Biomedical Engineer

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions. HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.

This position operates within the Infrastructure Team, focusing on biomedical infrastructure projects across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan. The Biomedical Engineer will play a crucial role in ensuring the successful planning, design, procurement, installation, and commissioning of medical gas systems and other biomedical equipment in health facilities. The role requires strong technical expertise, project management skills, and the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders in challenging environments.

The Biomedical Engineer will conduct substantive analysis, judging the validity of conclusions, and synthesizing proposals to meet demands related to biomedical infrastructure projects. The role involves technical assessments, design review, procurement support, installation supervision, and knowledge management to ensure the successful implementation of high-quality biomedical systems.

Work Package Performance, Delivery and Reporting

• Support the Infrastructure Team in planning, implementing, and monitoring biomedical infrastructure work packages, including medical gas systems such as oxygen plants, manifolds, vacuum systems, and pipeline networks.
• Assist in the development and implementation of Quality Management Plans (QMP), Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) plans, and other control mechanisms for biomedical systems.
• Monitor progress and quality of biomedical engineering activities, report risks or deviations, and propose corrective measures.
• Contribute to regular progress reporting, documentation, and stakeholder updates.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination between field teams, contractors, suppliers, and facility representatives.

Feasibility Study / Needs Assessment

• Conduct technical assessments of health facilities across HAMCO countries to determine readiness and suitability for installation of biomedical infrastructure including integrated medical gas plants and Medical Gas Pipeline System( MGPS).
• Identify spatial, utility, and safety requirements for installation of biomedical systems, especially oxygen and MGPS infrastructure.
• Support preparation of feasibility reports and technical options in consultation with users, partners and clinical staff.

 Design and Design Review

• Contribute to the design, design review, and technical validation of biomedical infrastructure including: Medical oxygen generation systems (e.g. PSA plants); Medical Air; Manifolds, vacuum and; Gas pipeline distribution networks
• Prepare and/or review technical drawings, design reports, BoQs, and technical specifications for procurement of biomedical infrastructure and equipment.
• Support development of installation layouts and facility readiness requirements.

Procurement Support and providing assistance in tender document preparation

• Provide technical input to the preparation and review of procurement documents related to biomedical infrastructure, including medical gas systems and associated equipment.
• Assist in drafting and validating technical specifications, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), and performance requirements for inclusion in tender documents.
• Support the preparation of bidding documents in accordance with UNOPS procurement procedures, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with project needs.
• Participate in technical evaluation of bids and advise on the compliance of proposals with specifications and design requirements.
• Coordinate with procurement teams to ensure alignment between technical requirements and procurement strategies.
• Contribute to supplier and vendor queries during tendering processes and provide clarifications as required.
• Assist in pre-bid meetings and site visits to ensure potential bidders fully understand the technical scope and installation requirements.

Installation Supervision, Inspection, Testing, Commissioning, and Handover

• Supervise the installation of biomedical infrastructure including integrated medical gas systems and ensure compliance with approved designs, safety protocols, and quality standards.
• Conduct site visits to monitor physical works, verify progress, identify technical issues, and support timely resolution.
• Inspect materials, components, and installation works to ensure they meet required specifications and standards
• Oversee commissioning and functional testing of biomedical installations including: Oxygen plant systems, Manifold switching systems, Alarm and safety features, Gas pipeline integrity and pressure testing
• Review test protocols and results to confirm system performance and compliance.
• Review commissioning reports, supervise training sessions for end users and maintenance personnel, and ensure all documentation is properly completed and handed over.
• Ensure proper archiving of technical records, including as-built drawings, equipment manuals, warranty certificates, calibration logs, and inspection/test reports.

Knowledge Management

• Maintain organized and comprehensive documentation for all biomedical infrastructure and system installations.
• Capture lessons learned from medical gas and other biomedical projects and contribute to technical knowledge sharing.
• Support capacity building and training sessions for health facility staff and infrastructure team members.
• Participate in reviews and internal technical exchanges aimed at improving biomedical engineering practices.

Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Biomedical Engineering or a related field.

Desired

• Masters degree or equivalent in Biomedical Engineering or a related field.

Required

• Minimum of 4 years experience in biomedical engineering, including experience with medical gas systems,

• Minimum of 2 years experience in medical equipment system design, procurement, quality control, installation supervision, testing and commissioning.
  
  

Desired

• Experience working in international development or humanitarian settings.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here [link removed]. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here. [link removed]
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.