UNDP Jobs - 95332- Biomedical Equipment Consultant

Biomedical Equipment Consultant

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

07-Dec-2020

Application Deadline :

30-Nov-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Up to 60 days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

7 December 2020 to 30 June 2021

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

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life, as envisaged by 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are on the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners that can bring about results.

UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund is a powerful contributor to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including SDG 3 and UNDP’s Strategic Plan (2018-2021); through this partnership, UNDP plays a key role in supporting countries facing challenging circumstances to deliver the SDGs, to strengthen institutions to progressively deliver universal access to basic services (Outcome 3) and a return to sustainable development pathways in post conflict and post-disaster settings (Outcome 6). In strategic terms, in 2016 and 2017 the partnership between UNDP and the Global Fund was marked by increased convergence among implementation support, capacity development/systems strengthening and policy.

First, UNDP continued to strengthen its status as a key implementer of Global Fund grants in crisis and early recovery environments, including procurement and supply management and quality assurance of health products in line with UNDP’s Quality Assurance Policy for Health Products (2018) (QA Policy). Second, UNDP responded to increasing demand for capacity development from national entities and the Global Fund to strengthen resilient systems for health through a new generation of capacity development plans. A key area for support is on procurement and supply chain management, including quality assurance. And third, as UNDP’s policy and implementation roles increasingly converge and reinforce each other, UNDP is supporting the Global Fund to increase engagement on human rights, key populations and gender aspects of disease responses at a strategic, policy and program level (as priority objectives in the Global Fund Strategy, “Investing to End Epidemics” (2017-2022). As of January 2017, UNDP served as the temporary Principal Recipient (PR) for 34 Global Fund grants covering 19 countries and 3 regional grants.? Given the importance of the partnership with the Global Fund, UNDP continues to provide high value-added services both in its PR role, increasingly as a significant technical partner to governments, and to civil society organizations (CSOs) who implement Global Fund grants. This is overseen by the BBPS/HHD Global Fund/Health Implementation Support Team (GF/HIST) in close coordination with Country Offices, Regional Bureaus, the Legal Office and the Bureau of Management.? In addition, the GF/HIST oversees the implementation of the QA Policy, the revision and refinement of the Policy to reflect lessons learnt in line with international standards.

The national and international health landscapes are rapidly changing,? new health initiatives are emerging and bring to light pressing challenges connected with health systems strengthening including, health procurement and supply management that require a new modus operandi to optimize UNDP’s investments into global health. These opportunities go beyond UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund.? In addition, there is a need for UNDP to continue to expand opportunities for partnerships with key stakeholders on health procurement including GAVI, World Bank and UNITAID. UNDP has a broad range of partnerships including with technical partners (e.g., WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, Stop TB) and emergency and humanitarian partners (e.g., UNHCR, IRC, OCHA).?

UNDP’s Support to COVID-19

COVID-19 is a critical issue for UNDP. It is as much a health and development emergency as it is a human security crisis. In order to deliver on its mission eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities and building resilience to crisis and shocks, UNDP must help countries to urgently and effectively respond to COVID-19 in the context of the 2030 Agenda.? Drawing on UNDP’s experience with other outbreaks such as Ebola, HIV, SARS, TB and malaria, as well as our long history of working with the private and public sector, UNDP is helping countries to urgently and effectively respond to COVID-19 as part of its mission to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and build resilience to crises and shocks. UNDP, together with our UN family and other partners, are prioritizing, supporting the health response including the procurement and supply of essential health products, under WHO’s leadership, strengthening crisis management and response, and addressing critical social and economic impacts.? UNDP is participating as a member of the Joint UN Task Force on Procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), providing technical assistance including, quality assurance. UNDP has procured over US$140 million of PPE and Medical Devices (MDs) since the beginning of March 2020.

