LIRE - Renewable Energy/Water Purification R&D

Posted by Michael Evans to Lao Institute for Renewable Energy, 5th March 2010, 3:10pm
Location: Laos
Applications close 5th April 2010

Download the application form here (Word doc 131kB)

Partner Description

LIRE is an independent research and development organisation registered in the Lao PDR, offering energy-related, agronomical, technological and socio-environmental and economic research services, capacity building and training programs. LIRE’s core activity is the development of commercially-viable energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions as long-term alternatives to conventional practices.

Sunlabob is a Lao private commercial company, operating as a profitable, full-service renewable energy provider, extending commercially-viable energy services to remote areas. In 2008, Sunlabob launched an Energy Efficiency department, and focused on improving energy efficiency and supply in both rural and urban areas.

Together the two organisations share a common mission and have a strong record of developing the Lao energy sector through technology dissemination, advocacy, and fostering synergies between public and private sector actors. 

Position Background

The Sunlabob-LIRE joint engineering and R&D programmes span a broad range of technical fields, including: Rural electrification with village micro-hydro grids, Pico-hydro power for individual households and villages with low energy demand, Solar rechargeable lantern distribution systems for low income communities, Solar photovoltaic systems for rural and urban applications, Rural water supply, including solar powered drinking water purification, Domestic small scale biofuel, and waste water, sanitation and biogas.

The joint venture requires an EWB volunteer to contribute technically to R&D work for new products, and in the coordination and management of activities.  The EWB volunteer would support the function of general Engineering Manager, and in turn be supported by project teams in each of the fields described above.  An EWB Project Team can be formed to provide opportunities for support, and the applicable EWB Knowledge Hubs (eg. Power and Energy, Water and Sanitation and Hygiene hubs) will also be available to the EWB volunteer.

There are multiple fields of engineering which may be applicable to this role – in particular: Electrical; Power and Energy; Water and Sanitation; Environmental. This role would best suit an engineer with experience in renewable energy technologies, and an interest in R&D.

Key Activities 

• Assisting research and development of new products within the programs described above
• Capacity building of permanent staff in LIRE and Sunlabob, including producing training materials and delivering training sessions
• Development of standard operating procedures for all aspects of implementation projects from initial site assessment and quotation to construction, and monitoring and evaluation
• Assisting management and coordination of programs
• Facilitate partnerships with third parties for projects   

Timing

The role consists of three important phases beginning June 2010, including a 12-month field secondment commencing in August 2010.

Phase 1: Pre-departure – June 2010

• Pre-departure preparation (medical, training, administrative)
• Linking with EWB project team (Australia-based) if required for the project
• Linking with a local EWB chapter (enhancing your resources and sharing experience with members)

Phase 2: Field operations – 2010 (start date to be confirmed)

• Departure to host country and partner organization
• Orientation with support from existing EWB Field Officer and other established in-country field volunteers; introductions to LIRE staff
• Support research and development, management and technical operations

Phase 3: Post field alumni – 2011

• Return to Australia to collaborate with South East Asia management team and with and EWB chapter for a minimum period of 12 months
• Participate in various EWB events including the National Conference
• Participate in the development and dissemination of ‘Learning & Change’ materials within the EWB community
• Mentor future field volunteer preparing to work with South East Asian partner organisations

   

Applications

Please complete the volunteer application form and attach a statement addressing how you meet the selection criteria. We cannot assess applications that do not address the selection criteria.

Applications close on Monday 5th April 2010.

Please complete and return applications to Kim Axworthy, South East Asia Program Coordinator by email: k.axworthy@ewb.org.au

Or to EWB’s Perth office:
Engineers Without Borders Australia
c/o Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway, M015
Crawley, Western Australia, 6009

Please DO NOT attach CVs, references or any other documentation.

For more information contact Kim Axworthy;
Email: k.axworthy@ewb.org.au
Ph: +61 8 6488 8039

Criteria

Essential  

Desirable

• Awareness of development needs and challenges, eg. Understanding the essential roles of both public and private actors and commercial/non-commercial initiatives
• Experience in engineering projects in developing countries
• Interest in renewable energy and decentralised solutions
• Lao language knowledge desirable but not essential
• Experience of managing engineering projects and teams   

 

Personal Attributes

• Excellent interpersonal, negotiating, networking and communication skills
• Commitment to teamwork and capacity building techniques
• Ability to cope with cultural and professional isolation and possibly basic living conditions
• Patience, tolerance and flexibility
• Excellent health; physically and mentally capable of working in a new cultural setting in a potentially stressful environment

 

Additional Information

Volunteers will receive an allowance for living and basic accommodation.  Volunteers will be provided with airfares at the commencement and completion of the placement, plus basic travel insurance and emergency evacuation insurance.

Confirmation of secondment is subject to:

• Formal approval from EWB and the partner organisation.
• Procurement of visa and work permits.
• Satisfactory completion of a first aid certificate.
• Satisfactory participation in a pre-departure briefing run by EWB in July 2010
• A satisfactory medical examination for the applicant.
• A satisfactory criminal record check by the Australian Police for the applicant and all accompanying adults.

EWB adheres to statutory laws in Australia and foreign countries regarding child exploitation, child pornography and the abuse of children. We are committed to the protection of all children from all forms of harm.

Please log in to post a comment