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International Training Specialist on Project “Demonstration of production phase-out of mercury-containing medical thermometers and sphygmomanometers and promoting the application of mercury-free alternatives in medical facilities in China”

China

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: China
  • Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Medical Practitioners
    • Architecture, Building and Property Management
    • Education, Learning and Training
    • Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction
    • HIV, Health and Development
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

Please provide Offeror’s Letter and proposal together with your CV and cover letter in one single file while submitting application. And please note that the system will not accept the uploading of more than one document so please merge or scan all your documents into one prior to uploading., below is the download link of Offeror's Letter. 

Offeror's letter download link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/174cnZW6CXFmENvX4pS31KD5b8G_KDTmP/view?usp=sharing 

 

Applications submitted without Offeror's Letter will be considered fail in evaluation.

 

China is a large manufacturer of mercury-containing medical thermometers and sphygmomanometers. Current annual consumption of mercury in China used for the manufacture of medical thermometers and sphygmomanometers is estimated to be between 200 and 250 tonnes each year.

A preliminary survey conducted in 2014 indicated that there were approximately 20 enterprises that produced about 150 million mercury-containing thermometers in China alone, and which used about 150 tonnes of mercury for their manufacturing processes. One third of the produced mercury-containing thermometers were exported to other countries. With respect to mercury-containing sphygmomanometers, approximately 10 enterprises produced and sold about 3 million in China in 2014, and used about 100 tonnes of mercury each year in their production processes.

In 2014, mercury-containing thermometers and sphygmomanometers were listed as high-pollution and high-environmental-risk products by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of China. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment is currently initiating the development of a National Implement Plan for implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, including the phase-out of mercury containing medical thermometers and sphygmomanometers.

Mercury-containing thermometers and sphygmomanometers are widely used in China. There are nearly 1 million medical facilities at different levels. Data on the current use of mercury-containing thermometers and sphygmomanometers in medical facilities is still unclear.

In light of the phase-out of the manufacture of mercury-containing thermometers and sphygmomanometers in the near future, it is necessary to gain better understanding of consumption patterns, of representative samples of the overall landscape of the various types of medical facilities to be targeted in demonstration ahead of upscaling, of sound management of obsolete mercury-containing thermometers and sphygmomanometers and proper application of non-mercury devices, and ways to incentivize rapid uptake of non-mercury devices, so that the medical facilities in China are well prepared for the application of mercury-free medical thermometers and sphygmomanometers.

The manufacture of mercury-free thermometers and sphygmomanometers has been encouraged by the National Development and Reform Commission of China since 2011. Some regulations on the calibration of electronic thermometers have also been issued from 2009. However, gaps still exist between the current regulatory system and the requirements of the Minamata Convention on Mercury on the phase-out of the production of mercury-containing thermometers and sphygmomanometers and the application of mercury-free medical devices. Therefore, cross ministerial cooperation (e.g., Environment, Health, and Industry, etc.) to jointly develop the necessary action plans and guidelines, and identify appropriate private sector partners is required to phase out the production of mercury-containing medical thermometers and sphygmomanometers in enterprises and introduce mercury-free medical devices in medical facilities.

In order to phase out mercury in the thermometers and sphygmomanometers, UNDP and FECO/MEE jointly developed Project Identification Form (PIF) with the aim to request PPG for the project: Demonstration of production phase-out of mercury-containing medical thermometers and sphygmomanometers and promoting the application of mercury-free alternatives in medical facilities in China, and submitted to GEF secretariat. The GEF secretariat sent letter to approve the request Project Preparation Grant on 20 November 2019. A GEF Preparation Project Grant (PPG) of $300,000 was also approved for formulation of a full-size project proposal with the condition that the final project document will be submitted for GEF CEO Endorsement no later than 12 months after Council approval of the work program

The PPG stage, which will start from December 19, 2019 to November 19, 2020, is to refine project objectives, outcomes, and outputs as well as the work plan and budget for each of the project components as noted in the PIF for final formulation of a full-size project document. It will also serve to improve baseline scenario mapping, cost-effectiveness and the global benefits of the project, and secure firm co-financing commitments for each of the project components. Additionally, resources will be applied to finance the stakeholder and public consultation process required as input to this detailed scope definition and for national endorsement of the final project documentation.

The principle overall output of the PPG will be the detailed definition of the project scope in terms of technical details and implementation arrangements as set out in a Project Document, including:

  • validation of project design with the government and other counterparts;
  • barrier analyses, based on consultant reports and a multi-stakeholder workshop
  • logical framework, based on a multi-stakeholder workshop and the recommendations of consultancy studies, including indicators and quantified targets, combined with baseline values supplied by thematic consultants
  • participation strategy;
  • analysis of the programmatic baseline;
  • project budget and work plan in standard UNDP and GEF format;
  • monitoring and evaluation strategy;
  • learning and replication strategy and
  • text and supportive technical analyses detailing the justification and strategies of the project.

Objective

The assignment is to provide technical expertise for development of a full size GEF-funded project on Demonstration of production phase-out of mercury-containing medical thermometers and sphygmomanometers and promoting the application of mercury-free alternatives in medical facilities in China and input in the formulation of a high quality Project Document accordingly, utilizing and adhering to the appropriate UNDP GEF templates and guidance for GEF-7 that will be provided by UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work and Final Products

The International Training Specialist will provide specialist inputs on medical training and experiences of phase-out mercury-added products in healthcare industry to support the development of the UNDP Project Document (ProDoc), and work closely with the National Mercury Waste Handling and Management Specialist, the Industrial and Health specialist organizations, to build capacity in the safe-handling and management of mercury waste (including contaminated equipment) through development of relevant training plans and modules for relevant stakeholders, whether for government enforcement or inspectorate, enterprise and/or medical facility personnel. The consultant will be a specialist in designing and developing training plan including training needs assessment, appropriate courses and training modules and timeline, with better considering in conjunction with WHO and associated international agencies.

