Electrical Systems Engineer (Solar Power Grid) at Centre for Community Development and Research Network (CCDRN)

Position Summary

• The Electrical Engineering Specialist provides technical leadership and hands-on expertise for all electrical aspects of CCDRN's solar energy initiatives.
• This includes system design, technical specification development, installation quality assurance, commissioning, advanced troubleshooting, performance analysis, and capacity building for field staff.
• The position requires a strong foundation in electrical engineering principles, deep knowledge of solar PV technologies (including inverters, charge controllers, protection devices, monitoring systems, and potentially battery storage), and the ability to work effectively in both an office-based design/planning capacity and a field-based implementation/support capacity across diverse and potentially challenging project environments in Northeast Nigeria and surrounding areas.

Key Responsibilities
Electrical System Design & Specification:

• Conduct detailed electrical site assessments for potential solar installations.
• Design appropriately sized and configured solar PV electrical systems (including string design, inverter selection, cable sizing, protection coordination, grounding, and layout) based on load requirements and site conditions.
• Develop comprehensive Bills of Quantities (BoQ), technical specifications, and single-line diagrams (SLDs) for electrical components of solar PV systems.
• Ensure all designs comply with relevant Nigerian Electrical Codes, international standards (IEC, IEEE), and best practices for solar PV installations.
• Evaluate and recommend appropriate electrical technologies and components (inverters, controllers, batteries, switchgear, monitoring devices) based on project needs, cost-effectiveness, and reliability.

Installation Oversight & Quality Assurance:

• Provide technical oversight and quality control during the installation phase of solar electrical systems by contractors or internal teams.
• Review contractor installation plans and methodologies for electrical scope adherence.
• Conduct site inspections to ensure installations meet design specifications, safety standards, and quality benchmarks.
• Supervise and verify electrical testing and commissioning procedures, including insulation resistance testing, polarity checks, voltage/current measurements, and functional tests.
• Approve final electrical handover documentation.

Maintenance, Troubleshooting & Optimization:

• Develop and support the implementation of preventive maintenance schedules for electrical components of solar PV systems (inverters, switchgear, cabling, grounding).
• Provide expert-level troubleshooting support for complex electrical faults and performance issues across project sites.
• Analyze system performance data (energy yield, inverter efficiency, grid stability, if applicable) to identify areas for optimization.
• Oversee or conduct major electrical repairs and component replacements.
• Assess the condition and performance of existing solar electrical installations and recommend upgrades or refurbishments.

Technical Support & Capacity Building:

• Serve as the primary technical resource within CCDRN for solar electrical systems expertise.
• Provide technical guidance and support to project managers, field technicians, and facilities staff.
• Develop and deliver training materials and sessions on solar electrical system basics, safety procedures, and routine maintenance for local staff and operators.
• Stay abreast of advancements in solar electrical technology, standards, and best practices.

Documentation & Reporting:

• Maintain accurate technical documentation for all designed and implemented solar electrical systems, including as-built drawings, commissioning reports, and equipment specifications.
• Prepare regular reports on system performance, maintenance activities, electrical issues encountered, and project progress related to the electrical scope.
• Contribute technical input to project proposals and reports.

Qualifications and Skills
Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 4-5 years of demonstrable hands-on experience specifically in the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of solar PV systems (off-grid, grid-tied, or mini-grid).
• Strong understanding of electrical engineering principles, power electronics, PV technology, inverters, charge controllers, and protection devices.
• Proficiency in using solar design software (e.g., PVSyst, Helioscope) and electrical CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD).
• In-depth knowledge of relevant Nigerian and international electrical codes and safety standards.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex electrical systems.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal).
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently (up to 50-60% of the time) to project locations, including remote areas in Northeast and Northwest Nigeria.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Power Systems or Renewable Energy.
• Professional Engineering registration (COREN).
• Experience with battery energy storage systems (BESS) integration and management.
• Experience working on solar projects for NGOs.
• Experience managing contractors and installation teams.
• Familiarity with remote monitoring platforms for solar systems

Working Conditions:

• Base Location: CCDRN Office, Yobe.
• Travel: Frequent and extensive travel to project sites across Nigeria, primarily the Northeast and Northwest regions. Travel may involve basic accommodation and challenging logistics.
• Environment: Mix of office-based work (design, analysis, reporting) and field-based work (site assessments, supervision, troubleshooting, training) in potentially demanding physical and security environments.
• Requires adaptability, resilience, and strong cross-cultural communication skills.

Reporting Structure:

• Reports to: Facility Manager
• Collaborates closely with: Project Managers, Procurement Team, Facilities Managers/Officers, Field Technicians, and external contractors.
• May provide technical guidance or mentorship to junior technical staff or field technicians.