UNDP Jobs - 49051- Biomedical/Biotechnical Engineer to Support the Re

Biomedical/Biotechnical Engineer to Support the Redesigning of the BSL 2+ or 3 and PCR laboratory in the National Reference Laboratory in Juba, South Sudan

Location :

SOUTH SUDAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

08-Sep-2014

Application Deadline :

01-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

4 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

4 Months

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.

Background

UNDP is a key partner to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) and is the UN agency assuming the role of Principal Recipient of GFATM grants in South Sudan for TB and HIV/AIDS. In its role as Principal Recipient, UNDP ensures quality financial management, timely procurement of supplies, and efficient monitoring and service delivery. UNDP’s management role consists of implementing grants, ensuring financial accountability, and training of national and international counterparts on programme management, financial accountability and timely programmatic reporting to the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and Global Fund (GF) Secretariat.

Round 5 TB/HIV and Round 7 TB grants are one of the projects managed by UNDP South Sudan with the overall goal of dramatically reducing the burden of tuberculosis in South Sudan, and as well decreasing the burden of TB amongst HIV patients and vise-versa.

One of the objectives of the Round 7 TB project is to detect multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB cases among patients on standard DOTS treatment. The accomplishment of this objective is ensured through rehabilitation of a TB Reference Laboratory that is capable of diagnosis of MDR TB and drug sensitivity testing (DST); strengthening the human capacities through training on culture and DST for TB and provision of quality assurance within and outside the country. The TB Reference Laboratory will be located within the premises and building of the Public Reference Laboratory of South Sudan. The main objective for the startup of the TB Reference Laboratory is to install ventilation system for the purpose of strengthening infection control measures in the tuberculosis reference laboratory.

The Round 5 TB/HIV project aims at establishing mechanisms for collaboration between TB and HIV/AIDS programmes, decreasing the burden of TB in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and decreasing the burden of HIV/AIDS in TB patients. One of the key components of the project includes working with the MoH and other partners in strengthening laboratory services in South Sudan. One of the key task under this component is to set up the Virology/PCR Reference Laboratory through rehabilitation of the existing structure to ensure it meets minimum international standards for installation of a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The TB/HIV project envisage to install a PCR as part of improvement of virological diagnostics including Viral Load Testing, Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV, and as well as surveillance of other disease outbreaks such as influenza, etc. In order to maintain adequate infection control measures, the PCR Reference Laboratory needs rehabilitation and installation of a ventilation system.

UNDP South Sudan is seeking the services of an Expert on engineering design, specifications development for renovation and installation of the ventilation system in the TB & PCR Reference Laboratory to ensure level 2+ or 3 biosafety for TB culture and DST (TB), and as well as Viral Load Testing, Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV, and surveillance of other disease outbreaks such as influenza, etc (PCR). In addition, the Expert is expected to carry out a high level of professional capacity to supervise the whole process.

Duties and Responsibilities

Consultancy Objectives:

The objectives of this assignment are:

To review the bidding documents for the mechanical and civil works for the TB & PCR Reference laboratory project;
Oversee installation of TB Reference Laboratory & PCR Room Ventilation System; and
Oversee Civil Works during renovation of a TB Reference Laboratory & PCR Reference Laboratory.

Scope of work:
Phase I: Review of Assessment & Design Works

The Consultant will review previous assessments reports (by CDC, The Union and private consultants) done to establish a TB Reference Laboratory& PCR rooms. S/he will also review the design works including engineering designs of infrastructure rehabilitation for installation of the negative pressure ventilation system as well as the civil works required for adequate infection control and smooth work flow in TB culture and DST and the PCR.

The proposed infrastructure rehabilitation and installation of ventilation system will necessitate optimal utilization of available indoor space, including culture and DST, protecting workers, and specimens.

The areas for renovation for the TB Laboratory are:

Store;
Sample reception / Microscopy;
Culture lab - (containment space) BSL 2+ or BSL 3;
Staff and Meeting room;
Microscopy training room, sterilization and media preparation rooms.

With regards to the PCR Laboratory, the proposed infrastructure rehabilitation and installation of ventilation system will necessitate optimal utilization of available indoor space and include demolition/breaking of walls in an existing structure; concrete works; masonry works; floor and wall finishes; painting; doors and windows; water supply, sewerage and drainage works; electrical works; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); and fire fighting system;

The areas for renovation for the PCR Laboratory are:

Pre-PCR room;
Post-PCR room;
Reagent storage room.

The Consultant will review the previous recommendations as a part of the engineering design, provide specification for mechanical engineering equipment and means of personal protection, as well as develop a maintenance plan of the ventilation system for the Reference Laboratory (TB Culture & PCR). The maintenance plans will adopt appropriate actions for different high-risk areas of the facility and identify the workers responsible for the maintenance and monitoring of the ventilation system and infection control equipment, as well as provide recommendations for staff need to be educated about use, safety and maintenance of the equipment.

