Meds & Food for Kids (MFK), a non-profit, operates a food processing facility, using electro-mechanical machinery, to produce Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), to treat severe acute malnutrition in Haiti’s children.  This fellowship is located in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. 

This position’s primary goal is to, alongside Haitian technical staff, assist in implementing the integration of solar into the existing framework of diesel-powered generators; and to assist the project manager, project engineers and electricians with the project. The solar project consists of a 300 kW solar array in the energy production system: generators, inverters, batteries.  It will be one of the largest solar arrays in the country of Haiti when completed. Currently, the solar project is nearing the completion of the design phase. The next phase is installation in 2022. 

Additionally, this fellow will assist with other ongoing and developing facilities projects at the factory.

The role of the fellow is to work collaboratively with Haitian staff to identify problems and find solutions. Often these solutions will be outside of Haiti and will require consultation with volunteer engineers in the U.S. and elsewhere. It is not expected that the fellow will know all the answers but it is expected that the fellow will know the questions to ask and will pursue the answers.  

Working with Haitian technical staff, other important objectives for this role are listed below: 

• Assist with a smooth transition from primarily diesel-generated power to primarily solar-generated power at the factory 
• Assist with ongoing engineering projects at the factory on all Major Systems (listed below) and other areas of the factory
• Provide technical assistance as needed, and proactively, on the solar project
• Provide technical assistance as needed, and proactively, throughout the factory
• Identify problems and initiate solutions throughout the factory 
• Participate in discussions with MFK staff to facilitate good communication and decision-making throughout the organization
• Accept mentorship from Haitian staff with the goal of collaborative problem solving
• Mentor Haitian staff appropriately with the goal of collaborative problem solving

Specific Major Systems at the Factory

• Food Processing System for production and packaging of peanut-based RUTF
• Agricultural peanut processing equipment for sorting, blanching, roasting of peanuts
• Water purification system
• Air conditioning and ventilating systems
• Energy production system: generators, inverters, batteries

With this in mind, we expect:

• Collaboration with staff and project managers in Haiti and the US in trouble-shooting, installations and other activities necessary for the advancement of the solar project.
• Collaboration with staff and project managers in Haiti and the US  in trouble-shooting, installations and other activities necessary for the smooth and professional workings of the factory.
• General duties as assigned by the Solar Project Manager, Solar Project Engineer, and the Factory Manager in Haiti.

This position reports to the Chief Administrative Officer. However, this fellow would work in tandem with, and be supervised by, personnel involved in the factory's facilities and in the solar project, as needed, including: The Solar Project Manager and Engineer; the Facilities Committee Chair; the factory General Manager, Maintenance Manager, Manufacturing Operations Director, and Manufacturing Maintenance Supervisor. 

Qualifications:

• Preferred four-year degree in engineering OR certified electrician 
• Experience in renewable energy project a plus
• International or cross-cultural experience a plus
• Good problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills, and demonstrated leadership capability
• Willingness to do what it takes to produce results in an under-resourced, rapidly changing environment, where uncertainty and new obstacles are common
• Must be willing to “get hands dirty”
• Willing to live and work in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, for 6 months
• Construction experience helpful
• Food processing facility / equipment experience helpful
• Ability to speak French or Haitian Creole a plus; must speak English 

Fellow will be provided shared, secure housing in a Cap-Haitien house; health and medical evacuation insurance; a round-trip plane ticket from country of residence to Haiti for each six month contract period; two weeks of vacation during a 6-month contract; a monthly stipend to cover food and personal items; reasonable access to a shared vehicle for transportation in and around the Cap-Haitien area.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV or resume to: lplummer@mfkhaiti.org please put "Engineering Fellowship" in the subject line.