Biomedical Engineer

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Dakar, Senegal, the West Africa Multi-Country Office (WAMCO) delivers high-quality project management, infrastructure, and procurement services across 16 countries in West Africa and the Sahel, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Togo. Aligned with UNOPS’ mission, WAMCO supports partners in peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance, and sustainable development. WAMCO’s portfolio spans key sectors such as health, climate change, renewable energy, agriculture, water and sanitation, environment, infrastructure, justice, and peace and security. Notable projects include the construction of pre-preschools for early childhood development in Senegal (in partnership with KOICA and UNICEF), capacity-building for national agencies on disaster risk reduction and resource management, and the development of rural mini-grid electrification systems in Sierra Leone. Through these initiatives, WAMCO contributes to inclusive growth and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the region.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations that supports the successful implementation of its partners’ projects in the areas of peacebuilding, humanitarian aid, and development. UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors, and United Nations organizations. With more than 6,000 staff members in 80 countries, UNOPS delivers logistical, technical, and managerial expertise where it is needed, contributing to more than 1,000 projects worldwide, often in complex environments.

The West Africa Multi-Country Office (WAMCO), based in Dakar, maintains strong relationships with governments in the region and international partners, providing technical support in strategic areas such as elections, procurement, environmental protection, and infrastructure development.

Since 2020, UNOPS has been active in Chad, implementing various projects in the health and education sectors, as well as supporting initiatives with an agricultural component. As part of the Food System Resilience Program – Chad (PRSA-TD) and the Inclusive Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (ProAgri), , UNOPS supports the Ministry of Agricultural Production and Industrialization in the procurement and installation of agricultural equipment, laboratory supplies, and fertilizers. UNOPS’s expertise has been called upon to implement these activities.

Project Context

Agriculture is a key sector of the Chadian economy, employing more than 60% of the working population and contributing significantly to food security. The country has significant agricultural potential, with approximately 39 million hectares of arable land, most of which is underutilized. The main crops include cereals (sorghum, millet, maize, rice), oilseeds (peanuts, sesame), and cash crops such as cotton and sugarcane. Vegetable farming, fruit production, and the collection of products such as gum arabic round out agricultural activity.

Despite this potential, the sector remains largely traditional, vulnerable to climatic hazards, with limited access to inputs and infrastructure, and a low level of mechanization. The development of agricultural techniques, improved farming practices, and access to markets are essential to strengthening the sector’s productivity and resilience.

In this context, UNOPS was engaged as an implementing agency to support the Ministry of Agriculture in strengthening the country’s capacity through the procurement and installation of agricultural equipment, laboratory supplies, and fertilizers. UNOPS’s expertise has been sought for the implementation of these activities.

As part of the implementation of the ProAgri and PRSA-TD projects, the UNOPS Office in Chad is seeking to recruit a Biomedical Engineer based in N'Djamena to support the Government of Chad in the planning, procurement, installation, commissioning, and technical monitoring of scientific and laboratory equipment for beneficiary institutions, notably CECOQDA, ITRAD, DPVC, and DSP. 

Procurements will be carried out based on technical specifications validated by the beneficiaries as well as operational needs identified at the various installation sites.

The primary objective of the assignment is to ensure the technical compliance of the equipment throughout its procurement and deployment cycle, notably through the validation of technical specifications, the assessment of pre-installation conditions, the monitoring of deliveries, installation, functional testing, technical acceptance, user training, and support for the implementation of the necessary arrangements for its sustainable operation and maintenance.

As part of the implementation of the ProAgri and PRSA-TD projects, the UNOPS Office in Chad is seeking to recruit a Biomedical Engineer based in N'Djamena to support the Government of Chad in the planning, procurement, installation, commissioning, and technical monitoring of scientific and laboratory equipment for beneficiary institutions, including CECOQDA, ITRAD, DPVC, and DSP. 

Procurements will be carried out based on technical specifications validated by the beneficiaries as well as operational needs identified at the various installation sites.

The primary objective of the assignment is to ensure the technical compliance of the equipment throughout its procurement and deployment cycle, notably through the validation of technical specifications, the assessment of pre-installation conditions, the monitoring of deliveries, installation, functional testing, technical acceptance, user training, and support for the implementation of the necessary arrangements for its sustainable operation and maintenance.

Under the supervision of the Project Manager and the Senior Biomedical Engineer at WAMCO, the incumbent will work closely with UNOPS teams, beneficiary institutions, suppliers, and other stakeholders involved in the project to ensure the proper execution of technical activities in accordance with project requirements and applicable quality standards.

Upon completion of the assignment:

• Technical specifications and procurement documents are developed or approved in accordance with the beneficiaries’ needs and applicable international standards
• Pre-installation conditions are assessed and technical recommendations are documented prior to equipment delivery
• The procured equipment complies with contractual specifications, applicable quality standards, and the beneficiaries’ requirements
• The equipment is installed, qualified, tested, and accepted in accordance with contractual requirements and manufacturers’ recommendations
• Any technical nonconformities identified during installation are documented and resolved prior to final acceptance
• Beneficiary users possess the necessary skills to operate the equipment effectively, safely, and sustainably
• Preventive maintenance plans, operating procedures, and technical inventories are available and regularly updated
• Technical reports on site assessments, installation, acceptance, training, and monitoring are submitted in accordance with the project schedule
• Technical risks that could affect the performance or durability of the equipment are proactively identified, assessed, and managed
• The equipment remains fully operational during the warranty period thanks to appropriate technical monitoring

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory Technologies or related fields with 4 years of relevant experience OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 2 years of relevant experience is required

Desired

A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in the following topicsis desired:

• Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, CAPM, or equivalent)
• Training or certification in biomedical maintenance
• Training in quality assurance
• Training in biomedical or scientific equipment management
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Required

• Relevant experience is work in the field of biomedical engineering, scientific equipment, or laboratory equipment or related areas. 

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.

• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

• The ability to analyze and interpret technical documentation written in English is highly desirable

• Proven experience in the procurement, installation, qualification, commissioning, technical acceptance, maintenance, or management of scientific and laboratory equipment
• Experience in drafting technical specifications, conducting technical evaluations of bids, and managing supplier contracts related to scientific or laboratory equipment
• Experience in supervising suppliers and monitoring equipment delivery, installation, and commissioning activities
• Experience working with governments, research institutions, laboratories, universities, public agencies, or international organizations
• Experience in user training, skills transfer, and technical capacity building
• Experience in implementing projects funded by international donors such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the European Union, USAID, the Global Fund, the United Nations, or equivalent is a significant asset
• Professional experience in sub-Saharan Africa or in development contexts is an advantage
• Proficiency in professional office software (Microsoft Office) and the ability to use technical or project management software; knowledge of AutoCAD or equivalent software is an asset

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• 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. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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.