Phase II: Preparation & Review of Bidding Document

The Consultant will work in cooperation with experts from the Ministry of Health and members of the MDR-TB Working Group and the HIV/AIDS Surveillance Team in consultation with the specialists on TB and Virology, and construction issues to develop the bidding documentation for initiating a tender process for selection of a construction company to implement planned rehabilitation of the TB and PCR Reference Laboratory, including installation of negative pressure ventilation system.

The following will be documents to be developed or reviewed:

Technical description and scope of work of Constructor for TB and TCR Reference Laboratory;
Review of the Bill of quantities already prepared;
Review of the Technical specifications of the ventilation equipment;
Review of Construction drawings.

Phase III: Supervision of Installation of Mechanical System and Civil Works

The consultant, in collaboration with the technical team from MOH and UNDP, will supervise all engineering works from beginning to the end of the project. The civil works entail demolition of some walls, closure of some windows, changing ceilings, floor and wall tiles in some rooms, and installation of emergency equipments at certain points. The consultant will supervise the installation of internationally approved ventilation system to create negative pressure in the recommended rooms to attain bio-safety level 2+/3.

Proposed Time Frame

Duration of Phase I: Total number of days for Phase I will be10 calendar days from the date of contract signature.
Duration of Phase II: Total number of days for review of the package of bidding documents will be 05 calendar days after completion of Phase I (The assignment does not assume any travel and consultant will be based in Juba.)
Duration of Phase III: Total number of days for supervision of installation of mechanical system and civil works shall be 60-90 calendar days. The consultant is expected to come back for supervision once the construction company is contracted and starts the work.

Expected Output

The Consultant will submit the reports by phases to the UNDP-GF Program Management Unit in South Sudan in accordance with contracting duration of each phase (Report of the mission including main findings and recommendations on administrative and engineering).
The draft report (review of plans and drawings) indicating the location, length, capacity, and proposed solutions for renovation should be submitted to the UNDP-GF Unit in South Sudan before proceeding with the final technical and engineering design is out for bidding.

The consultant shall submit reports at every milestone of the renovation works and installation of the equipment:

Milestone 1-1: Submission of the inception report within three days from the date of contracting period;
Milestone 1-2: Submission of the draft proposal for the modified design;
Milestone 1-3: Submission of the final proposal for the final design;
Milestone 2-1: Submission of the technical description, scope of work, Bill of quantities, Construction drawing and special conditions etc.;
Milestone 2-2: Submission of the review report of finalized ITB;
Milestone 3.1: Submission of the Technical recommendations, supervision for the construction and installation of equipment and recommendation for the payment for the one third of the construction period;
Milestone 3.2: Submission of the technical recommendations, supervision for the construction and installation of equipment and recommendation for the payment for the two third of the construction period;
Milestone 3.2: Submission of the technical recommendations, supervision for the construction and installation of equipment and recommendation for the payment for the completion;
Milestone 3.3 Submission of the completion report;
Available Facilities and Support;
Drawings and BOQ, which were already prepared by Government of South Suday;
Two way flight ticket to come to South Sudan and return back;
Accommodation and transportation facilities in South Sudan for the consultancy period;
Office accommodation and power connection to the computer during the consultancy period;
Printing facilities to print the documents related to the consultancy service

Field Work Arrangement & Methodology

The consultant will deliver the final technical design and the bidding documents (based on the final report) to the UNDP-GF Programmme Implementation Unit in South Sudan in English language in 2 copies.
Consultant will be report to UNDP/GFATM PMU Grant Manager for the fulfilment of the assignment.

Payment schedule

Payment 1: 20 % of the payment upon the completion of the mile stone 1, acceptable by the client;
Payment 2: 20% of the payment upon the completion of milestone 2 acceptable by the client;
Payment 3: 15 % of the payment upon the completion of the milestone 3-1, acceptable by the client;
Payment 4: 15 % of the payment upon the completion of the milestone 3-1, acceptable by the client;
Payment 5: 15 % of the payment upon the completion of the milestone 3-1, acceptable by the client;
Payment 6: 15 % of the payment upon the submission of the final report acceptable by the client;
Eligible applicants should apply online or forward their application documents to Head of Procurement Unit UNDP South Sudan: bids.juba@undp.org or by carrier.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Self-development, initiative-taking;
Acting as a team supervisor and facilitating team work;
Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
Creating synergies through self-control;
Managing conflict;
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Informed and transparent decision making;
Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.

Corporate competences:

Commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age differences;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment;
Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University Degree in Biomedical engineering or related field (as a minimum requirement);
Advanced university degree in ventilation systems designing (desirable);

Experience:

At least 5 years of professional experience in inspection or supervision of construction works on health care sites; experience in design of ventilations systems for health care facilities requiring implication of infection control measures; The Consultant must have proven consultancy experience in similar projects;
Experience in conducting and drawing designs of TB Culture Reference Laboratory and PCR Laboratory;
Experience in designing of ventilation systems in BSL-III health care facilities;
Multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills are necessary;
Proficiency in AutoCAD;
Experience of working in developing countries with minimal infrastructure is an asset.

Language:

Proficient in English verbal and written.