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Job Description

Grid Integration/Grid Codes Specialist

 (Full Time Employee Position)

USAID Clean Power Asia Program, Bangkok Based

Abt Associates, a global leader in technical assistance, program implementation and international development, seeks qualified individuals to fulfill the position of GRID INTEGRATION AND GRID CODES SPECIALIST (GIC Specialist) for the USAID Clean Power Asia program, reporting to the Task 2 Lead (RE Policy) with additional support to the Task 1 Lead (RE planning).  This position is full-time, based in Bangkok, Thailand. While there are no nationality requirements for applicants, it should be noted that neither allowances nor relocation will be considered or offered to the successful candidate. Applicants must be able to begin work on-site within three weeks of acceptance. This position may require occasional travel and regular work outside of the office that is exempt from overtime pay.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Clean Power Asia program is a multi-year U.S. government-funded initiative that supports governments and the private sector in the Lower Mekong countries of Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam to scale up investment in grid-connected renewable energy (RE). The Program provides assistance and expertise in energy planning and effective policy, regulatory, and technical environment for low-emissions growth in the power sector, while simultaneously attracting public- and private-sector investment in RE development.

Overall Responsibilities of the GIC Specialist:

• Analyze LM countries’ and ASEAN member states (MS) regulations in order to address key regulatory barriers and encourage the other countries to emulate (and potentially surpass) Thailand’s progress in developing appropriate grid interconnection regulations and codes needed to encourage investments and scale up VRE deployment.
• Support the development and management of USAID Clean Power Asia activities under Task 2 to foster policies and regulations to improve the technical framework for integrating VRE into the grid. These activities will be designed to increase the understanding of policy-makers, regulators and utility stakeholders on how other LM and ASEAN countries that have successfully deployed VRE and concurrently maintained grid stability by introducing grid integration regulations and appropriate grid codes.
• Monitor existing, and propose new, indicators for the M&E plan by assisting with developing and reporting on progress in promoting appropriate technical regulations to support VRE integration
• Serve as the primary focal point for the program on grid integration and grid codes;
• Develop and nurture relationships with other donors, NGOs, government counterparts, utilities, private sector actors and others in the region who are currently involved in grid integration and grid code technical assistance and capacity-building programs;

 Position Specific Responsibilities

The GIC Specialist will lead overall activities under the program’s related tasks which are integrated into Task 1 RE Planning and Task 2 RE Policy, under the direct supervision of the Task 2 Lead and with guidance from the Task 1 lead as required.  Specific anticipated tasks in the coming year include but are not limited to:

1. Grid Code Tasks

• Review scope of work for firm to develop grid code/interconnection regulations for solar PV in Lao PDR, review proposal, finalize scope of work and coordinate with COP and operations team to finalize agreement for firm to implement the work. Monitor implementation.
• Liaise with HNEI who is providing the following inputs for tasks in the CPA year 2 work plan:
  • Technical annex for solar PPA template, to be used in planned pilot solar auction in Lao PDR;
  • Presentation on “no regrets grid code development” at planned solar policy and regulation workshops in Cambodia and Lao PDR, and potentially in VN; and
  • Coordinate with HNEI on potential regional workshops to be focused on grid codes.
• Analyze and identify the challenges and required changes to power system operations to incorporate high levels of variable RE in order to answer “How much variable RE can an existing power system handle?” and propose the next step for interconnection regulations to foster the next level of VRE integration into the national power systems.
• Engage with government agencies and state-owned utilities to address the benefits of adopting grid integration regulations and upgrading their grid codes in order to facilitate VRE penetration of solar and wind power in their power generation and distribution systems while maintaining grid reliability and stability. These grid integration research findings and the proposed enabling interconnecting regulations could be presented to government agencies and other stakeholders through organized meeting(s), focus group discussion, a workshop or at appropriate training course with the related stakeholder.

2. Grid Integration and flexibility planning

• Analyze and identify the challenges and required changes to grid planning and to incorporate high levels of variable RE. Also focus on what analytical techniques are required/in use for utilities to understand how VRE targets in PDPs will impact the grid and propose technical assistance to foster the next level of VRE integration into the national power systems.
• Utilize results of any grid integration studies carried out by IEA and HNEI (in Thailand) and by other donors and the private sector (i.e. GE in Lao PDR) in order to promote higher RE target setting, improvement of grid flexibility/reliability, and decrease of grid operation costs, and enabling greater cross-border trade.
• Liaise with HNEI who is providing the following inputs for tasks in the CPA year 2 work plan:
  • Help identify opportunities for HNEI to assist utilities with detailed grid analysis to achieve VRE targets in PDPs in LM countries and potentially Indonesia and The Philippines. Identify appropriate role for USAID Clean Power Asia, working with HNEI.
  • Engage with government agencies, stated-owned utilities and the private sector to address the benefits of grid integration in order to set higher RE penetration of VRE (Solar and wind resources) in PDPs and related power sector plans while maintaining grid reliability and stability. This could be presented at organized meeting(s), focus group discussions, workshops or training course with related stakeholders.

3. Other Tasks

• Participate in developing and monitoring implementation of the annual work plan.
• Manage staff and consultants working on grid integration/grid code tasks, as required, including:
  • Drafting scopes of work, selecting consultants or employees to provide short-term technical assistance (STTA) and monitoring progress and deliverables.
• Reviewing and approving deliverables/final work products of consultants or STTA.
• Other duties to be determined in conjunction with the COP and USAID.

Required Qualifications (applicants not holding the required qualifications or equivalent will not be considered)

• Minimum five (5) years experience working on VRE grid integration and grid codes in developing countries.
• Progressive experience working on donor-funded projects providing capacity building and/or technical assistance related to power sector and grid planning and regulation.
• Progressive experience leading technical teams to develop reports and deliverables to meet project and client needs.
• Experience developing working relationships with power sector actors at the national level, including ministries, regulators, planning agencies, transmission system operators, distributors (and other utilities depending on sector organization).
• Minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is required.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• A minimum of five (5) years experience in research and writing technical documents in related subject matters.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates may express their interest by emailing recruitment@usaidcleanpowerasia.com

referencing “GIC Specialist” in the subject line. Deadline for applications is April 18, 2018. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

To be considered for the position, your emailed application MUST INCLUDE the following information; failure to provide this information will result in your application being removed from consideration.

1. A written expression of interest summarizing your qualifications for the position. The expression of interest must address each of the required qualifications or your application may be considered incomplete.
2. CV clearly indicating work/consulting history and either daily consulting rate or annual compensation for each consultancy/position, stated in currency of payment.
3. Preference will be given to nationals of the Lower Mekong countries and those with immediate availability. No allowances, including relocation, will be available to the successful candidate.

 Additional Documentation

If a candidate is selected for an interview, the following documents will be required. While not required as part of the initial application, Abt appreciates candidates who chose to submit these documents as part of the application package:

1. US Federal Form 1420 (EBD) https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-1420-17
2. Proof of Education/Degree attained (transcript or diploma)
3. Proof of annual salary or daily consulting rate as stated in the EBD (acceptable forms include employment agreement, pay stubs, employer verification letter).

Due to the volume of anticipated applicants, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Interviews will be scheduled as warranted and may be conducted in person or via electronic means.

Abt Associates is doing business as Abt Associates Thailand, registered with the Thailand Department of Commerce.  Abt Associates is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce.