Lead 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 Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions. HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.

Established in 2005, UNOPS Sudan is a key partner in advancing community well-being through infrastructure, procurement, and project management services that support humanitarian, recovery, and sustainable development efforts. UNOPS contributes to improved access to clean water, supports peacekeeping operations, and assists in implementing the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement by helping operationalize the Permanent Ceasefire Committee for Darfur in collaboration with UNITAMS. Ongoing initiatives focus on enhancing access to water and strengthening health services across the country, with particular efforts in Kassala state to expand diagnostic capacity and upgrade healthcare infrastructure. Through these projects, UNOPS supports stability, resilience, and improved living conditions for communities across Sudan.

This position operates within the UNOPS Sudan Project Office, a key partner in advancing community well-being through infrastructure, procurement, and project management services that support humanitarian, recovery, and sustainable development efforts. The role specifically focuses on providing 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. This work contributes to improving access to public health in the region, particularly in Kassala state, by expanding diagnostic capacity and upgrading healthcare infrastructure.

Under the supervision of The Project Manager, 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.

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

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

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience is work in hospital planning, medical waste management, medical equipment specification, and installation or similar fields.

Desired

• Experience in 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.

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