Site O&M Engineer
PermanentJob Overview
Globeleq is a leading independent power producer operating and developing power projects in Africa. In Zambia, Globeleq Energy Zambia Limited (GEZL) has been appointed as the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) provider for the 27 MWp Lunsemfwa Solar PV Plant, owned by Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company Limited (LHPC). The plant is located at Lunsemfwa in the Kapiri District of Central Province, evacuates power via a 66 kV step-up substation and is targeting Commercial Operation Date (COD) on 26 June 2026.
The Site O&M Engineer will provide expert technical support to the on-site team and may also be expected to provide ad-hoc technical support to the development of new operational assets.
The Site O&M Engineer holds the technical change management responsibility, which is implemented on site by the O&M teams. The Site O&M Engineer designs and implements change control systems to ensure technical changes within the operational assets are executed correctly.
The Site O&M Engineer will be responsible for maintaining and improving the operational Authorisation Framework at the Lunsemfwa Solar PV Plant in line with the Zambia Electricity Act, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) Grid Code and good utility-scale industry practice.
The role will require routine travel for onsite activities.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide expert technical support to the business
- Make sure post construction punch list items are all resolved.
- Participate in performance ratio (PR) testing are see to it that tests are executed in-line with industry standards and best practices
- Provide specialist primary and secondary plant support to technicians
- Provide specialist insight on equipment condition based on data collected through engineering systems (SCADA, CMMS, plant performance monitoring, thermography, power quality, etc.)
- Develop and maintain the list of approved technical professional services contractors
- Drive engineering-focused improvement initiatives and liaise with the Globeleq engineering specialists where required
- Advise on maintenance best-practice guides in line with OEM recommendations and the Globeleq Asset Management standards
- Drive initiatives to implement and integrate site OT systems including the SCADA and Aveva Pi systems
- Identify and understand SCADA, data-collection and automation systems on site to support integration with third-party systems
- Drive initiatives to reduce risk exposure
- Act as engineering representative in relevant management committee forums
- Provide ad-hoc technical feedback on maintenance activities and plant condition
- Identify training needs for technicians and perform internal technical training as necessary
- Maintain daily energy-meter readings and hourly-ahead generation declarations to the Network Operator (ZESCO / LHPC National Control Centre, as applicable)
- Perform switching of 66 kV high-voltage equipment and 33 kV VCB & RMU switchgear in line with the site Switching Procedures and the ERB Grid Code
- Review tasks completed by technicians through the CMMS (IFS or equivalent)
- Review SCADA alarms and provide guidance to technicians
- Report periodically to the Site Manager, preparing and compiling KPI, Corrective Maintenance (CM) and Preventive Maintenance (PM) reports
- Liaise with OEM Service Engineers and Globeleq engineering specialists in the event of any major equipment failure on the plant
- Devise strategies to reduce equipment downtime and optimise overall production
- Liaise with the Network Operator's Control Centre engineers for switching and to maintain a healthy grid interface
- Participate in RCAs where required
2. Change management
- Ensure that the engineering change-control system is properly implemented and maintained
- Manage the technical document governance process
- Manage the spare parts and consumables obsolescence process
3. Project engineering
- Identify need/gap and define project scope in consultation with relevant stakeholders
- Lead or assist in the contractor procurement process
- Lead or assist in project management/execution
- Participate in project review and close-out
4. Switching and Operational Authorisation
- Act as Supervisor of Switching
- Manage and improve the operational Authorisation Framework in line with the Zambia Electricity Act, the ERB Grid Code, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and good industry practice
- Attend relevant safety forums and represent the Switching function
- Train switching operators and officers
- Define training standards for operators and supervisors
- Sign off on deviations to the maintenance plan
- Attend incident investigations
- Act as external examiner in authorisation assessments
And any other duties, as assigned by the Site Manager, in line with the role.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Able to analyse complex technical problems to ascertain and address the root cause
- Able to explain complex technical concepts to a variety of audiences
- Able to balance technical and commercial considerations in making recommendations
- Working knowledge of computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS)
- Very good MS Word and MS Excel skills, good MS PowerPoint skills, and exposure to MS Project (or similar) is an advantage
- Strong verbal communication: able to express ideas clearly face-to-face and in meetings, and to persuade others without direct authority
- Strong written communication, including clear report writing, concise emails and competent presentation skills
- Able to manage stress and high-pressure situations
- Demonstrates initiative and is able to work independently
- Good team player; able to balance team and individual responsibilities