Back ground

The Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MOH) has different initiatives regarding medical devices, such as the maintenance and installation campaign, developing directive, roadmap (strategy), developing refurbishment guide and implementing medical equipment management information system (MEMIS) which are working well and still need partner support. Currently, it is reported that, more than 15% of the medical devices are not functional. Some medical devices have not yet been installed. Continuous on-site mentoring and training is needed for the bio medical engineers and technicians at regional, zonal and health facility levels.

Summary

Title: Consultant for supporting the MOH, RHBs, and health facilities to ensure functionality and sustainability of medical equipment including NICU procured by UNICEF.

Purpose: This position requires to avail a consultant who will take responsibility for identifying needs, preparing training modules for medical equipment installation and maintenance , facilitating onsite and cascaded training, engaging in the installation, conducting functional and acceptance testing and maintenance of equipment, and supporting scoping and forecasting of consumables and spares. He/she will work in collaboration with PMED, MOH, biomedical technicians at health facilities, Zonal health Departments and Regional Health Bureaus.

Location: Addis Ababa 

Duration: Eleven months 

No of consultants: Start Date 1st September, 2021

Reporting to; PMED Directorate, MOH and Health Section, UNICEF 

Justification 

UNICEF Ethiopia has been supporting the MOH on the procurement medical devices through both procurement services and several projects, including medical oxygen supply devices, NICU medical devices, delivery medical devices and other essential MNH supplies and equipment. To ensure efficient use and long-term sustainability of the equipment, there is need for availability of staff with required capacity to use and maintain the equipment. This request is therefore to engage a consultant to provide the required capacity building to health workers as end users and technicians in health facilities supported by UNICEF. Health facilities and regions will be prioritized based on the rapid assessment.

Objective:

• This consultancy support is expected to consolidate the gains that facilitate the functionality of MNCH medical equipment at health facility level and build the capacity of the biomedical engineers (BME) and technicians (BMT) to ensure sustainability of procured equipment.

Specific Tasks, during her/his consultancy period 

• In consultation with the PMED experts, the consultant will be responsible for preparing training modules, providing onsite and class based training, engaging in the installation, maintenance, functional and acceptance testing and commencing regular field visits for maintenance of medical equipment in collaboration with biomedical Engineers/ technicians at health facilities, Zonal health Departments and Regional Health Bureaus.
• Under guidance from PMED (MOH), child case team (MCH Directorate), and UNICEF Health Section, the consultant will conduct the following detail specific activities: 

Conduct a brief rapid assessment, adapt/utilize existing survey results, and design contingent an implementation plan: 

• Develop a selection criterion to identify facilities and type of medical devices which will be included in the assessment in collaboration with the stakeholders (UNICEF, MOH, RHBs, HFs…), 
• Design an efficient, high-quality assessment checklist, get approval from UNICEF and MoH,
• Conduct the rapid assessment, through field visits, covering the following areas (plus any additional):

1. Identify needs for clinical, use, and preventative/curative maintenance capacity building on the selected equipment for hospitals and health centers 
2. Identify and technically specify and recommend fast moving spares and consumables for selected equipment and map its availability within and outside the country (i.e., replenishment mechanism), in consultation with the clinical staff,
3. Identify gaps in infrastructure and HR that preclude efficient and effective use and maintenance of the equipment

• Analysis of the assessment and synthesis of the results, developing a brief evidence-based report for decision-making to UNICEF and MoH,
• Formulate an implementation plan to improve the hands-on skills for biomedical engineers and or technicians to ensure the sustainability of medical device management – gathering feedback and approval from UNICEF, MOH (PMED and MCH), gathering feedback from UNICEF, MOH (PMED and MCH)- and finalize. 
• The implementation plan should include the rationale, approach, and schedule of visits, training, cascaded training, budgeting and other activities; coverage in terms of equipment; coverage in terms of participants and geographical area/facility; modality; partners; facilitators/master trainers; and all other details that the consultant will move forward to implement. 

