completed project works as detailed in the contract;

• xiii. In collaboration with the Social Safeguard Unit at MEMD, monitor the project’s compliance with environmental and social safeguard instruments that include, among others, the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), the Environmental and Social Management Plan(ESMP), the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and all relevant Word Bank policies as detailed in the Project’s Financing Agreement; to ensure timely submission of the contractor’s ESMP implementation report, to review for completeness in conjunction with the environmental unit and to facilitate environmental audit exercise during the project closure;

• xiv. Any other duties that may be assigned by the Grid Expansion Manager, PIU provided these duties contribute to achieving the development objectives of the EASP project.

1.4 Person Specifications

a) Qualifications

i. Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Electrical/Power Systems) from a recognized University;

ii. Master’s Degree in Engineering (Electrical Power Systems) / Energy/ Management / Business Administration/Project Planning and Management / Project Monitoring and Evaluation;

iii. Registration with the Engineers Registration Board.

b) Experience
i. At least Eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in project management preferably in Uganda’s electricity sector;
ii. Demonstrated experience in at least two (2) energy infrastructure construction projects financed by Multilateral/Development Financial Institutions such as the World Bank, ADB, AFD, KfW, China Exim Bank or equivalent.

c) Competencies
i. Technical
a. Communication skills
b. Negotiation and mediation
c. Problem solving and decision making
d. Planning, organizing and coordinating
e. Knowledge management
f. Analytical skills and Strategic thinking
g. Information and communication technology

ii. Behavioral
a. Assertiveness and Self confidence
b. Ethics and Integrity
c. Self-control and stress management
d. Flexibility
e. Concern for quality and standards

1.5 Reporting Obligations
The Senior Construction Engineer shall report to the Grid Expansion Manager, PIU.

1.6 Duration of the Assignment
The assignment shall be for a period of eighteen (18) months, renewable subject to satisfactory performance.

1.7 Duty Station

The Senior Construction Engineer position shall be based in Kampala and stationed at the MEMD with frequent travel to the project implementation sites / areas for monitoring or as and when need arises.