Project Biomedical Engineer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

With an extensive geographical area and a population of over 42 million, ensuring universal access to health services across Sudan is a significant task, as is responding to the health and socioeconomic impact of COVID-19.

To help Sudan address the development challenges and emergencies it currently faces, UNDP works with the Government and in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, other UN entities, and international partners – particularly The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) – to support large-scale health enhancement, predominantly through civil works or the provision of essential supplies.

Furthermore, UNDP activities related to community stabilization, poverty alleviation and peacebuilding also incorporate improvements to health systems, and support emergency responses to outbreaks and disasters.

The volunteer will be support to the global fund activities inside the federal ministry of health (procurement and supply management department – communicable diseases control directorate).

Under the primary and secondary supervision of a Programme Specialist-Covid-19 and PSM Specialist, respectively, the Project Biomedical Engineer conduct needs assessment, development of specifications, procurement, installation, commissioning and operation of medical Oxygen PSA plants, Oxygen cylinders, incinerators, Covid 19, TB and HIV medical equipment in Sudan, as detailed below:

• Implements and provide technical guidance and assistance to UNDP, Federal and State Ministries of Health, Disease Control Directorate (DCD), DCD national and state level disease programmes, National Medicines Supplies Fund (NMSF), State Medicines Supplies Fund, Localities and health facilities (HF) in the identification, specification, review, evaluation and selection of new equipment technology, Oxygen plants, incinerators, spare parts and inventory based on the requirements of the funder, budget and end users. • Implements and provides technical support as per UNDP program needs and requests for (a) Procurement including guiding needs assessment, quantification exercise and providing technical specifications based on final user needs for medical equipment, consumables, and spare parts and tender preparation • Implements and provides technical support in site assessment by identification of the medical equipment pre-installation work to be incorporated in the works (civil, electrical, mechanical) contracts. • Serves as the contract manager for medical equipment procurements and project, conducting supervision of installation of medical equipment, supervision for repair and maintenance of medical equipment. • Implements or supervises the calibrations, validation, and certification of functionality of medical equipment after installation, repair and maintenance contracts, as well as managing the commissioning and handing over of medical equipment to end users.
• Capacity building for engineers/technicians. Adapting training materials to the country context (training relevant to biomedical engineering technicians, biomedical engineers, logistics staff, and others) • Manage the Oxygen Plants project (Including support to develop tender documents, support during evaluation, and project and stakeholders’ management during implementation to ensure the success of this project.) • Install new equipment according to manufactures’ SOPs and provide clear procedure for troubleshooting for each of equipment. • Plan and implement routine preventive maintenance for equipment according to manufacturers’ guidelines and to a schedule for each of equipment. • Train laboratory personnel operating equipment on basic equipment safety and to do simple routine preventive maintenance and monitor compliance of laboratory personnel with maintenance schedule and guidelines. • Develop and print guidelines for simple routine equipment preventive maintenance and basic safety measures and disseminate to operators at central and state levels.
• Perform timely assessment and repair of medical equipment for defects that are manageable at his/her level, or recommend hiring of individual contractors and companies to perform repair and maintenance, including the development of terms of reference for individual contractors or service level agreement for service providers. • Guide procurement processes for spare parts necessary for equipment routine preventive maintenance or fixation of functional defects; including writing specifications and ensuring procurement according to specifications. • Follow up implementation of routine preventive maintenance by service providers for equipment whose maintenance is performed by contracted service providers and ensure completeness of maintenance according to manufacturers’ guidelines. • Advise on selection of correct service provider/s for fixation of equipment functional defects that are not manageable at his/her level, ensure resumption of equipment normal functioning and write certificates for completeness of required fixation processes. • Advice and guide processes of disposition of out-of-date equipment according to guidelines. • Any other tasks that deemed necessary for ensuring efficient functioning of medical equipment. • Develop and maintain a logbook for each of the equipment according to standard and support the Finance and Administration department in the management of medical equipment • Perform related functions that may be assigned from time to time.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards • UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or equivalent qualification. • Relevant master’s degree is an added advantage. • Special training or certification in medical equipment used in C19RM, Intensive care, HIV and TB, up to a certificate level is an advantage. • A minimum of 5 years progressive work experience in the health settings in reputable public or private organizations in Sudan. • At least 3 years working experience in the public health sector in Sudan at national or state level is a requirement. • Experience traveling to remote states, localities and villages of Sudan is an absolute advantage.
• Candidates with higher and solid working experience in Sudan’s public health sector, especially at Federal NMSF, State MSF or large public urban and rural hospitals shall be given top preference. • Excellent computer typing skills and use of Microsoft Office packages like Ms. Word, Ms. Excel, and Ms. PowerPoint. • Experience with an ERP is an added advantage • Excellent communication skills
• Willingness to travel to any region of Sudan. • Ability to work under pressure with changing priorities, with high level of flexibility. • High emotional intelligence even when under extreme pressure. • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in working with the UNDP, and volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Khartoum is the capital and trading centre of Sudan and is situated in Khartoum State, at the junction of the Blue and White Nile rivers; Omdurman is also a suburb of Khartoum, giving the urban area a population of over 3 million. It has long served as a major communications center between the Arab countries of North Africa and central African countries. The city lies near the rich, irrigated cotton-growing Gezira area to the south and much of its trade is based on Nile river traffic. An oil pipeline links the city with Port Sudan on the Red Sea. Industries include tanning, textiles, light engineering, food processing, glassware, and printing. Sudan’s climate ranges from tropical in the south to arid dry desert in the north. Khartoum is one of the hottest capitals in the world in summer, although the winter months are cooler and pleasant. A rainy season in many areas spans from April to October. Living conditions in Khartoum are good. Khartoum is classified as a family duty station, with an adequate level of services, accommodation, and facilities. One can rent a comfortable modern apartment or house with air conditioners that mitigate the hot and dusty climate. Medical facilities are basic. The cost of living may be high, depending on the standards, particularly for food and accommodation. It is a relatively safe environment sometimes marked by small criminality or anti-western public demonstrations. MORSS (Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards) compliance is required. Generally, the city is safe compared to other capitals in the continent. There are many restaurants and cafes for socializing, although limited sports facilities due to the climate although one can get membership of gyms for indoor exercise and there are clubs for swimming.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.