Objective of the assignment

The consultant will assist UNDP GF/HIST in the assessment of the Medical Devices (biomedical equipment) offered by the suppliers to UNDP procurement entities including from GHPC, Regional Bureaus, and Country Offices. In addition, the Consultant will review the specifications and QA criteria for the biomedical equipment that UNDP is requested to procure and, in conjunction with UNDP QA team, will establish a list of qualified biomedical equipment authorized for purchase. The consultant will provide recommendations for the development of tools and formats for the assessment of biomedical equipment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Quality Assurance Advisor (Copenhagen), the Consultant will work in close collaboration with the UNDP? QA for Medical Devices experts in the assessment of biomedical equipment? to ensure its compliance with UNDP QA Policy. The Consultant will:

Provide support to the QA Advisor for the development of appropriate specifications and QA criteria for biomedical equipment;
Assess the product information (documentation) submitted by the suppliers of biomedical equipment to UNDP GHPC,Regional Bureaus and CO’s;
Assess the characteristics and performances of the biomedical equipment to procure in the context of the COVID19 outbreak and verify the conformity with WHO recommendations;
Assist the QA Advisor in the communication with stakeholders for issues related to the quality, safety and performances of the biomedical equipment supplied by UNDP;
Assist the QA Advisor for regulatory issues related to the importation, registration and market surveillance of the biomedical equipment supplied by UNDP;
Provide support to QA Advisor in the development of the QA policy for MDs;?
When appropriate, will provide support to UNDP GHPC to conduct market research, collect background information, provide recommendations for improving the suitability and range of biomedical equipment to procure.

Expected Deliverables:

Technical advice given to the QA Advisor on technical issues raised by COs on biomedical equipment required by COs and proposed by suppliers including for COVID19;
Reports reflecting the outcome of the assessment of biomedical equipment including for COVID19;
Reports on the development of appropriate specifications and QA criteria for key biomedical equipments;
Update on international norms and standards for biomedical equipment;
Reports on level of compliance and deviations from UNDP QA criteria;
Benefits/risks analysis on sources proposed and recommendations for decisions.

Reporting: The consultant will report to the GF HIST Quality Assurance Advisor (Copenhagen).

Travel: The consultant will be home-based.

If unforeseen travel is required, travel costs will be covered by UNDP according to its rules and regulations.? Travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses will be agreed upon, between UNDP and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be covered and paid by UNDP.

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

Evaluation:?Applicants will be screened against qualifications and competencies specified below through a desk review or an interview. Applicants will be evaluated based on: Cumulative analysis method that combines the results of technical and financial evaluation results.

Technical Evaluation Criteria (maximum 70 points):

Criteria 1:? At least 10 years’ experience in the hospital sector or international organizations (20 points);

Criteria 2: Experience in assessment, procurement and installation of biomedical equipment for hospitals (15 points);

Criteria 3:? Experience in materiovigilance and maintenance of biomedical equipment (15 points);

Criteria 4: Good knowledge of WHO norms and standards for MDs and international regulations (15 points);

Criteria 5: Second UN language (5 points).

Financial Evaluation Criteria (maximum 30 points):

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Payment Method:

Payment: All-inclusive daily fee

The consultant will be paid as a daily rate (based on the number of days worked);
Payments will be based on the Certificate of Payments that will be submitted on a monthly basis;
Time Sheet will be attached and verified by the direct supervisor; and
Final tranche upon performance evaluation from the direct supervisor.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

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

Project and Resource Management:

Ability to work independently, produce high quality outputs.?

Partnership building and teamwork:

Demonstrated flexibility to excel in a multi-cultural environment;
Provides constructive coaching and feedback.

Communications and Advocacy:

Strong ability to write clearly, 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 capacity to communicate clearly and quickly;
Strong inter-personal, negotiation and liaison skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Experience:

At least 10 years’ experience in the hospital sector or international organizations;
Experience in assessment, procurement and installation of biomedical equipment for hospitals;
Experience in materiovigilance and maintenance of biomedical equipment;
Good knowledge of WHO norms and standards for MDs and international regulations.

Languages:

Fluent in English;
A second UN language is an asset.

GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION:

Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (Annex 5). The Financial Proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily fee in USD. The Financial Proposal should be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract and supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.
Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;

If the Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

*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. Unforeseen travel costs for missions, if any, will be paid separately according to UNDP rules and regulations. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.

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

Annex 1 - UNDP P-11 Form for ICs

Annex 2 - IC Contract Template

Annex 3 – IC General Terms and Conditions

Annex 4 – RLA Template

Annex 5 –Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability