1. John Chirwa
ZESCO Limited
Protection Department
P.O. Box 33304
Lusaka
+260 966 454441
john_chirwa@yahoo.com
jtchirwa@zesco.co.zm
PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVES
A dynamic, results oriented professional with vast industrial experience in Electrical
Engineering. Qualified for position leading to major responsibility in a reputable Electrical
Engineering Maintenance and repair services, where a career path into middle management is
possible. Extensive background in Electrical engineering. Adept at handling steadily increasing
levels of responsibility. Proven analytical skills, ability to meet deadlines and work productively.
Ability to carry out preventive maintenance on Electrical Plant.
PROFILE
Born and raised in Zambia. Father, prominent miner. Educated locally married with children.
Resident in Lusaka. Desire to use analytical and professionally oriented support judgment, clear
organizational goals and job growth with increased responsibility. Persistent, patient and team
worker.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Artisan Electrical/Armature winder, Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Limited 1996-99.
Foreman electrical winding-1999-2000. Procured Electrical spares and materials for the section.
Supervised the largest workforce of the workshop attaining the highest level of production at
Electrical Motor Repairs shop ZCCM Nchanga Division. Worked for Mopani Copper Mines Plc
Electrical Department as an Electrical/Winding artisan and Quality Assurance Implementer of
the BS ES ISO 9001: 2000 Quality Management Systems Standard 2001 – April 2004. Became
the first craftsman to head the transformer workshop taking over from an accomplished
Electrical engineer at Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited ZESCO. Currently
working for the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) as a Principal
Protection technologist –Protection department.
AREA MANAGER – KAFUE COVERING KAFUE, SIAVONGA, CHIRUNDU AND
KAFUE GORGE DISTRIBUTION- ZAMBIA ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
CORPORATION (ZESCO LIMITED).- JULY 2015 TO DATE
• Carried out massive transformation of the area growing the clientele base by 35% in six
months
• Ensured availability of materials and sourced vehicles for mobility by all staff in all
departments
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2. PRINCIPAL ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGIST-PROTECTION ZAMBIA
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY CORPORATION (ZESCO LIMITED).
MAJOR ACCOMPLSHMENT January 2014 TO DATE
• Commisioned the newly built 33/11kV Katuba substation.
• Commissioned the 25Mva 33/6.6 kV Lafarge Chilanga substation.
• Successfully Commissioned a 30 Mva newly built Katuba substation in Katuba area.
• Led numerous teams in maintenance works on the 33Kv distribution network for Lusaka
province on a number of occasions.
• A key member in the resolution of system faults 24/7.
SENIOR ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGIST- PROTECTION -ZAMBIA ELECTRICITY
SUPPLY CORPORATION (ZESCO LIMITED).
MAJOR ACCOMPLSHMENT JANUARY 2010 TO JANUARY 2015
• Participated in the Commisioning of a newly re-built Coventry Substation.
• Participated in the in the installation of DC monitoring relays in Lusaka substations.
• Participated in the commissioning of the newly built Levy Business Park Substation and
respective bays at Coventry and UTH substations.
• Key team member in the construction, wiring and commissioning of Ndipo reinforcement
substation.
• Key team member in the construction, wiring and commissioning of Chisamba substation.
• Key team member for the installation, wiring and commissioning of 5 of 33 kV control
panels at Coventry substation.
• Key team member in the commissioning of the newly constructed Kabulonga substation
under the Distribution Expansion and Reinforcement Project (DERP).
• Key team member in the commissioning of the newly constructed 33kV switch room at
Liverpool substation under the Distribution Expansion and Reinforcement Project (DERP).
• Headed the rehabilitation of 11kV Chilanga substation which was burnt.
• Participated in the installation of the automatic change over scheme at state house and Mass
Media.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
• Ensure high level protection systems availability and compliance to operations, maintenance
and commissioning schedules and procedures.
• Work execution on a daily basis, weekly, of project nature, faults, modifications etc.
Work prioritizing and raising alarms where necessary.
• Manpower utilization, ensuring cable faults are done in order of priority in consultation with
counterpart zone leader.
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3. • Carry out fault analysis, load flow and incident investigations.
• Prepare technical and other reports and advise management on new technology.
• Ensure compliance to safety standards and statutory regulations for the power system and
personnel.
• Carry out and review protection settings.
• Ensure that properly coordinated protection systems are in place and reviewed from time to
time.
• Relay installation and programming.
• Battery maintenance on a daily basis, safety pep talks, feedback to the senior engineer for
any problems in terms of weaknesses in his/her area.
• System studies, updating and enforcing standby duty rosta.
FOREMAN – TRANSFORMER WORKSHOPS- ZAMBIA ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
CORPORATION (ZESCO).
MAJOR ACCOMPLSHMENT FEBRUARY 2005 TO MARCH 2007
• Appointed amongst many other technicians to head the Department as Foreman.
• Successfully reorganized the department to regain production stability.
• Reduced the operating costs of the department by 40 % through the introduction of material
utilization measures.
• Steered my team to increase production by 65% within six months of assuming office.
• Awarded performance bonus with my team for outstanding work performance by corporate
management.
• Introduced a quality management system to enhance the quality of our repaired transformers.
• Exposed to other parts of the world where transformers are manufactured.
• Gained expertise in transformer oil re-generation or filtration on-load and off-load.
• Gained expertise in transformer condition monitoring through trending.
• Gained expertise in carrying out DGA and analyzing results of tests on transformer oil.
• Gained expertise in determining preventive maintenance on transformers.
ARTISAN ELECTRICAL/ ARMATURE WINDER- MOPANI COPPER MINES PLC
MAJOR ACCOMPLSHMENT 2001 TO APRIL 2004
• Successfully repaired an Oerlikon synchronous rotor for Mindolo Shaft Compressor house in
record time.
• Repaired a DC Motor Generator Set armature at central shaft Engine winding house on site
in record time.
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4. • Elected and appointed Safety representative out of 12 other artisans to implement the NOSA
5*safety system.
• Appointed Sectional Quality Assurance Implementer of the BS EN ISO 9000:2000
Quality Management systems standard
• Spearheaded my section both as a Safety Representative and as Quality Assurance
Implementer attaining 3* NOSA and BS EN ISO 9000:2000 accreditation.
• Drew up the standard manual for work processes in accordance with ISO standards.
FOREMAN – ELECTRICAL/WINDING-ZAMBIA CONSOLIDATED COPPER MINES
- NCHANGA DIVISION (NOW KONKOLA COPPER MINES PLC)
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT: 1999-2000
• Rapid promotions rising from trainee electrical artisan and finally as a foreman.
• Acted as Sectional planner scheduler from July to September 1999 reducing jobs backlog by
52% in the same period.
• Worked as Sectional Quality Assurance officer steering my section to the highest
performance ever in the departmental Audits.
• Compiled and computerized Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Quarterly performance reports.
ARTISAN ELECTRICAL/ARMATURE WINDER – ZAMBIA CONSOLIDATED
COPPER MINES LTD -NCHANGA DIVISION (NOW KONKOLA COPPER MINES
PLC).
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 1997 – 99
• Successfully wired a starter panel for the main conveyer belt at concentrator (This
Was my first industrial project).
• Successfully wired a starter panel for a cathode Unloader at New Tank house (This was my
second industrial project).
• Worked on pendant and overhead cranes carrying out routine maintenance works.
• Worked on Distribution networks.
• Initiated and implemented a new method of data taking which minimized repairing and
rewinding errors.
• Re-designed an AC data sheet for stators and rotors replacing the one previously used to
enhance professionalism in data taking.
• Awarded merit increments twice for outstanding work performance.
• Executed many of the most sensitive assignments in my career winning management
confidence.
• Selected out of 100 other artisans to go for further training in High Tension Winding course
(repairing, servicing and rewinding electric motors, alternators and Transformers of rating of
3.3KV to 11KV.
• Successfully modified a slip-ring motor rotor to run as an induction motor.
OPERATOR MULTI HEAVY EQUIPMENT – NCHANGA OPEN PITS.
