Consultant Biomedical Engineer

Terms of Reference Consultant Biomedical Engineer

  Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) is a five-year global project of FHI 360 funded by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). EpiC receives COVID-19 funding to prevent, prepare for, respond to and bolster health systems to address COVID-19 and reduce cases of reemergence. Currently, EpiC and its consortium members implement COVID-19 activities in more than 60 countries across the world.

 The project delivers high- quality technical assistance at the community, facility, district, regional and national levels, and builds relationships with relevant partners working to address COVID-19. Our ability to respond quickly to program, technical and procurement needs leverage our deep bench of country- based clinical, program, and community experts. EpiC is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Jamaica to capacitate two (2) public hospitals to expand use of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LOX).

 FHI 360/EpiC working in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) through funding from USAID now requires the services of a Biomedical Engineering Consultant to support the implementation of liquid medical oxygen expansion project within two public hospitals.

 Objective and scope of the work

 The main objective of this consultancy is to provide expert technical guidance to support the effective and efficient implementation of a liquid medical oxygen project aimed at upgrading the physical infrastructure required to increase the use of liquid medical oxygen in priority wards and units of the 2 target hospitals. The consultant will also support the development of sustainability plans for both hospitals including training and mentorship to designated teams.

 Tasks to be carried out by the consultant

The Consultant will be required to:

• Provide an Inception Report detailing the scope of work, program schedule, methodology and timelines.
• Review and provide feedback on submissions from technical experts such as bill of quantities and piping infrastructural design team
• Collaborate with the MOHW to conduct a medical oxygen gap analysis. This need- gap analysis will involve inter alia:

a) determining a baseline of oxygen supply capacity.

b) estimating the oxygen need/demand at each hospital and forecasting the total oxygen needs for each hospital during public health emergencies to include but not limited to a COVID-19 surge, other infectious diseases and disasters.

• Develop guiding tools and training materials to support capacity strengthening for both clinical and technical staff responsible for running and maintaining LOX systems at the target hospitals
• Support facilities to develop LOX sustainability plans in collaboration with the MOHW, the Regional Health Authority (RHA) and other key stakeholders.
• Participate in relevant technical working groups with government, stakeholders and implementing partner and work closely with the EpiC, MOHW, RHA and target facility technical teams to document and submit weekly and monthly and quarterly progress reports; project success stories; contribute to all USAID reporting deliverables
• Submit a final Consultancy Report highlighting the nature of the work undertaken noting the level of success and constraints in terms of methodologies used the nature and quality of stakeholder participations and any lessons learnt during the process.

 Deliverables

• Medical Oxygen Need-Gap Analysis Report for the 2 hospitals including specification for equipment and infrastructure needs to capacitate them to expand the use of liquid medical oxygen (LOX)
• Training tools and Materials developed for training and mentorship of clinical and technical staff in relation to safe and efficient LOX system maintenance and utilization
• Weekly, Monthly Report, Quarterly success stories
• Final consultancy report

 The consultant should do the above in consultation with the designated FHI 360 and MOHW Representatives. The Consultant is expected to provide a clear, concise, and comprehensive report that specifically outline activities undertaken.

 Payments shall be made based on satisfactory completion and acceptance of the deliverables. The deliverables shall be submitted by the Consultant in two (2) hard copies and electronic/soft copy in Microsoft Word Software or PDF to EpiC Jamaica for review and approval.

 Characteristics of the Consultancy

•  Type of Consultancy

The work will be carried out by an individual consultant or company with expertise in medical equipment condition assessment and specification of hospitals including installation, commissioning of large-scale maintenance networks of biomedical and hospital equipment such as central oxygen supply setup. The company or individual must have a complete understanding of the clinical usage of medical oxygen within the health sector.

• Reporting Relationship

The consultant or consultancy firm will report to the Senior Program Officer FHI 360/EpiC Project and liaise with designated technocrats of the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the, the respective Regional Health Authority and targeted hospitals.

• Duration

The duration of the consultancy is estimated at 50 days over a 12-month period commencing from the award of the contract.

 Minimum Qualifications, Experiences and Competencies

 First degree in Bio-Medical Engineering or in another field of engineering with postgraduate certification in Bio-Medical Engineering from a recognized institution or any other equivalent graduate qualification.

• Knowledge of the following standards NFPA 99- Medical Gas Systems or AAMI and ACCE in Clinical Engineering.
•  A minimum of ten (10) years professional experience in preparation and oversight of medical equipment condition assessment and specifications of hospitals including installation, commissioning large scale maintenance networks of biomedical and hospital equipment such as patient ventilators, monitors, oxygen concentrators and central oxygen supply setup is required.
• Successful completion of two (2) similar assignments i.e., Oxygen analysis or medical gas piping assessment for health systems.
• A minimum of two (2) years working experience in a developing country setting is desirable.
• Experience with partner coordination and collaboration including experience working with Ministries of Health and/or other Government entities.
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding of international, and industry best practices in medical gas utilization in healthcare facilities.
• Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders from public and private sectors.
• Excellent research skills including desk research, interviewing skills, focus group facilitation.
• Excellent critical reasoning, quantitative and qualitative analysis skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; the incumbent must be proficient in English.

 How to Apply

Interested individuals should submit their CV and biodata form by midnight August 10, 2022. Email subject line must include “Biomedical Engineer.” We appreciate all interest in this opportunity but please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.