Job Highlight
Provides comprehensive technical support for health projects, covering needs assessments, medical equipment specification, technical documentation, and infrastructure implementation oversight.
About The Project Office
Established in 2018, the Pacific Operations Cluster supports the delivery of infrastructure, capacity building, programme management, and procurement services across 12 Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS). UNOPS partners with governments and development agencies to deliver tailored solutions aligned with national development priorities. Drawing on its core expertise in infrastructure, procurement, and project and programme management, UNOPS helps PSIDS address the challenges of small population size, geographic isolation, and heightened vulnerability to climate change. UNOPS projects in the Pacific contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by strengthening health systems, promoting sustainable consumption and production, enhancing climate resilience and coastal protection, and supporting institutional development and local governance.
Role Purpose
The Lead Biomedical Engineer role is to provide technical expertise and project support within the health portfolio, covering needs assessments, health infrastructure implementations, equipment specifications and installation support, and health-related capacity-building efforts, particularly across projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. This work contributes to improving access to public health in the region
Functions / Key Results Expected
Reporting to the Project Manager, the Biomedical Engineer will be responsible for the following key tasks:
- Needs Assessments and Evaluation
- Conduct technical assessments and stakeholder consultations to identify health system service gaps and needs within health systems, including but not limited to provisions of medical equipment systems and supplies, department and section planning, facilities classifications, operational processes, and reporting.
- Conduct assessments and evaluations to determine medical equipment requirements, needs and others considering factors like technology advancements, regulatory compliance, and clinical demands
- Evaluate the medical assets/system's operational performances and produce reports (efficiency, reliability and safety)) and follow up on any warranty maintenance and servicing as required
- Medical Equipment Specification and Cost Estimates
- Definition and review of medical equipment technical specifications, ensuring alignment with regulatory standards, clinical requirements and facility constraints.
- Definition and development of equipment lists and layouts, considering factors like workflow optimization, space utilization, and control measures.
- Collaborate closely with design teams to review and plan for the integration of medical equipment in health facilities
- Preparation of cost estimates for medical equipment (including devices, systems, tools, supplies, furniture, etc.), considering scheduling, procurement costs, installation expenses, and ongoing maintenance and operation requirements.
- Technical Support
- Support in Drafting Terms of Reference (TORs):
- Collaborate with project teams to develop Terms of Reference (TORs) for consulting services within the healthcare sector/services (scope includes but is not limited to developing, rehabilitation, and equipping healthcare facilities).
- Provide expertise in defining the scope, objectives, methodologies, and deliverables for various consulting assignments, including feasibility studies, pre-design assessments, detailed design projects, and other related initiatives.
- Ensure alignment of TORs with project goals, regulatory requirements, and best practices in healthcare infrastructure development.
- Review and Verification of technical Deliverables:
- Assist in reviewing and verifying deliverables submitted by consulting firms engaged in health sector projects.
- Conduct thorough assessments of reports, design documents, technical specifications, and other outputs to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established standards and contractual agreements.
- Provide feedback and recommendations to consulting firms for improvement, if necessary, to enhance the quality and relevance of deliverables.
- Implementation Support
- Project implementation coordination (site visits and surveys) with government entities, ministries of health and other project stakeholders to ensure alignment with project objectives and timelines.
- Participate in scheduled site visits for inspection purposes during implementation phases to ensure adherence to specifications, quality standards, and regulatory requirements
- Conduct market surveys and research to identify medical equipment and health facility installation vendors and suppliers
- Participation in technical evaluation assignments for medical equipment and health facility installations to assess the feasibility, compatibility and compliance with project requirements.
- Verification of supplied medical equipment for compliance with specifications before installations and addressing any discrepancies or issues identified.
- Review shop drawings provided by the contractors and suppliers for compliance with design specifications and regulatory standards
- Supervise equipment installation, testing, commissioning and handing over of goods and works to the beneficiary to ensure proper functioning and integration within the health facility infrastructure.
- Support the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and operation manuals for medical equipment and health facility installations to guide the end-users effectively
- Support in organizing and conducting the training of end-users on record keeping and basic operations and maintenance activities of medical equipment and health facility installations
- Check and certify supplier payment claims for medical equipment supplied ensuring accuracy and compliance with the contractual agreements
Education Requirements
Required
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in Biomedical Engineering or a closely relevant discipline, with 7 years of relevant experience OR
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 5 years of relevant experience is required
Desired
- Certification or specialized training in hospital planning, medical waste management, or medical equipment specification and installation is highly desirable.
Required
Experience Requirements
- Relevant experience is work in hospital planning, medical waste management, medical equipment specification, and installation or similar fields.
Desired
- Experience in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, demonstrating familiarity with regional healthcare systems, regulations and practices in the region is desired.
- Experience in the rehabilitation and construction of healthcare facilities is an asset
- Experience working with a variety of health sector stakeholders, particularly governments and development partners is an asset
- Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
- Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.
- Experience in project documentation, report writing and technical communication is desired.