University Research Co., LLC (URC)
Guided by a strong vision of equitable and resilient systems that respond to people’s needs and emerging threats, URC helps countries and local actors to build, implement, and sustain science-driven, scalable solutions. Established in 1965, URC offers a range of technical expertise to empower governments, communities, and service providers toward strengthening their own health and social systems and improve service quality. We aim to expand access to and improve the quality of services, addressing maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health; global health security and infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria; reproductive health and family planning; nutrition and water, sanitation, and hygiene. In our interactions with each other and our clients, we stay true to our values for transformative change by focusing on:
- Creativity: by unleashing our creativity, we enhance engagement and interaction to improve problem-solving.
- Collaboration: not only our work towards the same vision and mission instill staff with a strong sense of purpose, but also enables us to complement each other’s skills and allocate work to maximize everyone’s strengths.
- Accountability: we hold ourselves responsible for accomplishing goals, completing assignments, and making decisions.
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion: we embrace the importance of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, where our leadership and staff model behavior that enriches our organization, demonstrates respect for all people, and supports opportunities for all staff.
- Transparency: we understand that when employees deeply trust one another and their leaders, they will be more engaged in their roles because they will not be worried about unfair treatment.
Overview:
URC is seeking an experienced Electrical Engineer for the anticipated Department of State-funded Powering Health System Performance: Sustainable Energy Solutions for Uganda’s Health Facilities project . The project will support the Government of Uganda (GOU) to expand reliable and sustainable power solutions for priority health facilities while strengthening the systems and capacity needed to manage and sustain energy investments over the long term. The project will combine sustainable energy technologies with remote monitoring, asset management, preventive maintenance, performance management, and government capacity strengthening to improve the reliability of essential health services and health information systems. The electrical Engineer will provide client-side technical oversight and coordination of the planning, design, installation, supervision, testing, commissioning, training and handover of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and associated electrical works across project-supported sites.
The Engineer will oversee the performance of the appointed design and supervision firm and provide independent technical oversight of service providers implementing the works. The position will ensure that designs and installations comply with approved technical requirements, contractual obligations, applicable Government of Uganda standards and regulations, and good engineering practice.
The Engineer will work closely with the Senior Projects Engineer, project technical teams, consultants, suppliers, health facility management teams, Ministry of Health engineers, government stakeholders, and other relevant parties to support the timely, cost-effective, safe, and sustainable delivery of solar and electrical infrastructure.
Job Summary:
The Electrical Engineer will provide technical leadership and independent client-side oversight of solar PV and associated electrical works throughout the project lifecycle. The Engineer will review designs and technical submissions, oversee the performance of the design and supervision consultant, monitor installation activities, and independently verify the quality, progress, quantities, and compliance of completed works.
The position will also provide technical input on supplier performance, payments, variations, claims, quality issues, testing and commissioning, and project close-out. The Engineer will identify and address technical risks and provide clear professional recommendations to URC management to ensure that installations are fit for purpose, within approved budgets and timelines, and capable of delivering the intended long-term benefits to supported health facilities.
Responsibilities:
- Provide overall technical oversight of the design, installation, testing, commissioning, and handover of solar PV and associated electrical works.
- Oversee the performance of the appointed design and supervision consultant, including review of designs, technical deliverables, supervision reports, quality assurance, measurements, payment recommendations, and technical recommendations.
- Review and approve technical submissions, including designs, drawings, specifications, BOQs, equipment schedules, method statements, shop drawings, and material submissions.
- Monitor and independently verify construction works, through regular site inspections to ensure contractors comply with approved designs, specifications, standards, and contractual requirements.
- Verify quantities, quality, and workmanship and provide technical input into supplier payment certificates, progress assessments, variations, claims, and extensions of time.
- Identify and resolve technical issues, including design deficiencies, defects, non-conformities, delays, safety concerns, and other project risks.
- Monitor quality assurance and compliance, ensuring solar and electrical works meet applicable Ugandan regulations, standards, safety requirements, and good engineering practice.
- Oversee testing and commissioning, including verification of system performance, electrical protection, batteries, inverters, earthing, and other critical components before acceptance.
- Manage technical documentation and reporting, including site inspection reports, progress reports, technical assessments, commissioning records, as-built drawings, warranties, and handover documentation.
- Support coordination and stakeholder engagement with the project team, consultant, contractors, health facilities, government stakeholders, and other relevant parties to ensure timely and successful delivery of the works.
- Oversee and coordinate training of health facility users and relevant personnel on the safe and effective operation, basic maintenance, troubleshooting, and management of the installed solar PV systems, including the use of remote monitoring platforms to track system performance, identify alerts and faults, and facilitate timely reporting and resolution of technical issues.
Qualifications:
Required Experience and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field from a recognized institution.
- At least seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in electrical engineering, solar PV, installation supervision, infrastructure, or related projects.
- Demonstrated experience in client-side/owner’s representative technical oversight, including supervision of design and supervision consultants and suppliers.
- Strong experience in solar PV design and implementation, including review of designs, drawings, BOQs, specifications, equipment, installation, testing, and commissioning.
- Experience in site inspection, quality assurance/control, measurement and verification of works, payment certification, variations, claims, snagging, and handover.
- Experience reviewing and preparing technical, progress, inspection, commissioning, and project close-out reports.
- Knowledge of Ugandan electrical, construction, and occupational health and safety requirements, as well as relevant international standards.
- Experience with donor-funded, government, health facility, institutional, or infrastructure projects is an added advantage.
- Professional registration with the relevant Ugandan engineering regulatory body is desirable.
- Ability to interpret electrical drawings, single-line diagrams, specifications, calculations, and BOQs, and independently assess technical recommendations.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, project management, communication, coordination, and interpersonal skills.
- Willingness and ability to undertake frequent field visits across multiple project sites and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
