1. Area of ​​expertise: Biomedical Engineer – NOB

2.  Purpose of consultancy

Provide technical support and project management to the country office, particularly in projects related to the Oxygen Scale-up Initiative.
Support countries in implementing sustainable and quality-assured biomedical services related to large-scale oxygen sources and respiratory care equipment. 
EPR defines the overall operational impacts expected from a dedicated oxygen supply technical programme as follows:
• Meet a country’s needs for technically complex and financially burdensome medical equipment and/or services related to medical oxygen.
• Plan their continued operation, including maintenance and servicing.
• Shorten the time from the overall concept to the implementation of all oxygen supply related activities for Member States and beyond.

3.    Background

Oxygen is an essential medicine required at all levels of the health care system; only quality-assured medical-grade oxygen should be administered to patients. Oxygen systems to produce, store, distribute and deliver are complex and vary widely in their specifications and standards.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) has recognized the lack of technical guidance and availability of large-scale technical solutions and supplies that would enable access to medicinal oxygen, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. As a result, over the past months, it has implemented an Access Scale-Up initiative with the aim of bringing together experts, partner collaboration, technical support and procurement of key supplies for countries in need.

4.    Deliverables

•Monitor the assessment phase and construction works and ensure that adequate solutions are provided according to the constraints of the PSA plant.
•Ensure that the oxygen production units and all related equipment are installed according to WHO standard standards and operate properly to obtain good quality medical oxygen.
•Ensure that all safety measures and equipment are in place for the safety of the oxygen production units and users.
•Provide expertise and technical specifications for the various needs related to the oxygen production units and actively participate in the evaluation of suppliers of goods and services.
•Regularly share progress and challenges with the country, the regional office and WHO headquarters (reports, meetings).
•Actively participate in user training with suppliers of the various equipment installed on the sites.
•Follow the 2 other projects in Kinshasa (user feedback, surveys, best practices, possible additional training, optimization of flows/works on site, monitoring of exact fuel consumption monthly, carrying out QC of O2 cylinders, etc.)
Deliverables
•Provide technical engineering expertise to the country office, preparing the site to receive oxygen solutions/equipment at scale, analyzing technical offers from providers and monitoring project management.
•Collaborate with the technical focal point of the headquarters and the regional office in the country projects/in specific health structures, during the different phases: assessment, procurement, implementation and monitoring and evaluation.
to facilitate the evaluation of suppliers during the commissioning of equipment on site.
•Depending on the needs, the candidate may be called upon to perform other tasks defined by WHO.

5. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:  

Essential: University degree in biomedical, clinical, electromechanical engineering or other related field.

Desirable: A master’s degree in biomedical/clinical engineering, public health, humanitarian logistics or other relevant related field.

Experience:

Essential: Minimum 2 years of experience in clinical engineering, including an appropriate and holistic understanding of planning, management and procurement of hospital equipment and infrastructure.

Desirable: International experience in low- or middle-income countries

Skills/Knowledge: 
Essential:
• Strong skills to support field assessments and management strategies of oxygen systems and/or medical devices in different settings.
• Strong technical writing skills (reports, proposals and technical evaluations).
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and communicate effectively with different target audiences.    

WHO Competencies
• Deliver results
• Communicate credibly and effectively
• Promote inclusion and teamwork
• Serve as a role model
• Respect and promote individual and cultural differences

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):
Essential:
Expert knowledge of French
Intermediate knowledge of English

Desirable:
Expert knowledge of local languages

6. Location: Kinshasa     

7. Remuneration and budget 
a. Remuneration: 
– Grade: NOB of the United Nations system scale
– Type of contract: Special Services Agreement

b.    Expected duration of contract: 6 mois

8.
Hiring Manager:  Dr Diallo Mouctar Amadou

Collaborators : Dr Fosting Richard, Ms Moutisnga Yolande, Ms Molonga Jeanine

Admin focal point:  Mme Moutsinga Yolande

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to [email protected]
An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
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WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].
This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
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The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the advertised roster. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments; however, contracting of rostered candidates is not guaranteed.