.
Qualifications
.1. ย ย ย Purpose of consultancy
The aim of the consultancy is to provide technical support to the WHO country office in Djibouti and the WHO regional office for the Eastern Mediterranean to meet the needs for oxygen and biomedical products.
2. ย ย ย Background ย
Affordable and sustainable access to oxygen is a growing challenge in resource-limited countries and complex emergencies in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). The COVID-19 pandemic has put enormous pressure on health systems, with hospitals in many resource-limited countries running out of oxygen, leading to preventable deaths. Although the medical oxygen ecosystem has been the subject of considerable work over the years, particularly with regard to the safety of its production and clinical use, its access and availability remain limited in many countries due to cost, infrastructure, logistical barriers and, in the Eastern Mediterranean region, insecurity.
To address oxygen needs and gaps, contextualized solutions and tailored approaches are required, and national biomedical engineers can play a critical role in capacity building and training. Following the identification of an international biomedical engineer, under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative and the WHO Country Office contact person, EMRO Case Management and Clinical Operations and HQ will work to develop an oxygen scale-up plan for the country.
Throughout the duration of the contract, the consultant will be required to provide technical support for the procurement, installation and maintenance of medical equipment supplied to various health facilities by WHO, MoH and partners, including medical and other technical staff, and provide technical advice on the proper use of medical equipment as requested by MoH/partners, in coordination with, supporting and mentoring the biomedical counterpart of the MoH.
3. ย ย ย Work to be performed
The national consultant will work closely with the international expert (recruited by WCO), the Ministry of Health and relevant technical teams of the Ministry of Health and the WHO country office team to contribute to the implementation of the oxygen and biomedical product requirements.
Output 1: Provide technical support to the national expert consultant in improving access to oxygen in close collaboration with partners and the Ministry of Health based on the resolutions of the World Health Assembly (national list of essential medicines, national costed strategy for oxygen, pandemic preparedness plans, pandemic preparedness and response plan, forecast for medical oxygen, standards, innovations, regulations and policies on medical oxygen, ...).
Deliverable 1.1: Prepare for and coordinate the conduct of desk study, interviews with key stakeholders and relevant suppliers to assess the current situation of oxygen and biomedical product needs.
Deliverable 1.2: Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to provide the international expert with available documentation to facilitate the documentary analysis.
Deliverable 1.3: Arrange and facilitate discussion between the international expert and biomedical engineers, technical teams and stakeholders.
Output 2: In accordance with the expert 's guidance, facilitate the organization of a national workshop to present the analysis of the situation in terms of oxygen mapping.
Deliverable 2.1: Contribute with the expert to finalize the concept note on the oxygen situation at the national level and at the level of health establishments (SSP and four hospitals) and the list of participants in the training workshops,
Deliverable 2.2: Work closely with the Ministry of Health to support the preparation and organisation of workshops;
Deliverable 2.3: Provide technical input in writing a report on the situation analysis, including conclusions, recommendations and next steps.
Output 3: Participate in the development of the technical work methodology, including the oxygen assessment tool, the strategic framework and the outline of the national strategy, in collaboration with the expert.
Deliverable 3.1: Oxygen Situation Analysis Report
โข Collaborate in carrying out a documentary study to assess the current situation of oxygen needs in Djibouti with the expert consultant.
โข Discuss with relevant health professionals within the Ministry of Health and health facilities to explore strengths and challenges regarding oxygen policies, programs and practices in Djibouti.
Deliverable 3.2: Organization of a national workshop to finalize the situation analysis and agree on the key elements of the national strategy.
Deliverable 3.3: Holding of the national workshop with the participation of the technical parties concerned and drafting of a summary report.
Deliverable 3.3: Provide technical support to the expert consultant in drafting and submitting the first Oxygen strategy document including the situation analysis, the framework vision, the principles and the key components of the national strategy.
Output 4: Monitoring of the national mapping of oxygen-related activities (financial and technical).
Deliverable 4.1: Update of national mapping, regular meetings with partners.
Output 5: Strengthen skills in the use and maintenance of oxygen concentrates, identify missing spare parts and consumable needs.
Deliverable 5.1: The national consultant will work closely with the expert and the Ministry of Health, WHO EMRO team and WHO country office team to provide technical support and opinion in training and mentoring technical teams on the use of oxygen and biomedical equipment.
Output 6: Based on the assessment of oxygen mapping, contribute to the development of packages of measures to ensure long-term operation of equipment, training gaps, infection prevention measures gaps, maintenance gaps. Plan a strategy and cost involving relevant technical parties, ensure the finalization of the situation analysis, agree on the key elements of the national strategy for oxygen scaling up as well as the drafting of a synthesis report.
Deliverable 6.1: Implementation of training, packages, measures and maintenance gaps.
Output 7: Monitoring of the operationalization and preventive maintenance of PSA oxygen stations installed by WHO and/or other partners.
Deliverable 7.1: Update of the inventory of all PSA oxygen stations nationwide.
ย
4. ย ย ย Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications: University degree in biomedical engineering or other engineering fields.
Experience:
Essential: At least five (5) years of professional experience in preparing and/or supervising medical equipment condition assessment and specifications for hospitals, including installation, commissioning of large-scale maintenance networks of biomedical and hospital equipment (patient ventilators, monitors, oxygen concentrators, central oxygen supply facilities, etc.)
Desirable: Professional experience within WHO, another United Nations organization or another international public health organization will be an asset.ย
Skills/Technical skills and knowledge:
- Excellent skills in technical analysis, installation and maintenance of various types of medical equipment.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to write clearly and concisely and provide technical advice and guidance taking into account the perspectives of multiple stakeholders and partners in resource-constrained settings;
- Proven ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and proactively resolve issues, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics.
- Good computer skills in Microsoft Office applications.
Languages and level required:
Excellent knowledge of both French and the national language.
5. ย ย ย Location
The consultant will be stationed in Djibouti and might travel to implementation areas as needed.
ย
6. ย ย ย Planned timelines (Subject to confirmation)
20 May 2025 to 19 August 2025
7. ย ย ย Medical clearance
The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.
8. ย ย ย Travel
No expected travel outside Djibouti
All travel arrangements will be made by WHO โ WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.
ย 9. Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):ย
Remuneration: NOC level - DJF 840 (monthly rate start of range)
Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):ย
Expected duration of contract: 3 months
ย