Deliverables

1) Preparatory Technical Studies and Reviews (Component A): Prepare inputs and support the required analyses/studies, as agreed with the GEF PPG Expert Team Leader, including:

  • Assess existing training needs, appropriate courses and training modules in China and identify opportunities to integrate WHO and associated international agencies collaboration, South-South cooperation, and the Belt and Road Initiative. The uptake of more phase-out mercury-added products in healthcare industry (i.e., thermometer, sphygmomanometer and dental amalgam) international experiences and behaviours;
  • Identify additional functionality, activities and budget needed to achieve the training goal.
  • Identify project interventions to support knowledge exchange and transfer on non-mercury alternatives market development, leveraging existing networks, platforms, resources and processes. 
  • Work closely with National Mercury Waste Handling and Management Specialist to build training tools and curricula to enhance capacity in safe-handling and management of mercury waste (including contaminated equipment) and safeguarding personnel from contaminated areas on premises, for government inspectorate/enforcement and enterprise personnel.

2) Contributions to the Formulation of the ProDoc, CEO Endorsement Request and Mandatory and Project Specific Annexes (Component B):

  • Provide relevant quality text sections for the ProDoc on the aspects mentioned above.
  • Coordinated by lead technical specialist, working with other areas of the PPG team specialists, ensuring, inter alia:
  • Overall contribution to strengthening the theory of change, project baseline, projections for impact and transformation through the project, and embedding post-project replication and long-term sustainability modalities in the design of component activities,
  • Flagging barriers, risks (SESP and non-SESP risks such as institutional, financial, political, climate risks etc) and solutions in this particular area of PPG consultancy,
  • Contribution to stakeholder identification to contribute to stakeholder and gender plan development as required
  • Contribution to relevant areas of indicator development and the overall M&E framework, and
  • Any other foundational activities that are required to validate baseline and ultimately the approaches developed for the relevant component activities of the project.

3) Validation Workshop (Component C):

  • Participate in and contribute to the validation workshop, if necessary; and
  • Support necessary revisions that arise during the workshop, as appropriate.

4) Final Deliverables:

  • Report summarizing the status quo of the mercury-added products in healthcare industry (i.e., thermometer, sphygmomanometer and dental amalgam) abroad, and it’s phasing out international experiences;
  • A training plan considering in conjunction with WHO or other related organizations /agencies, includes training needs assessment, appropriate courses and training modules, the best available resources person or organization list, corresponding training calendar and budget, and replication/long-term sustainability methodology to embed training capacity in China;
  • Appropriate inputs to the final UNDP-GEF project document based on guidance from the PPG Team Leader.

Competencies

  • Demonstrated understanding of political, legal and institutional context and priorities for medical devices production and usage;
  • Demonstrated understanding of potential impacts of mercury on environment and human beings an advantage;
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Required Skills and Experience

  • Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field, such as medical training; public health or related field;
  • Minimum 3 years of demonstrable experience in phasing-out mercury-added products in healthcare industry (i.e., thermometer, sphygmomanometer and dental amalgam);

Duration and travel plan

The duration of this assignment is from January 2020 to October 2020.

The working days will be in total of 30 days, of which 10 days will stay in China and local travels in China might be inclusive. Tentative travels to China are planned in March and August in 2020.

Duty Station: The consultant will be home-based with travel to China as indicated in the travel plan.

Travel Plan: The assignment foresees two missions to China; one for formulation workshop and later for the validation workshop. Field Visit to the Project Sites will be included during the initial mission for the formulation workshop. All travel expenses associated with the trips (tickets, accommodation DSA) will be included in the financial offer (which needs to include (i) consultancy fees and (ii) estimated travel cost) as per UNDP rules and regulations. There may be also unforeseen travel that will come up during the execution of the contract which will be agreed on ad-hoc basis.

Payment terms

The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs of mission planned and any other applicable costs to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. Any unforeseen mission will be paid by UNDP if required and approved by UNDP CO. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration.

Institutional Arrangement

The Consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment. The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own working station (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, specific software, etc.) and must have access to a reliable internet connection.

The recruited international training specialist will report to the programme manager at UNDP China Office and FECO/MEE, and will work closely with the project Lead Consultant and the National Project Coordinator at FECO/MEE and other experts to be recruited under the preparation project. In order for the smooth implementation of the deliverables the consultant must liaise with other consultants recruited for PPG. Regular updates between the consultants and the National Coordinator must take place. The frequency and medium of updates/feedback between the PPG team will be mutually agreed upon contract signature. He/she should carry out his/her tasks in accordance with the rules and procedures of UNDP. Any other task that are not included above but during the assignment period later deemed important to ensure the quality of the deliverables could be proposed by the incumbent and shall be agreed jointly.

 

Evaluation Criteria

  • The award of the contract will be made to the Individual Consultant who has obtained the highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions.  Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated. The offers will be evaluated using the “Combined Scoring method” where:

  • Technical evaluation - 70%; (includes 20% of Job Related Technical Expertise; 25% of Relevant working experience; 25% of Methodology & Approach to Assignment)
  • Financial Evaluation - 30%.

UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that will take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply.

 

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
This vacancy is now closed.
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