Biomedical Engineer

The Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR), based in Geneva, is responsible for the effective management, coordination and oversight of UNOPS operations across the region. The ECR region spans the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Türkiye, where UNOPS works with partners to achieve sustainable impact in health, education, environmental management, housing, rule of law, good governance, economic development, and social inclusion. With a wealth of experience in procurement, infrastructure, project and grant management, UNOPS in the region directly implements projects, provides technical advisory services and capacity building to advance the Sustainable Development Goals in support of national governments.

Since opening in 2019, the UNOPS Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) in Vienna has served as a hub for operations across 12 countries in South-East Europe, Türkiye, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. AUMCO delivers technical expertise, operational support, and sustainable infrastructure solutions for governments, donors, and international financial institutions. Flagship initiatives include Blueing the Black Sea—a GEF and World Bank partnership to reduce pollution and promote sustainable development—and Türkiye’s post-earthquake recovery programme, enhancing protective services for women and children. In Albania, projects revitalise cultural heritage and advance digital justice, while in Kosovo, new university infrastructure supports higher education. In Georgia, AUMCO facilitates the Eastern Partnership European School and strengthens rule of law and digital health access. Across Central Asia, activities range from health system strengthening in Uzbekistan to hazardous waste management in Tajikistan. AUMCO also supports UNOPS’ global Water, Environment, and Climate portfolio, reinforcing its role as a regional and thematic centre of excellence.

Since establishing its presence in Tashkent in 2023, UNOPS has been supporting healthcare infrastructure and service delivery across Uzbekistan. Key initiatives include: - COVID-19 Emergency Response – Strengthening resilience to pandemics by upgrading over 150 Sanitary-Epidemiological Committee facilities. The project delivers infrastructure improvements, diagnostic equipment, an ICT-based national epidemiological surveillance system, and expanded patient treatment capacity. - Oncology Services Development – Enhancing access to quality cancer care by equipping 14 regional hospitals with advanced medical, diagnostic, radiological, and ICT tools, establishing a national cancer registry, and providing capacity building for medical staff. - Hospital Infrastructure Design in Kashkadarya – Supporting healthcare reform through feasibility studies, site investigations, and technical designs for new hospitals in Karshi and Beshkent, aligned with national and international standards. Through these efforts, UNOPS is helping Uzbekistan strengthen its health systems and improve the quality of care for its citizens.

The Biomedical Engineer will be working within a team of UNOPS colleagues with expertise in biomedicine, including laboratories and nuclear medicine, and technical expertise in the development of HMIS software elements and ICT system components linked to lab technology. The Biomedical Engineer is expected to be able to link the project to the relevant stakeholders in Uzbekistan, working with the project beneficiaries to overcome potential challenges or resistance within different levels of the project stakeholders and the health system. Establishment of communication channels and constant liaison with beneficiaries (SES employees) in elaboration of standards within SES entities is foreseen for the role.

Languages:
 * Fluency in English is required. 
 * Fluency in either Uzbek or Russian is required. 
 * Fluency in all three languages (English, Russian and Uzbek) is a strong asset. 

 *** Only nationals of Uzbekistan or persons in Uzbekistan with residence and work permit are eligible for this position ***

 *** Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply ***

Under the supervision of the Senior Project Manager, the Biomedical Engineer shall be actively involved in the Uzbekistan projects and ensure coordination between the National Programme/other sub-groups and UNOPS. The Biomedical Engineer shall support the project's strategic alignment and support for the overall health system of Uzbekistan's strive towards SDG3. 

1. Liaison and coordination

• Collaborate with national authorities and health partners to propose coordination and implementation of healthcare and laboratory equipment strengthening activities as part of the project’s strategic response; 

• Document existing health technology and laboratory networks and coordination mechanisms, assist health technology assessment related issues.

• Facilitate work planning meetings, coordination meetings and support capacity building training for the project and relevant stakeholders.