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 1990-1993
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5. • Trained in the operation of 100 and 120 tons haul trucks.
• Trained and Licensed as a driver of the then class G & 1 now BC.
• Trained in the operation of 824 and 834 caterpillar rubber tyred dozers and road compactors.
• Represented 1600 fellow employees in the department’s safety, Health and Environment
Management team.
• Elected shop steward for the section and later Branch Research Committee Secretary-Mine
Workers Union of Zambia.
EDUCATION
• Diploma Electrical – Copperbelt University – 2007 – 2009.
• Certificate in Electrical Engineering – University of Zambia – Kitwe centre 2002.
• Craft Certificate in Electrical Armature Winding – Mufulira Trades School, 1994-96
• Certificate High Tension Winding – 3300 to 11000 Volts-MTS – 1998
• Grade twelve school certificate – Chikola Secondary School, 1987 – 1989
• Grade nine certificate – Kabundi secondary School – 1985 – 1986
PROFESSIONAL COURSES AND SEMINARS
• Bioenergy sources and applications- Svebio and Business Sweden – Stockholm Sweden-
2014
• Transformer oil management –DGA Kelman International – South Africa-2007
• Onsite training on transformer condition monitoring and trending- South Africa under
Kelman.- 2009
• Managing Change in Attitudes -MCA – of RSA
• Certificate in Transformer and switchgear maintenance- Kafue Gorge Regional Training
center- 2004.
• Cerificate in Power Systems Protection- Kafue Gorge Regional Training center-2014
• Certificate computer in Microsoft word and Excel – Accountancy Training College – 1999
• Basic supervisory course – ZCCM In service Training Center.
• Small Business Awareness – Accountancy Training College
• Course for shop floor employees – ITC – ZCCM
• ISO 9002 Quality Assurance Seminar
PERSONAL DATA
• Health: Excellent
• Travel: Ireland, China, Hong Kong, India, Sweden, Germany, Thailand, Uganda, Kenya
and RSA,
• Location: Lusaka
• Salary: Negotiable
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6. REFEREES
NAME POSITION ADDRESS
Mr. Muntungwa Mugala Director D&CS ZESCO Limited
P.O. Box 33304
Lusaka, Zambia
Mobile + 260966767025
Mr. Christopher Phiri Divisional Manager- Lusaka ZESCO Limited
P.O. Box 30040
Lusaka
Mobile + 260 0969887217
Mr. John Mbuzi Technical Services Manager ZESCO Limited
P.O. Box 33304
Lusaka
Mobile: +260 968 436015
Mr. Aubrey Chilufya Principal Protection Engineer ZESCO Limited
P.O.Box 33304
Lusaka, Zambia
Mobile: +26 0955832636
Mr. Gillie Mwape Senior Electrical Foreman Konkola Copper Mines Plc
TLP Tank Houses Nchanga Division,
Private Bag Plc (C) 2000,
Chingola, Zambia
Mr. Jones Bukuku Senior Lecturer The Copperbelt University
P.O. Box 21692
Kitwe, Zambia
Mobile: +260963564196
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7. REFEREES
NAME POSITION ADDRESS
Mr. Muntungwa Mugala Director D&CS ZESCO Limited
P.O. Box 33304
Lusaka, Zambia
Mobile + 260966767025
Mr. Christopher Phiri Divisional Manager- Lusaka ZESCO Limited
P.O. Box 30040
Lusaka
Mobile + 260 0969887217
Mr. John Mbuzi Technical Services Manager ZESCO Limited
P.O. Box 33304
Lusaka
Mobile: +260 968 436015
Mr. Aubrey Chilufya Principal Protection Engineer ZESCO Limited
P.O.Box 33304
Lusaka, Zambia
Mobile: +26 0955832636
Mr. Gillie Mwape Senior Electrical Foreman Konkola Copper Mines Plc
TLP Tank Houses Nchanga Division,
Private Bag Plc (C) 2000,
Chingola, Zambia
Mr. Jones Bukuku Senior Lecturer The Copperbelt University
P.O. Box 21692
Kitwe, Zambia
Mobile: +260963564196
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