Lead Biomedical Engineer (Retainer)

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.  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 organisations.  With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Background: VIEMCO

The Vienna Multi-Country Office (VIEMCO) was set up in August 2019 as a part of the UNOPS Europe & Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, VIEMCO aims to enable 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

• Grant Management 

• Technical and Advisory Services

Under the overall guidance of the VIEMCO Director, and supervision of the HoSS, the Lead Biomedical Engineer will be responsible for leading on all the tasks associated with the need assessment, evaluation, installations, training, commissioning, assembly and testing of the medical equipment, furniture and appliances that are to be purchased by VIEMCO health-related projects/programs, including any relevant infrastructure works, as well as other technical/substantive tasks assigned by the Head of the respective VIEMCO office/unit.

The specific tasks will include:

• Review, advise on and help consolidate the equipment lists by type of service. Review their operational performances, and make recommendations to management, project managers/teams and stakeholders on specifications and other substantive/technical elements required to effectively develop, plan, launch and implement projects.

• Advise management and Project Managers on project scope, overall technical/substantive requirements based on partner and beneficiary needs, as well as national and international certification requirements and standards for equipment, associated services and works, including the relevant best practices.

• Preparation of the technical specifications and bill of quantities are to be incorporated into the tender documents of the medical equipment to be procured under the project.

• Preparation of the technical requirements for the installation of the equipment, including any relevant infrastructure works.

• In coordination with project teams and logistics personnel on the ground, organize and supervise the logistics of delivery and installation.

• Develop a schedule of requirements, conditions, evaluation criteria and exact submission needed from the bidders before the bid solicitation.

• Participate as the technical evaluator/member of solicitations and proposals for the supply of biomedical equipment, as well as the associated services and works.

• Verify biomedical equipment for specification compliance prior to installations and handovers.

• Supervision of installation of equipment/systems where required, as well as quality assurance, ensuring the works are carried out as per the design specifications and contracts administrations of installation works.

• Checking and certifying of contractor’s progress payment claims in respect of medical equipment items.

• Project implementation coordination in support of Project Managers, and with various project stakeholders.

• Supervision of testing and commissioning of medical equipment/systems on completion of installations, and the preparation of the commissioning and client’s hand-over reports.

• Prepare work progress reports and contract close-out reports.

• Supervision of training of the medical staff on operation and maintenance tasks, and records keeping.

• Review the medical assets/systems operational performances produce reports and follow up on any warranty maintenance as required.

• Prepare operational and maintenance plans for all medical equipment/systems installed under the project, and issue to the client on project completion.

• Any other business as assigned by the supervisor and VIEMCO Director/management.

• Promote and follow-up medical equipment related projects in the country, including identification of synergies and expansion opportunities where feasible.

• Travel to project sites if and as required.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Prepare weekly & monthly progress reports: progress of works based on the established schedules and plans, encountered problems, solutions, planning of activities for the following week.

• Consolidated quarterly progress reports.

• Prepare and maintain an inventory list of medical equipment.

• Prepare operational and maintenance plans for all medical equipment.

Final Product

• Prepare an accurate inventory list of all medical equipment.

• Complete operational and maintenance plans for all medical equipment.

Education

• Advanced University (Master's) Degree in biomedical engineering or related field is required.

• A Bachelor degree combined with 2 additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• A diploma in Biomedical engineering or similar with additional 6 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the BA or the MA.

Work Experience 

• Five years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressive experience in the biomedical engineering field is required.

• Experience in the acquisition and maintenance of health biomedical equipment is an asset.

• Expertise in infrastructure works relating to installation of biomedical equipment highly desirable.

• Experience of successfully working with a variety of health sector stakeholders, particularly governments and development partners including UN organizations is an asset.

• Experience working in developing countries is an asset.  

• Proficiency with computers in particular AutoCAD, and other related software related to the positions field of expertise is highly desirable.

• Professional membership of certified associations is preferential.

• Experience working with developing nations and/or large global donors such as Global Fund, USAID, World Bank, etc. is an advantage

Language

• Fluency in English is required

• Knowledge of Russian language is considered an asset

1. Contract type: ICA
2. Contract level: IICA-2 / ICS 10
3. Contract duration: Ongoing (Retainer)

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.