Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a key partner to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and is the UN Agency assuming the role of Principal Recipient of a grant from the GFTAM on HIV, TB, resilient and sustainable systems for health (RSSH), and COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) interventions in South Sudan. UNDP signed an agreement with the GFATM for a project of the third New Funding Model (NFM3) with the goals of: reduction of new HIV infections by 50% by 2023 (from 2010 levels); reduction of deaths among people living with HV by 50% by 2023, reduction of TB incidence by at least 30% (relative to 2019), and curb the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on health programmes.

UNDP South Sudan is assisting the Ministry of Health in its efforts to scale up HIV, TB and COVID-19 services that entail full integration of HIV, TB, COVID-19 and other disease programmes in 102 (for TB) and 150 (for HIV) health facilities while strengthening the overall health systems and community systems in the fight against the diseases.

As Principal Recipient (PR) UNDP South Sudan Country Office As PR, UNDP bears the full responsibility for the operational and financial management of the NFM3 grant that comprising of HIV/TB/RSSH and C19RM interventions. UNDP is responsible for the programmatic and financial management of the Global Fund grant including the management of Sub Recipients (SRs), procurement and supply chain management of health and non-health products including last mile delivery, implementation of health

systems strengthening interventions such as establishment of health infrastructure and improvements, and the management of project assets. UNDP provides capacity building services to relevant national institutions, SRs, and implementing partners in all areas of implementation (i.e. Programme Management, M&E, Financial Management, and Procurement Management).

UNDP South Sudan is seeking the services of specialized Biomedical Engineer to carry out the repair, preventive maintenance, validation and calibration of Biological Safety Cabinets and the Negative Pressure System at the National TB Reference Laboratory (NTRL) and the HIV Laboratory within the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) located in Juba, South Sudan.

Duties and Responsibilities

The IC is expected to conduct 2 visits to Juba, South Sudan (with no travel to field locations). During the first visit, the IC will implement deliverables listed in Phase 1, while the second visit will focus on deliverables in Phase 2.

Phase 1: For a Total of 13 Working Days from 18 July 2022 to 3 August 2022 

Phase 2: For a Total of 13 Working Days from 14-30 November 2022 

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, the Biomedical Engineer will be responsible for the following tasks at the National TB Reference Laboratory (NTRL) and the HIV Laboratory within the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) located in Juba, South Sudan:  

  1. Carry out an assessment of 9 Biological Safety Cabinets at the NTRL and HIV Laboratory within the NPHL
  2. Repair, maintain, validate and calibrate 9 Biological Safety Cabinets at the NTRL and HIV Laboratory within the NPHL
  3. Carry out an assessment of the Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) Air Handling System / Negative Pressure System at the NTRL and HIV Laboratory, repair and maintain the system to ensure it is fully functional
  4. Provide refresher training and mentorship of laboratory staff operating laboratory equipment supported under this contract at the NTRL and HIV Laboratory within the NPHL
  5. Provide the specifications and quantification of consumables to maintain the full functionality of the Biological Safety Cabinets and the Negative Pressure System at the NTRL and HIV Laboratory within the NPHL. A clear methodology/template for the quantification of consumables must be developed to assist with future quantification of reagents and consumables.
  6. Develop SOPs including timelines for the routine maintenance, validation and calibration of the Biological Safety Cabinets and the Negative Pressure System at the NTRL and HIV Laboratory, including stickers for indicating the next service
  7. As part of the final report, provide professional guidance on the lifespan of the Biological Safety Cabinets at the NTRL and HIV Laboratory
  8. As part of the final report, provide recommendations on the management of the Biological Safety Cabinets and the Negative Pressure System by staff working at the NTRL and HIV Laboratory, including SOPs and process flow job aids  

Expected Deliverables:

A report(s) covering the following areas:

