Biomedical Engineer (Retainer)

Background Information - Job-specific

On 24 February 2022, the military of the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, with strikes across the territory of Ukraine. Since then, Russia’s invasion imposes a severe humanitarian and socio-economic toll, global energy and food crisis, large-scale destruction of the country's infrastructure, and disruptions in the provision of critical services and degradation of social fabrics and communities’ ties, triggering one of the world’s most significant forced displacements.

Severe attacks on energy and critical infrastructure facilities leave millions of people without electricity, water or heating supply, struggling to access water, food, health services, materials to repair homes, among others. The continued attacks cause substantial damage to the country’s economy and agricultural production, and also affect the poorest countries worldwide.

UNOPS support to partners spans the humanitarian-development nexus from emergency response to building back better, across the housing, health, education, transport, energy and mine action sectors, through infrastructure, procurement and technical assistance / project management interventions, with the ultimate aim of supporting the country on its EU accession and in its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Since February 2022, the war in Ukraine has caused widespread disruption and damage to the health sector. According to the Third Rapid Needs and Damages Assessment (RDNA3) conducted in March 2024 by the World Bank, European Union, United Nations and the Government of Ukraine, the damage to the health sector alone amounts to approximately USD 1.4 bln, while the recovery and reconstruction needs for the sector are estimated at USD 14.2 bln. As per the data of the Ministry of Health, over 1,300 medical facilities were damaged and 184 were destroyed up to 28 June 2023, with the highest concentration of damage in Kharkivska, Khersons'ka, Donetska, Mykolaivska and Kyivska oblasts.

The Mykolaiv City and Oblast, located in southern Ukraine, is a frontline region significantly impacted by the ongoing war. The region has been subject to intense shelling and missile strikes, resulting in widespread damage to infrastructure, including healthcare facilities.
The healthcare system in Mykolaiv City and Oblast faces a critical shortage of specialized medical equipment. This shortage is exacerbated by the ongoing armed conflict, which has disrupted supply chains and limited access to essential medical supplies.

Background Information - Job-specific

This project, funded by Novo Nordisk A/S, aims to address this urgent need by procuring and delivering specialized medical equipment to multiple healthcare facilities in Mykolaiv City and the wider region. The project aligns with the objectives of the UN Ukraine Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2024 and particularly the objectives of the Health Cluster: Cluster Objective 1 on ensuring access to quality life-saving health care to the most vulnerable populations and communities affected by the war; and Cluster Objective 2 aimed at strengthening readiness and all-hazards preparedness to respond to emergencies. The project also supports the attainment of the SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, contributing to the improvement of health outcomes and the strengthening of healthcare systems in a region facing significant humanitarian and development challenges.

The project will directly benefit the local population by enhancing the capacity of healthcare facilities to provide essential medical services, ultimately contributing to the well-being and recovery of the community. The project has been developed based on the needs identified by the local city and oblast authorities, as well as the communities throughout the region. The specific objectives have also been coordinated with the representatives of the Health Cluster operating in the southern regions of Ukraine.

The project targets ten medical institutions, including hospitals and a primary care facility. The project leverages existing Ukrainian legislation, allowing patients to choose their medical institutions, ensuring that the rural population has access to city hospitals in Mykolaiv and regional hospitals across Ukraine.
The most common request is for examination and scanning machines, indicating a need for enhanced diagnostic capabilities. Three hospitals have requested rehabilitation equipment, highlighting the importance of addressing post-treatment recovery. The specific requests for blood sugar measuring equipment, neurological scanning equipment, mobile x-ray machines, ventilators, and modular ambulatories demonstrate a diverse range of needs across the selected institutions.

The project is the result of the partnership between UNOPS, Novo Nordisk A/S and the Government of Denmark and is planned to be implemented in complementarity with the Danish funded support to health facilities throughout Mykolaiv City and Region. The partnership specifically provides for the burden-sharing in the provision of health systems support, whereby the Government of Denmark support the repairs and reconstruction of the health facilities in Mykolaiv and throughout the region, whereas the support provided by the Novo Nordisk A/S ensures that respective health facilities are fully equipped with specialized medical equipment. The activities in both projects will be planned and synchronized to allow for the rehabilitation and preparation of hospitals prior to the delivery and installation of the medical equipment.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Biomedical Engineer (Retainer) will provide prompt, high quality and professional engineering support in all activities related to the research, commission and installation of medical equipment. The functional responsibilities include:

Technical support to biomedical procurement

Support design administrative processes

Stakeholder management

Monitoring and quality assurance

Knowledge building and knowledge sharing
1. Technical support to biomedical procurement

Review and prepare technical medical specifications and requirements in terms of accuracy and suitability to overall requirements, including the appropriate application of UNOPS procurement governance framework.

Check the schedule of the requirements, conditions, evaluation criteria and exact submission needed from the bidders before the bid solicitation for biomedical equipment to be procured under the project.

Prepare estimates and prices for all medical and laboratory equipment.

Evaluate technical specifications for medical and laboratory equipment, in close coordination with the Procurement team.

Determine compliance of bids in accordance with the technical requirements detailed in the invitation bid.

Participate in scheduled site visits.
2. Support design administrative processes

Support in the development of a comprehensive delivery, installation and training plans for the installed equipment.

Manage files and records of the design processes.

Schedule requested tasks related to these medical plans.
3. Stakeholder management

Contribute to the establishment of solid working relationships with the stakeholders.

Ensure relevant stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions, and other related matters under the biomedical scope.

Participate in relevant external meetings, including with vendors and other respective medical consultants during the project lifespan.
4. Monitoring and quality assurance

Prepare monthly progress reports based on the established schedules and plans, encountered problems, solutions, planning of activities, etc.

In consultation with Biomedical Engineer, support the development and implementation of installation and training plans for all medical equipment.

Maintain, accurate, quality and completed documentation related to the project’s biomedical procurement processes.

Perform quality assurance upon delivery of goods.
5. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Provide the organization, facilitation and/or delivery of training and learning initiatives for project personnel on procurement-related topics.

Provides sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in medical procurement.

Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.

Liaise with relevant MCO, HQ and UN system units to exchange information and follow up on pending issues.
IV. Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of key results by the 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.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) on a retainer contract basis (i.e. on need basis)
Contract level: ICS9/LICA9
Contract duration: 12 months, renewable based on satisfactory performance and budget availability.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Information

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.