Power System Data Management/Data Analytics Engineer

Terms of Reference and Scope of Services

A_BACKGROUND:

The West African Power Pool (WAPP) or Système d’Echanges d’Energie Electrique Ouest Africain (EEEOA) was created by the highest decision-making authority of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Member States held in Lomé, in December 1999. The Headquarters of the WAPP Secretariat is in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

The ECOWAS strategic objective being implemented by the West African Power Pool (WAPP) is based on a dynamic vision of integrating national power grids into a unified regional electricity market, so that such a mechanism would, over the medium and long term, ensure to the ECOWAS citizens access to adequate power quality at an affordable price, and enhance the economic development of the Member States including industrialization growth, Health and Education improvement, Poverty Reduction, various Employment Opportunities Creation, etc…

To achieve its vision of operationalizing a unified regional electricity market, the WAPP Information and Coordination Centre (WAPP ICC), a Department within the WAPP Secretariat has been designated to perform the functions of a System Market Operator (SMO) responsible for coordinating the reliability of the WAPP Interconnected Transmission System (WAPPITS) made up of the power systems of fourteen (14) ECOWAS Member Countries and administration of the regional electricity market.

To this end, the WAPP Secretariat with the support of World bank within the Project “WAPP Côte d’Ivoire Interconnection and operationalization of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market” intends to reinforce staffing of the ICC Department by filling key various vacant positions including that of a POWER SYSTEM DATA MANAGEMENT / DATA ANALYTICS ENGINEER. The successful candidate will be joining the current team in the Information and Coordination Centre (ICC) as it prepares to operationalize the ECOWAS regional electricity market.

B_PROFILE AND SCOPE OF SERVICES OF THE EXPERT:

The minimum qualifications and the functions of the position are defined hereafter:

Job Summary:

The Power System Data Management / Data Analytic Engineer is responsible for:

1. ICC Power System Database management;
2. Extract data from various sources such as APIs, HIVE tables and other structured and unstructured data sources to process and store large volumes of data ensuring data accuracy, consistency, and security;
3. Develop reporting dashboards and analytical tools to support analysis of power system operations;
4. Supporting the design, testing and implementation of models and databases to all systems that require the WAPP Network Model;
5. Supporting the design of data loading and conversion scripts to enhance/automate the process to load model data into the different tools and systems;
6. Other missions as assigned.

Essential Duties:

1. Liaise with other power system database users and the utilities to define the data collection process: template, required data, procedure to populate and update the ICC Power-System database;
2. Perform regular quality check and analyses of the data submitted by Utilities;
3. Initiate data improvement strategies based on regular assessments;
4. Report regularly internally at the WAPP and to the utilities concerning the data-quality assessments;
5. Ensure that data collection respect the security and confidentiality rules;
6. Extract data from various sources such as APIs, HIVE tables and other structured and unstructured data sources to process and store large volumes of data ensuring data accuracy, consistency, and security;
7. Develop reporting dashboards and analytical tools to support analysis of power system operations;
8. Support the design of data loading and conversion scripts to enhance/automate the process to load model data into the different tools and systems;
9. Database optimization and access reliability (e.g. 99% availability), backup maintenance, and data access security.
10. Providing regular data systems performance reports and continuous monitoring/improvement
11. Responsible for the follow-up of the ICC implementation “best-practices” policies, procedures, processes, priorities with elaborated action plan in coordination with the Head of Division;
12. Collaborate with ICC Divisions to identify and resolve issues to help create a flexible and efficient organization.
13. Other duties as assigned.

Delegation:

Exercise the following delegated mandate or responsibilities:

1. Work closely with external parties (TSOs, members utilities, Regulators, customers, stakeholders, partners, etc.) in developing grid enhancements.

Minimum Qualifications / Skills and Knowledge Required:

Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering or Power engineering or Computer Science or Engineering (Master’s Degree is an added advantage);

Years’ Experience:

At least 5 years’ experience in the electric industry.

At least 4 years’ experience in data management, data analytics using tools such as Power BI, Tableau etc.

Familiar with power flow applications such as PSS/E, DigSilent, PSS-MUST, EMS or equivalent.

Software Programming language knowledge;

Computer operating system administration and management knowledge.

Experience & main skills:

1. Strong programming skills and development of automation scripts using python or equivalent;
2. Experience in managing data and security policies;
3. Familiar with databases  and IT systems;
4. Ability to produce high-quality work products with attention to detail;
5. Experience in quantitative and qualitative analysis;
6. Ability to troubleshoot and provide technical support;
7. Experience with power flow applications such as PSS/E, DigSilent, PSS-MUST, EMS or equivalent is preferred;
8. Software Programming language knowledge;
9. Experience working with data analytics and data engineering, including experience with data cleaning and preprocessing, data analysis and dashboard development.
10. Experience building dashboards in Tableau, Power BI or any similar visualization tool.
11. Experience in Hive SQL, Python and other similar tools with a heavy focus on data analysis such as pandas data frames and API connectivity using Python.
12. Strong understanding and experience with SQL with experience in big data processing technologies, such as Hadoop, Spark, and Kafka.
13. Knowledge of electricity system operation and tools (SCADA, EMS, WAMS, network analysis software, switching and load restoration principles, generating plant operations, etc.) is an advantage;
14. Knowledge of ECOWAS electricity operation and market rules, protocols and procedures and applicable regulations (WAPP, ERERA);
15. Strong understanding and ability to anticipate system and market behaviors, analyze results and provide market enhancements based on market outcomes and evolution;
16. Excellent communication skills.

Preferred:

Experience in data management, data analytics and building dashboards using Tableau, Power BI or similar visualization tools.

Language:

Sound oral and written communication skills in English or French with a good working knowledge of the other language..

C_REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

The POWER SYSTEM DATA MANAGEMENT / DATA ANALYTICS ENGINEER 's services includes the preparation and timely submission of quality reports and documents, written in English and/or French as required by the supervisor. He/she will also contribute to the preparation of quarterly and annual reports of the System Operations Division and the ICC Department activities.

D_COMMITMENT PERIOD

The duration of the initial Contract extends from the date of signature for a period of two years. On an annual basis, the WAPP Secretariat shall conduct a review of the Consultant’s performance to monitor the continuation of the good and efficient execution of the Contract. At the end of the initial Contract, an extension will be awarded to cover the outstanding execution period of the funding project subjected to the validity timeframe/extension of the funding project with West African Power Pool (WAPP), the availability of funds and the satisfactory appraisal of the Officer’s performance.

The Consultant's services will be carried out at the WAPP Secretariat in Cotonou.

E_LINE MANAGEMENT

The POWER SYSTEM DATA MANAGEMENT / DATA ANALYTICS ENGINEER will be placed under the functional authority of the Department of Information and Coordination Centre (ICC) of the WAPP Secretariat, during the execution of the assigned mission as presented in the following Structure:

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