• Support the Lead Biomedical Engineer to collaborate with health partners to ensure that equipment recommendations are in line with international standards and practices, but also aligned with local regulations and practices (these activities should be related but not limited to biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory requirements, WHO Patient Safety initiatives, ISO 45001 for occupational health, and national standards like the NSQHS, covering infection, medication, and clinical care).

• Interact with colleagues, clients, partners and other relevant stakeholders to share vital information on operational issues related but not limited to laboratory operations and specifically Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) requirements, but also WHO Patient Safety initiatives, ISO 45001 for occupational health, and national standards like the NSQHS, covering infection, medication, and clinical care – sharing compliance, forms and policies, training, safety protocols, etc. 

• Attend all relevant technical meetings and maintain proactive, transparent, and two-way, relationship-driven communication contacts with all stakeholders.

2. Project Implementation, Contract Management and Technical Oversight

• Lead the preparation and finalization of technical specifications for medical equipment to ensure full alignment with project objectives, healthcare standards and best international practices, and operational needs.

• Coordinate technical validation of equipment specifications with beneficiaries, healthcare institutions, and relevant authorities to ensure compliance with approved budgets and functional requirements.

• Conduct the technical evaluation of bids, determining compliance with technical requirements defined in solicitation documents and providing formal technical recommendations for award.

• Oversee contract implementation related to medical equipment supply, ensuring contractors’ adherence to technical specifications, delivery schedules, and contractual obligations.

• Coordinate with suppliers, contractors, healthcare facilities, and relevant stakeholders to ensure timely delivery, proper installation, and commissioning of equipment in accordance with the project implementation plan.

• Supervise and verify installation works on site, ensuring compliance with manufacturer standards, safety regulations, and project requirements.

• Lead testing, inspection, and commissioning processes, including verification of equipment functionality, performance standards, and operational readiness prior to handover.

• Ensure that quality assurance procedures are implemented throughout delivery and installation phases, documenting any non-conformities and coordinating corrective actions.

• Coordinate and verify on-site training provided by suppliers to ensure adequate capacity building, proper handover, and operational readiness of end users.

• Monitor contractor performance, maintain records of compliance, and advise on contractual issues, variations, or performance-related matters.

• Participate in site visits and field missions to oversee implementation progress and resolve technical challenges.

• Contribute to the development and monitoring of implementation schedules, equipment forecasting, and budget tracking related to biomedical components of the project.

3. Documentation, Reporting and Knowledge Management

• Asset Management: Maintaining detailed asset files, tagging, and location tracking.

• Technical Documentation: Developing BOMs, assembly drawings, and technical specifications.

• Service & Compliance Logs: Recording maintenance and repairs per ISO 13485 and FDA 21 CFR Part 820; maintaining DHF and DMR for FDA/CE as part of regulatory compliance.

• Operating Manuals: Managing the UNOPS/stakeholder library for user manuals.

• Safety & Performance Reporting: Document malfunctions, utilization trends, and downtime to inform procurement; authoring/assisting clients in technical validation and research reports.

• Training & Support: Developing user SOPs and training materials; managing vendor service contracts and technical upgrades.

• Knowledge Transfer: Facilitating communication between clinical users and suppliers for device optimization.

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.

a. Education

• A first-level (Bachelor or equivalent) preferably in Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Engineering, Biotechnology or other relevant healthcare profession with five (5) years of experience or an advanced (Master or equivalent) university degree preferably in Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Engineering, Biotechnology or other relevant healthcare profession with one (1) year of experience is desired and may substitute for additional years of experience.

• Additional certification in subject matter is an advantage.

b. Work experience 

• 5 years of progressive relevant experience in the biomedical field of technical assistance in preparation of tender documentation for medical equipment and evaluation from a health procurement and economics perspective  is required.

• Experience of working with multiple stakeholders delivering complex health interventions at national scale is a strong asset.

• Experience working in an international organization is an asset.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. 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. 
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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.

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.