Senior Associate Biomedical Engineer

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.  

Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO)

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) is part of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable the achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on Infrastructure, Procurement, Project Management (full service, back on track), HR and Transactional Services, Grants Management and Technical and Advisory Services. 

Uzbekistan Office

Under the purview of AUMCO, the UNOPS Uzbekistan Office, established in Tashkent in October 2022 supports the Government of Uzbekistan’s development efforts in the country, through the provision of effective project management, infrastructure and procurement services. At present, the office has signed and has been implementing three engagements contributing to SGD3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), while actively working with the Government of Uzbekistan and development partners in diversifying its portfolio in line with the country’s development priorities including education.

Project Information

The UNOPS Uzbekistan Project Office currently has two ongoing projects both of which are major contributions to SDG3 (Good Health and Wellbeing). 

The first project, “Support to Development of Oncology Services in Uzbekistan” is funded through a major loan from the Islamic Development Bank. UNOPS will support the Government of Uzbekistan in strengthening the preparedness of its national healthcare system, and preventing and treating oncological cases in an effective and timely manner. By identifying, procuring, delivering and operationalizing urgently needed medical, laboratory, radiological and ICT equipment, the project will significantly contribute to improved access and quality healthcare services for local communities in 14 regional locations including Tashkent and throughout the country.

The second project is the “Uzbekistan COVID-19 Emergency Response Project” with the Republic of Uzbekistan's Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health Service (SES). Funded through two major loans from the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. In this project UNOPS will support the Government of Uzbekistan to upgrade up to 54 existing laboratory and treatment facilities across the country, procure diagnostic equipment and supplies, and establish an ICT system for monitoring the epidemiological situation to strengthen preparedness and resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemics. 

The Senior Associate Biomedical Engineer will be working within a team of UNOPS colleagues with expertise in biomedicine, including laboratories and nuclear medicine, and technical expertise in the development of HMIS software and ICT systems. The Senior Associate Biomedical Engineer is expected to be able to link the project to the relevant stakeholders in Uzbekistan, working with the project beneficiaries to overcome potential challenges or resistance within different levels of the project stakeholders and the health system. Establishment of communication channels and constant liaison with beneficiaries (SES employees) in elaboration of standards within SES entities is foreseen for the role. 

Under the supervision of the Lead Biomedical Engineer, the Senior Associate Biomedical Engineer shall be actively involved in the Uzbekistan projects, and ensure coordination between the National Programme/other sub-groups and UNOPS. The Senior Associate Biomedical Engineer shall support the project's strategic alignment and support for the overall health system of Uzbekistan's strive towards SDG3. 

1. Liaison and coordination

• Collaborate with national authorities and health partners to propose coordination and implementation of healthcare and laboratory equipment strengthening activities as part of the project’s strategic response; 

• Document existing laboratory networks and coordination mechanisms, assist health technology assessment related issues.

• Facilitate work planning meetings, coordination meetings and support capacity building training for the project and relevant stakeholders.

• Support the Lead Biomedical Engineer to collaborate with health partners to ensure that equipment recommendations are in line with international recommendations, but also aligned with local regulations and legislation (these activities should be related to biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory requirements).

• Interact with colleagues, clients, partners and other relevant stakeholders to share vital information on operational issues related to laboratory operations and specifically Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) requirements – sharing compliance, forms and policies, training, safety protocols, etc. 

• Attend all relevant technical meetings and maintaining excellent contacts with all stakeholders;

2. Support to project implementation

• Prepare technical specifications for medical equipment that is subject of procurement, confirm compliance with the project needs and provide recommendations for improvement if needed 

• Verification of the elaborated technical equipment with beneficiaries and services in terms of its compliance with the project budget and provide recommendations if needed

• Provide recommendations for its improvement if needed

• Perform technical evaluation of proposals for the supply of medical equipment

• Determine compliance of the bids in accordance with the technical requirements detailed in the Invitation to Bid

• Coordinate with local suppliers for the delivery and installation of the goods as per project plan.

• Perform quality assurance upon the  installation and commissioning of the goods

• Follow-up on the on-site training with suppliers to confirm the operational readiness of the dedicated staff and to ensure maximum transfer of knowledge.

• Support the development of budgeted work plans, performance framework and commodities forecasting, as they relate to public health activities.

• Review work plans and reports, ensuring that they are sound, in line with the project, policy and strategies.

• Participate in field visits and project sites.

3. Documentation, Reporting and Knowledge Management

• Participate in data collection, data management, data quality review and reporting, in collaboration with relevant partners. 

• Provide input to communications and information products as required.

• Maintenance of up to date program records, both in hard copy and in the computerized system.

• Contribute to project’s progress reporting to donors and stakeholders.

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of key results by the Senior Associate Biomedical Engineer directly affects the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the relevant business unit/project, in health and laboratory management, impacting the timely and effective implementation of the respective services and deliverables. This enhances UNOPS’ competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country/region served.

a. Education

• Secondary school (High School or equivalent) with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience is required.

• A first-level (Bachelor or equivalent) preferably in Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Engineering, Biotechnology or other relevant healthcare profession with three (3) years of experience or an advanced (Master or equivalent) university degree preferably in Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Engineering, Biotechnology or other relevant healthcare profession with one (1) year of experience is desired and may substitute for additional years of experience.

b. Work experience 

• 5 years of  progressive relevant experience in the biomedical field of technical assistance in preparation of tender documentation for medical equipment and evaluation from a health economics perspective  is required.

• Experience of working with multiple stakeholders delivering complex health interventions at national scale is a strong asset.

• Experience working in an international organization is an asset.

c. Languages

• Fluency in English is required.

• Fluency in Uzbek or Russian is required. Fluency in both is an asset.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
Contract level: Local Support Level 7, LICA-7, ICS-7
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and project duration. 

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.