Biomass consultant

Scope of work: Biomass Consultant

Sanivation Profile

Sanivation is a private waste management service provider based in Kenya, looking to improve the overall health, dignity, and environment. Sanivation designs, constructs and operates waste processing factories that produce and sell affordable, and environmentally sustainable fuels. What does this mean? To date, we have been turning human poop into charcoal and firewood substitutes to help curb deforestation and protect the environment from untreated human waste. Sanivation are looking to expand within the waste-to-value sector and see growth of the fecal sludge management sector in Kenya. Read more about us at Sanivation.com.

Project Description

Sanivation uses waste biomass to supplement fecal waste to produce sustainable fuels. Presently, we have a fuel factory situated in Naivasha, and our objective is to establish additional factories within the next two years. As we embark on this expansion journey, venturing into new regions and scaling up our operations, it becomes crucial for us to acquire extensive knowledge about biomass, which will play a pivotal role in our fuel products. In particular, we are actively seeking dependable sources of waste biomass that we can acquire at a steady price and with consistent quality.

We are looking for an experienced consultant to guide us through the local biomass market to help Sanivation grow in the waste management sector, ensuring a focus on waste-to-value approaches.

Duties and Responsibilities

Within the framework of this Scope of Work, the Biomass Consultant is expected to perform the following duties:

• Develop a detailed analysis of the biomass supply chain, including sourcing, collection, transportation, and storage of biomass feed stock. Identify potential challenges and propose solutions to optimize the supply chain Gather data on biomass quantities and associated cost variations based on their moisture content. In the short term, concentrate on acquiring information for Sanivation ‘s expanded fuel factory in Naivasha that aims to secure a minimum of 3000 tons of biomass a month. For the medium term, shift focus to a future FSTP in Malindi town.
• Identify potential new suppliers and evaluate their capabilities, with a specific emphasis on biomass quality, quantity, moisture content, and prevailing market rates. Concurrently, analyze existing Sanivation supplier contracts and propose amendments to facilitate future agreements between these suppliers and Sanivation to ensure consistent biomass supply.
• Develop pricing models for distinct biomass streams based on their respective moisture content levels. This will also entail establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for evaluating the moisture content of various biomass streams.

• Formulate a Research & Development strategy targeting different biomass streams. The strategy should involve identifying potential sources, market rates for biomass acquisition, and. develop a step-by-step implementation plan for integrating biomass into Sanivation’s operations.
• Based on a specific assessment of sawdust availability for Sanivation’s Naivasha plant, design a biomass price prediction model that considers various variables influencing biomass pricing. In addition, create a live dashboard to continuously monitor changes in pricing and biomass availability.
• Do a country wide biomass market analysis study. Understanding the long-term trends of different biomass in different geographic locations in Kenya.

Key Deliverables

The deliverables on the expected scope of work for this project are detailed in table 1. Beyond this specific opportunity, Sanivation is seeking a long-term consultant, partner or full time hire to support on future biomass analysis for additional cities in Kenya.

Table 1: Deliverables and Project timeline

Experience and Competency Requirements

• 5+ years’ experience in conducting feasibility studies, both technical & economic feasibility and/or technical research in the area of renewable energy in a developing country (Kenya preferred)
  • Examples required, preferable at a similar scale to the proposed project
• College degree or equivalent – engineering, operations, economics, business, public health or similar
• Communication competencies – fluent in English across all mediums; written and spoken, reports and modelling, virtual and in person etc.
• Extensive knowledge or background in waste-to-value options
• Experience in market analysis and research
• Additional language skills preferred (Kenyan local languages)

Method, Work Schedule, and Payment

Sanivation and the consultant are to collaborate to outline these important considerations.

Procurement Process

Sanivation will share this document with consultants and will chose a consultant to work with based on cost and confidence in ability to complete the work.

Expressions of interest should be submitted to Sanivation by 31^st of August 2023. Ideally, expressions of interest should include a draft work schedule, daily rate and cost estimate for each deliverable. The deliverables can be seen in table 1 (above), these should be used as a guide but are subject to change.

Other supporting materials, including CVs, evidence of past experience and evidence of previous completed projects are recommended to be submitted at the same time as expressions of interests.

Sanivation will follow up with applicants within 2 weeks of the submission deadline. Successful applicants will then likely be asked to join a short phone interview followed by a longer in person / video call interview.

The expected project timeline can be seen in table 1 (above) and is subject to change. Ideally a consultant should be available to work with Sanivation from early-September 2023 onward.

Procurement Process

This role will report to Thomas Odero, Sanitation Engineer at Sanivation. Contact details are as follows:

Email: thomas.odero@sanivation.com and talent@sanivation.com

Mobile (Kenya): +254 (0) 713 562 744