Title Provision of capacity building support to UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes on solar-powered water systems

Émis par
UNICEF
Project Background
While the demand for solar-powered water systems continues to increase, the gap between the demand and the actual capacity to properly and safely design, install and operate/maintain solar- powered water systems continues to increase. While solar-powered water systems can result in reduced emissions, improved water efficiency and improved service delivery, these achievements are negated if the systems are not properly designed, installed or operated/maintained leading to unsustainable and unreliable services, a negative impact on the environment (including from over-abstraction) and lost investments for community resilience. To address the increasing gap, UNICEF is looking for a partner to a) provide Helpdesk support on solar-powered water systems (as and when requested) and b) design and deliver courses in key areas of solar-powered water systems as follows: 1. Basic course for solar-powered water systems (in-person, online in English and French) 2. Advanced course for solar-powered water systems (in-person, online in English and French) 3. Course on Operation and maintenance of solar-powered water systems (in-person in English and French) 4. Basic course on solar-powered water systems for Youth (in-person in English and French) Basic course for solar-powered water systems (in-person and online, in English and French) - It is assumed that course participants have no prior experience in solar-powered water systems - It is estimated by UNICEF that the course would take approx. 36 hours but this is an estimate and up to the partner to propose the structure/content - Course content should include the basic principles of solar-powered water systems (including factors to consider for the siting (irradiance etc), estimating current and future water demand, sustainable water estimates, climate resilience, pump selection, common failures) Advanced course for solar-powered water systems (in-person and online, in English and French) - It is assumed that course participants have experience in the design and operation of solar-powered water systems and have completed the Basic course and have an engineering/technical background - It is estimated by UNICEF that the course would take approx. 40 hours but this is an estimate and up to the partner to propose the structure/content - Course content should include the basic principles of solar-powered water systems (including factors to consider for the solar array design, installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance) Principles of Operation and Maintenance (in-person in English and French) - It is assumed that course participants have at least basic experience in the operation and maintenance of solar-powered water systems (mostly utility staff) but do not have an engineering background - It is estimated by UNICEF that the course would take approx. 30 hours but this is an estimate and up to the partner to propose the structure/content - Course content should include the basic principles of operation and maintenance of solar-powered water systems and common problems and key trouble-shooting solutions Basic solar course for Youth (in-person in English and French) - It is assumed that course participants have no experience in solar-powered water systems - It is expected that the participants have completed a basic level of school and are aged from 16 to 24 - It is expected that on completion of the course, a participant would understand the basics of a solar-powered water system and could undertake basic troubleshooting operations if a basic problem has occurred - It is estimated by UNICEF that the course would take approx. 25 hours but this is an estimate and up to the partner to propose the structure/content This partnership is expected to offer global support to UNICEF country offices (the listed countries are some of the expected countries to request support but not limited to these). UNICEF supports the installation of solar-powered water systems in communities, schools and healthcare facilities (individually and/or as multi-use systems) and so any capacity building would need to integrate the estimate of the complete power needs for schools and healthcare facilities and not just WASH-related needs. UNICEF is striving to ensure that all of its services are climate resilient. On this basis, all UNICEF solar-powered solar systems need to integrate water resource assessments (and sustainable yield) considerations as well as climate risk assessments. While it is expected that the vast majority of the support on solar will be for water systems, some support from the Helpdesk may be required for the application of solar systems for sanitation services (including wastewater).