Tender: Support for the development of regional solar energy qualification frameworks and curricula in ECOWAS, EAC and the Pacific Community, Deadline extended to: 30 January 2023

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA), with funding of the Government of France, are implementing the project “Structuring of an International Network of Solar Technology and Application Resource Centres”. The overall objective it to create a strong network of institutional capacities within ISA Member States to enhance quality infrastructure (QI) for the uptake of solar energy product and service markets, particularly in LDCs and SIDS. 

 

The first phase of the STAR C project will focus on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the East African Community (EAC) and the Pacific Community (SPC)/Pacific Island Forum (PIF). To have more impact and to create economies of scale, the STAR C has adopted a regional approach, which aims at cross-border harmonisation of solar qualification frameworks.

Previous interventions of UNIDO on QI and qualification programmes within the regions have demonstrated the added value and benefits of regional approaches. In this context, UNIDO has supported several economic communities, including ECOWAS, EAC and SPC, in the establishment of QF and certification policies, procedures, and development of solar skills within the regional energy centres under the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC) program. The STAR C is part of the south-south and triangular activities of the centres under the GN-SEC platform. The STAR C implementation will benefit the established institutional infrastructure and lessons learned from these interventions.  

The STAR C project builds a strong partnership with the GN-SEC centres and regional QF bodies and their national focal institutions (e.g. energy ministries and national standardisation bodies). ECREEE in Cape Verde, EACREEE in Uganda and PCREEE in Tonga are already involved to some extent in regional solar qualification and certification programs with the involvement of training institutions, ministries in the  respective region. 

In this context, UNIDO and ISA are seeking international advisory support for the development of regional certification and qualification frameworks to strengthen the regional integration and mobility of solar professionals within ECOWAS, EAC, and the Pacific Community. The Contractor will also support the development of a training course on solar technology. This assignment is complementary to another that focuses on the development of regional QI frameworks and management systems for solar energy products and services in the same regions. A competitive tender is being launched simultaneously. Interested bidders can participate in both procurements. 

All three concerned regions are highly interested in meeting the increasing demand for solar energy professionals. The regions want to develop and strengthened (where existing) the qualification frameworks as a tool to interpret national qualifications. They also share significant solar potential and high interest in utility-scale, off-grid, and distributed renewable energy systems, including stand-alone, mini-grids, and solar thermal applications. They are also strengthening efforts for local sustainable energy entrepreneurship and innovation.

This assignment, will serve as the building blocks for a long-term solar qualification process to be implemented in partnership with the regional economic communities (RECs) within their Regional Qualification Frameworks (RQF) or Nation Qualification Frameworks (NQFs) committees. Due to the limited financial scope, the assignment will not include the development of new regional qualification committees but will endeavor to improve the transparency, recognition, comparability, and portability of people’s qualifications throughout the region by working with RQFs in the assigned regions.

Qualified and interested bidders are invited to apply by 30 January 2023 17:00:00 CET. Further information you find at: https://www.unido.org/resources-procurement/procurement-opportunities 

 

Original Link : Tender: Support for the development of regional solar energy qualification frameworks and curricula in ECOWAS, EAC and the Pacific Community, Deadline: 16 January 2023 | Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centers (GN-SEC)