Country: Myanmar
Closing date: 07 Jul 2017
TERMS OF REFERENCE • LAB TRAINING
CONTEXT
The Group for the Environment, Renewable Energy and Solidarity (GERES) is an
international non-profit organization headquartered in France and active in Southeast Asia for the
last 20 years.
Environmental conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, reducing energy poverty,
and improving livelihood of the poor are the main focus areas for GERES. The GERES team is
particularly involved in the implementation of engineering solutions for development and
providing specific technical expertise. Activities include conducting energy efficiency programs,
providing decentralized energy services for local economic development, supporting and
developing renewable energies and promoting waste management. These activities are always
implemented in partnership with local stakeholders and communities based on collaborative
experience sharing.
GERES is a member of “Comité de Liaison des Énergies Renouvelables” (CLER), “Comité Français
de Solidarité Internationale” (CFSI), “Comité 21”, “International Network For Sustainable Energy”
(INFORSE), “Global Compact”, “MEDCOOP” (a collective for Mediterranean aid), “Groupe
Initiative”, “F3E”, “Coordination SUD” and the “Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves”.
Reducing biomass consumption through ICS (Improved Cookstoves) is one of the widely-
recognized measures taken to strengthen economies at the household scale. In particular, it
contributes to the livelihoods of women and children by reducing negative impacts on health,
providing cleaner kitchens, saving time and money spent on collecting cooking fuel, and freeing
time for income generation and livelihood activities. Improved cookstoves also have positive
impacts on the environment, namely mitigating climate change by reducing CO 2 emissions from
the inefficient use of non-renewable biomass and reducing pressure on forest resources.
Cookstove production in Myanmar remains largely non-standardized and fragmented. The
performance of the cookstoves that are produced and sold remains unknown and their efficiency
is contested. Consumers rarely have information on the quality, performance or safety of such
equipment. Furthermore, the absence of stove testing Facilities, of common stove performance
protocols and of any standard are one of the main constraints to quality control and regulation of
this informal market.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Group for the Environment, Renewable Energy and Solidarity (GERES) in Myanmar is
implementing the “Upscaling Improved Cookstove Dissemination in Myanmar through replication
of best practices from Cambodia and the region” (SCALE) Project.
The project aims to preserve the environment and improve the living condition of the Myanmar
people by reducing fuel wood consumption, emissions of greenhouse gases, costs of household
energy, and ultimately enhancing the sustainability of ongoing renewable energy services.
Specifically, the project will contribute to the switch to sustainable consumption patterns and
behavior by providing biomass fuel consumer groups in Myanmar with better market-based access
to quality Improved Cookstove (ICS) products. This will be achieved through fostering local
production and distribution of affordable, locally appropriate and standardized improved
cookstoves by entrepreneurs in Myanmar; as well as targeted, gender-sensitive promotion and
marketing. The project will also help to create conditions needed to further develop the sector by
supporting the establishment of national testing and stove development facility with the mandate
to provide regulatory and quality assurance support.
To achieve these results, GERES is working with several partners, the main one being Ever Green
Group (EGG) as an implementing partner.
The project is funded by the European Union (SWITCH Programme) and co-funded by the French
Development Agency, the Fondation Lord Michelham of Hellingly, the Fondation Raja Danièle
Marcovici and the Albert II of Monaco Fondation. The implementation started in January 2014 and
will end in January 2018. The total budget of the Action is 2.4 million euros.
OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY
Through the SCALE project, a laboratory was put in place inside the Forest Research Institute in
Yezin. This laboratory, equipped among other with a LEMS, allows comprehensive testing of
cookstove technologies (fuel consumption, thermal efficiency, PM emission etc.).
The overall objective of this consultancy is to strengthen the capacity of the Forest Research
Institute in the use of the Biomass Cooking Technology Laboratory in Yezin.
It is expected that the laboratory will continue to be used after the end of the project and become
a reference for cookstove practitioners in Myanmar and the sub region.
- Review and Update of a Lab Management Manual
The Lab Management Manual must be easy to understand, comprehensive and allow issue
diagnosis and step by step remediation.
Preliminary documents were developed at the lab opening; however, they would need to be
updated and operationalized.
- Development of a service catalog
Based on existing cost analysis, the consultant will develop a service catalog for the Lab. This
service catalog should include:
• An easy to use file to determine the cost of a specific testing service
• Templates for proforma invoice, invoice
• Template for testing reports
• Template for final testing certificate
- Trainee Selection
To allow a relevant selection of the trainees, the consultant will support GERES and FRI in
identifying the selection criteria as well as the way to assess the capability of the training
candidates.
- Update and development of training modules
Based on the existing training modules developed in 2014-2015, the consultant will update and
arrange the content to meet the needs and fill the capacity gap of the audience.
For example, the training module should include Equipment calibration, Adapted Water Boiling
Tests, etc. The detailed curriculum will be discussed with FRI and GERES.
- Carry out an on-field training in Yezin laboratory
After selection of trainees from FRI staff, the consultant will organize a training session with
support from GERES and FRI.
METHODOLOGY AND SCHEDULE
The consultant is requested to submit its own methodology, including a precise timeframe of the
different activities and the associated deliverables.
It is estimated that 20 man-days would be needed to complete this assignment.
It is expected that the on-site training should occur in August 2017.
DELIVERABLES
- Revised Lab Management Manual
- Revised Service Catalog
- Selection criteria for trainees/Capacity Assessment
- Training modules
SUPPORT PROVIDED BY GERES
DATA
GERES will provide access to relevant project documentation and reports, and the necessary data
for the consultant to be able to carry out its consultancy.
Any other relevant data can be requested by the consultant and will be provided if existing.
LOCAL SERVICES
GERES can provide no-cost support in the organization of the missions, such as advice and
support for visa, general advice about country context, etc.
GERES will provide the following additional support:
- Stationary, workspace and internet during mission within GERES’ premises.
PERSONNEL
GERES project operations and support team will be available during the consultancy, and
particularly during the field missions.
SCALE Project Technical team, comprised of a Technical Manager and a Technical Assistant, will
actively participate in the organisation and facilitation of the training sessions; as well as taking
part into the different deliverables development.
BUDGET
The maximum available budget for this assignment is 17,000 € (Seventeen Thousand Euros),
inclusive of all costs and all taxes.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
To conduct this consultancy, the following expertise is required:
• A solid experience in lab methodology and specifically in cookstove performance lab;
• Experience and knowledge in biomass energy, access to energy and international
development;
• Experience in training deliverance;
• Working experience in South-East Asia and/or Myanmar an asset;
• Full working knowledge of English with excellent report writing skills.
APPLICATION
Applications should comprise:
A technical offer, made of:
• understanding of the assignment
• description of the methodology
• proposed schedule of execution
• references for the consultant involved in the review (detailed CV)
A detailed financial offer, detailing the number of man-days with unit prices, and the various
reimbursable costs (flying tickets, other transportation costs, per diem and lodging).
The applications will be assessed on both the technical and financial offers.
Information can be requested to the SCALE Project Manager, François-Xavier Sorba
fx.sorba@geres.eu.
How to apply:
The applications have to be submitted by email by July 7 th , 2017, midnight Myanmar Time to the
SCALE Project Manager, François-Xavier Sorba fx.sorba@geres.eu, CC to the SCALE Project
Administrative and Logistical Manager, May Mar Lwin mm.lwin@geres.eu, with the title
“Application LAB Training SCALE”.
Technical and financial offers should be in separate files, in generally accepted electronic format.
Electronic submission should be less than 5 Mo (if heavier please split in several files). Files with
extensions not supported by PC will not be considered.