CHAI is supporting the Government of Eswatini in strengthening its medical oxygen infrastructure and market shaping by optimizing supply chains, improving governance of the oxygen ecosystem, building capacity of workers across the oxygen ecosystem, and providing evidence for policy and action through advanced analytics. To foster healthcare reforms across Oxygen Access, CHAI also supports strengthening of health systems in the country to improve availability, accessibility, affordability, acceptability of broader public healthcare services in the country.

Position Summary

We seek a dynamic Biomedical Engineering Expert in medical oxygen to provide project oversight for all medical oxygen infrastructure installation, testing, commissioning, handover according to quality standards. The Biomedical Engineering Consultant will supervise and monitor the oxygen infrastructure contracted suppliers/vendors to meet deliverables, working closely with the government Biomed Unit, Oxygen Stakeholders, and CHAI Oxygen team. The Biomedical Engineer Consultant must have strong quantitative and analytical skills, excellent verbal, and written communication skills, be self-directed, good understanding of Biomedical Engineering IOS standards, excellent project management skills, and be committed to excellence. The interest volunteer must be able to function with independently and flexibly.

Position Summary

We seek a dynamic Biomedical Engineering Expert in medical oxygen to provide project oversight for all medical oxygen infrastructure installation, testing, commissioning, handover according to quality standards. The Biomedical Engineering Consultant will supervise and monitor the oxygen infrastructure contracted suppliers/vendors to meet deliverables, working closely with the government Biomed Unit, Oxygen Stakeholders, and CHAI Oxygen team. The Biomedical Engineer Consultant must have strong quantitative and analytical skills, excellent verbal, and written communication skills, be self-directed, good understanding of Biomedical Engineering IOS standards, excellent project management skills, and be committed to excellence. The interest volunteer must be able to function with independently and flexibly.

Responsibilities include:

Coordination: 

• Ensure effective coordination and open, organized communication, information sharing, and tracking pending items between biomedical engineers/technicians, electrical engineers, architects, and project stakeholders.
• Facilitate and coordinate project meetings across all project sites.

Project Scheduling and Tracking: 

• Track and schedule activities of vendors, support staff and stakeholders across multiple projects.
• Managing the schedule of vendors deployed across project sites.  Ensuring that projects are appropriately staffed, and that vendors work on agreed schedule and plan.
• Ensure that projects are planned and vendors staff sites efficiently and do not allow competing commitments to override ongoing projects.

Monitoring and Progress Controls:

• Prepare monthly progress reports: progress of works based on the established schedules and plans, encountered problems, solutions, planning of activities for the following week, etc.
• Consolidated monthly/quarterly progress reports.

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish solid working relationship with the government.
• Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and can accept handover products.
• Advise stakeholders on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance)
• Manage the information flows between the project(s) and the government.
• Liaise with technical committee and end users.

Support for Medical Oxygen Program: 

• Organize, track, and support a wide variety of assessment, repair, system improvement, and training projects on all project sites.
• Carry out any additional responsibilities assigned by management.
• Participate in the equipment procurement

Professional Experience

A minimum of 2 years relevant experience in managing or advising ideally on the financing, design, specifications, sourcing and procurement, installation/assembly/ commissioning, storage and distribution, maintenance, and use of equipment (and systems) used for producing and storing oxygen, particularly in Low-Middle-Income-Countries (LMIC) with:

• experience/expertise in design and specification of medical oxygen equipment and systems in the public and/or private health sector
• experience/expertise in oxygen storage and distribution systems
• experience/expertise in installation, assembly, and commissioning of oxygen equipment to medical Liquid Oxygen (mLOX), Vacuum Insulated Evaporator (VIE) System and pressure swing adsorption (PSA) plants, with required infrastructure needs, maintenance, and servicing.
• experience with Oxygen telemetry
• a good understanding of the global and/or regional oxygen ecosystem, applicable national and international laws, and recognised quality standards
• good writing and analytical skills

The below experience/expertise would be very advantageous:

• experience/expertise in the sourcing and procurement of all oxygen-delivery systems (PSA plants, LOX tanks, ancillary devices, and equipment) including regulations and tendering process.
• experience/expertise in advising on financing of oxygen systems, including total cost of ownership.

Qualification and Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering; Electrical engineering, Mechanical engineering/hospital engineering or health technology
• Graduate degree (MSc. /MBA equivalent) preferred, which can be compensated by additional four years of professional experience
• Experience working within the Africa region.
• Previous experience working with Liquid Oxygen (LOX) tanks, PSA plants, air compressors or other related mechanical equipment is preferred.
• Project management experience is preferred.
• Ability to multi-task on several projects at once and meet project deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and an interest in collaborating with all project stakeholders.

Desirable

• Oxygen industry experience highly preferred
• Professional training in various medical oxygen plant design, procurement, installation/assembly, and maintenance
• Experience in overall system design and delivery of medical oxygen services in hospital
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience in implementing strategic activities especially related to sustainable financing for Government uptake.

Language Competencies: Must have good written and spoken English.

Nature of employment: This is a consulting role an independent consultant reporting directly to CHAI Program Manager, supported by the Ministry of Health and technical refer to CHAI Global Engineering Advisor.

Application:

Interested applicants should submit their application letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae and certified copies of qualifications through emailing: EswatiniCHAIHR@clintonhealthaccess.org

All individuals should submit their applications no later than 22nd October 2024. Short-listed individuals will be contacted to schedule an interview. We regret that we will only be able to respond to those applicants selected for interviews.