A new consultant opportunity for a Mini-Grid Capacity Development Expert (System Protection) has been announced by Federal Government Of Somalia in Somalia. With 9 - 10 years of experience required, this position is suited for mid-to-senior level professionals in Development. Applications are open until Sep, 18. Don't miss this opportunity.
Terms of Reference (TOR)
Consultancy Title
Mini-Grid Capacity Development Expert (System Protection)
Project Name:
Africa Minigrid Project-Child Project
Type of Contract
Individual Contractor (IC)
Duration of Contract
3 Months
Background Information
Somalia continues to expand access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity through decentralized energy solutions, including solar hybrid mini-grids and other off-grid systems. Mini-grids are particularly important for communities and productive-use customers that are not yet connected, and they are increasingly operated by private sector developers and Energy Service Providers (ESPs). These actors are central to electricity access, local economic development, renewable energy deployment, system reliability, and customer service delivery.
Despite the growing role of the private sector in the energy access market, the mini-grid industry still faces technical, institutional, and coordination constraints. Developers and ESPs require stronger capacity in system design, operation and maintenance, protection of distribution and transmission lines, protection of substation equipment, protection coordination, short-circuit current analysis, fault investigation, safety practices, and use of power system analysis tools. At the same time, national industry associations need support to become more effective platforms for advocacy, knowledge-sharing, professional training, member services, standards promotion, and representation of private sector interests.
The
National Transformation Plan (NTP) 2025â2029)
also identifies the energy sector as a strategic enabler of Somalia's economic transformation, recognizing that reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy is fundamental to industrialization, productive sectors, private sector development, employment creation, and improved social services. The NTP prioritizes expanding energy access and infrastructure, promoting renewable energy development, reviving hydropower potential, advancing responsible oil and gas exploration, and strengthening the extractive sector through institutional reforms and increased investment. Under the NTP, the Government aims to increase national electricity access from
61.9% to 80% of the population by 2029
, with particular emphasis on underserved rural communities, internally displaced persons (IDP) settlements, and hard-to-reach areas. This will be achieved through investments in diversified renewable energy sourcesâincluding solar, wind, hydropower, decentralized mini-grids, and modern transmission and distribution infrastructureâwhile promoting public-private partnerships (PPPs) and bankable energy investments to accelerate nationwide electrification and support inclusive economic growth.
Furthermore, the NTP seeks to improve energy affordability and sector efficiency by
reducing national electricity tariffs by 50% by 2029
through comprehensive energy sector reforms. Key priorities include strengthening energy governance and regulatory institutions, expanding renewable energy generation, upgrading national grid and transmission networks, encouraging private sector participation through enabling policy and PPP frameworks, establishing technical electricity training institutions, and implementing a
Single Buyer Electricity Market Model
to integrate Somalia's fragmented electricity systems. The NTP also promotes long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), modernization of existing mini-grids, and development of a unified national electricity network to improve reliability, reduce operational costs, attract private investment, and ensure sustainable, affordable, and reliable electricity services that contribute to achieving Somalia's broader National Transformation Plan objectives.
This assignment will support these objectives by engaging a Mini-Grid System Protection and Capacity Development Expert to strengthen the technical capacity of national industry associations, private sector developers, and Energy Service Providers (ESPs). The assignment will also combine institutional strengthening with practical technical training to cover the priority areas such as electrical protection engineering, short-circuit current distribution, protection of distribution and transmission lines, protection of substation equipment, relay coordination, power system reliability, and practical use of engineering software such as ETAP and other equivalent tools.
The expert will work closely with the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR), relevant project teams, national industry associations, private sector mini-grid developers, ESPs, engineers, technicians, and other stakeholders. The work will contribute to a stronger, more professional, safer, and more reliable mini-grid industry in Somalia.
Objectives of the Assignment
The overall objective of the consultancy is to strengthen the technical and institutional capacity of national mini-grid industry associations, private sector developers, and Energy Service Providers through structured Technical training and practical knowledge sharing.
The specific objectives are to:
1.
Develop and deliver practical training on mini-grid operation, maintenance, protection systems, short-circuit current distribution, protection of distribution and transmission lines, and protection of substation equipment.
2.
Promote knowledge-sharing, networking, and linkages to good international practice for mini-grid market development.
Develop practical training materials, tools, guidance notes, monitoring templates, and knowledge products to support long-term the mini-grid sector capacitation.
About Somalia
Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa and has a growing job market, particularly in the humanitarian, development, and private sectors. Major employment hubs include Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Garowe, Baidoa, and Kismayo, with opportunities from international NGOs, UN agencies, government institutions, and an expanding private sector.
Ereyada Soomaaliga (Somali Keywords): La-talin ⢠Shaqo Cusub ⢠Shaqo Soomaaliya