The 15 MW hydropower project on the island of Guadalcanal is the first large-scale infrastructure project to be developed as a public-private partnership in the Solomon Islands, and the first utility-scale renewable energy project. It is designed to help lower electricity prices by reducing dependence on expensive diesel generation through an increase in the share of renewable energy, whilst helping the country to meet its climate change mitigation targets.
The Tina Hydro Project Office under the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification is responsible for the coordination of the project activities to ensure the project company, the Tina Hydropower Limited as implementing entity responsible for the hydropower facility and access road and the national electricity provider, Solomon Power, as offtaker under the power purchase agreement fulfil their obligations under the project agreements. The Project Office has a fundamental advisory role to the Government of the Solomon Islands, ensuring that the interests of the government are protected in line with the project agreements. The Project Office is responsible for monitoring and supporting the implementation of the social and environmental safeguard arrangements, the Gender Action Plan and Community Development Plan, and maintaining the dam Safety Advisory Panel and the Lender’s Technical Advisor including the independent social and environmental monitoring agent. The Project Office also supports entities participating in the implementation arrangements agreed under the land acquisition process, the communities in utilizing their share of project benefits for community development, and the tribes which would be interested and committed to the establishment of a protected area in the upper catchment.
Interested candidates should have a Masters qualification in engineering or project management, as well as a minimum of fifteen years of professional project management experience gained on hydropower, pumped storage and/or major infrastructure projects (feasibility to construction, full life cycle incl. civil, electro/mechanical, operation and maintenance). The candidate should also have
previous work experience in managing or working at senior technical level in hydropower or a power facility, and experience working with and management of interfaces with private and public project implementation agencies and multilateral funding agencies (World Bank, ADB, IFC, GFC, DFAT, etc.);
A full curriculum vitae, cover letter detailing motivation and suitability to the required qualifications and experience should be sent to Dr. Chris Vehe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, P O Box G37 Honiara, Solomon Islands; E-mail: CVehe@mmere.gov.sb
A copy of the complete application documents should also be sent to Glen Ainsworth, Safeguards Manager, Tina Hydro Project Office, Level 1 Anthony Saru Building, Honiara, Solomon Islands; E-mail: office@tina-hydro.com. For further information, contact: Fred Conning, Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification; Tel.: +677 25133; E-mail: fred.conning@tina-hydro.com