Adapt and revise the training job-aids and facilitate the trainings 

• Based on results of quick assessment and the implementation plan, adapt, or develop relevant training job-aids developed PMED and service delivery standards for each piece of prioritized equipment based on the identify gaps,
• Define training objectives and map the trainees (BME/T and end users),
• Facilitate the print of the training job-aids/standards/materials after their approval by MoH and UNICEF, 
• Improve the capacity development of BME/T and end users through methodology detailed in the implementation plan, including coordinating and conducting end user and technical training through ToT and cascaded training at RHB/facility level
• Conduct post-training follow-up / refresher training after the initial training, involving trainees in practical activities
• Evaluate the training feedback frequently and amend the priorities/approach accordingly

Onsite mentorship, routine maintenance, developing a forecast for the fast-moving consumables, and design a long-term plan 

• Onsite mentorship and coaching of the biomedical & clinicians in health facilities and fixing issues case by case with equipment as they arise, and strengthen and revitalize the catchment based mentorship across the health system,
• Coordinate and conduct the high-risk Medical device installation, a follow-up performance and acceptance testing 
• Perform onsite maintenance of equipment as needed during on top of the trainings/visits, communicating to UNICEF/MOH on any more complex issues that require outside support/supplies
• Identify and quantify (forecast) the fast-moving spare parts and consumables
• Organize a workshop(s) for forecasting exercise for spares, batteries, and consumables for the equipment for the hospitals and health centers  
• Develop preventative and curative maintenance plans with hospital management 
• Design, gate approval from MOH and UNICEF, conduct and report impact assessment of the administered trainings to UNICEF, MOH 
• In consultation with the clinicians, assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of procured equipment’s, based on the assessment recommended necessary technical specification amendment to UNICEF/MOH 

Submit the final report and long-term plan

• Report all areas including - trainee information, equipment information, needs/forecasts for spares and consumables, clinical training needs, action plans, etc.
• This is an overall guide on how UNICEF can enhance consistency and ensure sustainability of medical device management.
• Present achievements, challenges, and plans to UNICEF and MOH (MCH and PMED) for feedback, revision, and finalization

Methodology

• The consultant will be hired by ABH. S/he will dedicate 15% percent of her/his time at MCH and PMED Directorates, MoH. The consultant reports and is supervised by the Health Manager, MNCH Cluster UNICEF Health Section

Duration & time frame of the consultancy:

• The total consultancy period will be estimated to be up to 11 months. The consultant will develop the inception report as per the below expected deliverables in her/his consultancy period.

Management and supervision

• The consultants will be supervised and monitored by UNICEF and PMED Directorate of MOH and deliver regular progress reports.

Payment

• Payment will be based on approved, high-quality deliverables noted below (linked to deliverables in section VII: 

Job Requirements

Education Requirements: 

• BSc Degree in Biomedical Engineering or a related relevant engineering field. 
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible proven work experience in the field of Biomedical Engineering and worked in the international organizations, UN agencies, and/or development partners.  
• Demonstrated skills in installation, testing, and maintenance of NICU equipment’s and medical oxygen devices in Ethiopia
• Proven understanding of key monitoring and evaluation concepts, tools, and good practices, including data analysis, and ability to produce high quality written reports
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in project logical approach and other strategic planning approaches
• Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner and to meet rigorous monitoring and evaluation requirements according to guidelines and deadlines
• Demonstrated ability as a facilitator, trainer and hands-on mentor 
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to contribute to a teamwork process. 
• Knowledge and experience of the Ethiopian health system
• Good understanding of the Ministry working environment, Ethiopian health system and decentralized health system, the HSTP II and related policies and strategies
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English required
• Good skills in communicating, facilitating group discussions, and conducting effective presentations, and trainings 
• Prior experience as a consultant in development and implementation of similar documents
• Flexible, capable of working under pressure and in tight timelines

Performance evaluations for service contractor

• List of all major outputs/deliverables completed.
• Quality of work (whether the services/end products correspond to the specifications of the TOR, and if not, why not). 
• Deliverables achieved (whether the results correspond to the specifications of the ToR, and assess initiative/drive, including ability to take action and get things done);
• Skills (strengths/weaknesses as related to accomplishment of goals/deliverables as set out in the TORs, including dependability and reliability in assuming and carrying out the commitments and obligations of the agreement.
• Overall performance rating (Quality of work, Technical skills, Value for money, Meeting time schedule, Overall performance rating)

How to Apply

Qualified and interested applicants who fulfill the above requirements can apply through this link