Background Information – Philippines
Established in 2016, UNOPS Philippines provides expert support to ensure sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure activities in projects. With funds from the European Union (EU), UNOPS supports the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government under the Governance in Justice (GOJUST) Programme (GOJUST2) through procurement, logistics, and grants management to push forward the justice reform agenda of the Philippine government through innovations and interventions; as well as providing grants to civil society organizations to improve access to justice of marginalized groups. In the Support to the Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) Programme, UNOPS is working with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Government strengthening capacities of the executive, legislative and judicial branches to ensure a smooth transition, also with funds from the EU. In the health sector, UNOPS works with the DOH / ADB in the HEAL project (Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit COVID-19).
The UNOPS Philippines Office is part of the UNOPS Cambodia Multi-Country Officer (KHMCO), which provides oversight, support and services to UNOPS operations in the country offices.
UNOPS Philippines is in the process of expanding its area of engagement in cooperation with its development partners, focusing mainly on a portfolio of projects and programs in the infrastructure, logistics management, procurement in health, rule of law, and governance sectors and subsequently is looking for qualified and committed experts. With a mandate in infrastructure, and experience in most infrastructure sectors, UNOPS is looking to be more visible in the area of reconstruction and recovery in the Philippines. UNOPS supports humanitarian, recovery and sustainable development projects by providing infrastructure, procurement and project management services.
Background Information - Job-specific
The Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit (HEAL) COVID-19 project (2020 - mid 2022) funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) aims to assist in scaling-up the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emergency response of the Philippines Government while strengthening the Philippine Health System to become more cost-effective and sustainable.
Under the agreement for the HEAL project which is lodged at the Bureau of International Health (BIHC) of the Department of Health (DOH), is mandated for the establishment of isolation facilities in thirteen (13) DOH hospitals to ensure infection control as well as to the molecular laboratory of two (2) DOH hospitals for COVID-19 diagnostics. This is accomplished by the Bureau of International Health Cooperation BIHC), in collaboration with the Health Facilities Enhancement Program – Management end-users, supplier’s and recipient health facilities. The timely construction of the Isolations Facilities and Molecular laboratories is essential for the management of COVID-19 related cases.
In relation to the construction management for the 13 isolation facilities and 2 BSL-2 molecular laboratories, UNOPS has partnered with the DoH and is providing Technical Assistance though the provision of site supervision consultancy services to the DoH.
The availability of the key equipment and new infrastructure will strengthen the ability of the health system in the Philippines to effectively treat COVID-19 cases. The expected outcomes of the project are:
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Strengthened preparedness and response capacity of the Philippines health system in regard to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19;
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Reduced COVID-19 transmission and increased safety of the local populations.