  1. An Inception report on the methodology and workplan for the consultancy
  2. Outcome of the assessment of 9 Biological Safety Cabinets at the NTRL and HIV Laboratory within the NPHL
  3. Outcome of the repair, maintenance, validation and calibration 9 Biological Safety Cabinets at the NTRL and HIV Laboratory within the NPHL
  4. Outcome of the assessment of the Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) Air Handling System / Negative Pressure System at the NTRL and HIV Laboratory, repair and maintain the system to ensure it is fully functional
  5. Outcome of the refresher training and mentorship of laboratory staff operating laboratory equipment supported under this contract at the NTRL and HIV Laboratory within the NPHL
  6. A quantification tool, comprising of the specifications and quantification of consumables to maintain the full functionality of the Biological Safety Cabinets and the Negative Pressure System at the NTRL and HIV Laboratory within the NPHL. A clear methodology/template for the quantification of consumables must be developed to assist with future quantification of reagents and consumables.
  7. SOPs including timelines for the routine maintenance, validation and calibration of the Biological Safety Cabinets and the Negative Pressure System at the NTRL and HIV Laboratory, including stickers for indicating the next service
  8. Professional guidance on the lifespan of the Biological Safety Cabinets at the NTRL and HIV Laboratory
  9. Recommendations on the management of the Biological Safety Cabinets and the Negative Pressure System by staff working at the NTRL and HIV Laboratory, including SOPs and process flow job aids
  10.  

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional:

  • Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products.

Project and Resource Management:

  • Ability to produce high quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs.
  • Ability to focus on impact and results for the client, promoting and demonstrating an ethic of client service.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Ability to work independently, produce high quality outputs.
  • Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage competing priorities.

Partnership building and teamwork:

  • Demonstrated well developed people management skills.
  • Strong ability to manage teams; creating an enabling environment, mentoring and developing staff.
  • Excellent negotiating and networking skills.
  • Demonstrated flexibility to excel in a multi-cultural environment.
  • Provides constructive coaching and feedback.

Communications and Advocacy:

  • Strong ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences and speak clearly and convincingly.
  • Strong presentation skills in meetings with the ability to adapt for different audiences.
  • Strong analytical, research and writing skills with demonstrated ability to think strategically.
  • Strong capacity to communicate clearly and quickly.
  • Strong inter-personal, negotiation and liaison skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • A Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering or Medical Laboratory Science or related technical qualifications
  • Valid professional certification in installation and maintenance of Laboratory Equipment, specifically Biological Safety Cabinets and Negative Pressure Systems

Experience:

  • At least five (5) years professional experience in repair, preventive maintenance, validation and calibration of Biological Safety Cabinets and the Negative Pressure System at Biosafety Level 2/3 Laboratories
  • Access to equipment to carry out the repair, preventive maintenance, validation and calibration of Biological Safety Cabinets and the Negative Pressure System at Biosafety Level 2/3 Laboratories is a must
  • Experience in preparation of laboratory equipment condition assessment and specifications for laboratories including installation, commissioning of large-scale maintenance networks of biomedical equipment including negative pressure systems
  • Work experience in resource limited post conflict countries highly desirable, including training of laboratory staff including laboratory technologists, assistants and infection control staff 
  • Solid experience in the management of people and systems in high-pressure environments 

  • Language:

  • Excellent oral and written English.  

Guidelines for Applications:

Interested applicants are advised to carefully review this advertisement and ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described.

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

  • Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position.
  • Signed and Updated Personal History Form (P11). Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references
  • The template can be downloaded from this link: http://sas.undp.org/documents/p11_personal_history_form.doc). 
  • Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability indicating financial proposal.

Please note that our system only takes one attachment. Therefore, kindly scan all your documents into a single PDF file to upload.

Security: Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under https://trip.dss.un.org

Air fares will always be “most direct, most economical” and any difference in price with the preferred route will be paid for by the expert.

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. rent of dwelling, fee, health insurance, vaccination, visa costs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged costs (except of the unforeseen travel costs for missions, if any) must be included in the financial proposal. Travel costs for missions will be paid separately according to UNDP rules and regulations.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

ANNEX 1- INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS is provided

here: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf

Travel: 

International travel - Payment of travel costs including tickets, terminal expenses and DSA should be agreed between UNDP and the Individual Consultant prior to travel; and will be covered and paid for by UNDP. The airfare will always be the “most direct, most economical” and any difference in price with the preferred route will be paid for by the individual consultant.

Domestic travel – this assignment is based in the South Sudan capital (Juba), and does not require travel outside of the capital.

Timeframe:

26 working days between 18 July 2022 to 31 December 2022. The assignment is divided into two visits 13 days each between within the allocated period

Phase 1: For a Total of 13 Working Days from 18 July 2022 to 3 August 2022 

Phase 2: For a Total of 13 Working Days from 14-30 November 2022