National Consultant Independent Engineer

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Purpose of consultancy:

Supervise and provide professional technical guidance on the renovation of the operating room and intensive care unit at the National Center for Maternal and Child Health (NCMCH).

Scope of work:

Background:  

The National Center for Maternal and Child Health is an implementing partner of UNFPA in the project “Accelerating the Progress Towards the Elimination of Preventable Maternal and Perinatal Mortality" funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg from 2022 to 2027. The project intends the introduction of open-heart congenital cardiac abnormality correction surgery at the National Center for Maternal and Child Health (NCMCH. The activities include the renovation of the NCMCH operating theater which will be upgraded to a vacuum (Grade I) operating room, and adjacent areas converted into an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with the same air quality and access to essential gases such as oxygen and air. The general requirements for the operating theater were assessed and formulated by the National Institute of Cardiac Surgery and Interventional Cardiology (INCCI), Luxembourg, and included in the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the renovation developed by the NCMCH (attached). The technical requirements need to be reviewed by an independent engineering consultant, who will supervise and provide technical guidance on the renovation on behalf of UNFPA to ensure that the construction company selected thought the government procurement modality by the NCMCH is delivering as per the requirements reflected in the ToR.

Key activities expected to respond to the objective of the consultancy: 

1. Ensure that the contract between the NCMCH and the construction entity selected for the renovation fully reflects the ToR developed by the NCMCH
2. Ensure that the quality of materials used in the renovation are in line with the purpose of the renovation
3. Regularly visit the renovation site, monitor the progress and inform UNFPA on the progress, and any deviations from the original plan that may arise during the implementation
4. Check the quality of the final product and complete the report on the finalization of the renovation work to UNFPA which will initiate the payment process to the contracted construction entity.
5. Provide technical guidance on the renovation process

Detailed tasks:

• The consultant is expected to conduct a thorough review professional literature on the requirements for the Class I Operating Theater and ICU, and the ToR of the renovation.
• She/he will ask the contracted construction company to develop an updated plan of activities with the detailed timeline and share it with UNFPA. 
• She/he will regularly visit the renovation site and ensure that the materials used for the construction respond to the required quality.
• She/he will inform UNFPA on the progress bi-weekly in a written form, including the information on any potential deviation from the original plan, and provide expert opinion on whether such alteration may affect the final product quality.
• She/he will inform UNFPA on the completion of the work and provide final report to UNFPA on the consultancy.

Duration and working schedule:

The duration of this consultancy is expected to be six months for 45 non-consecutive days in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, starting from August 12, 2024, and ending by January 31, 2025. The consultant’s work will be based on deliverables, and it is not tied to the working hours. 

Place where services are to be delivered:

The consultant will work from her/his workplace while paying regular visits to the renovation site at the NCMCH. 

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

The selected consultant is required to provide the following deliverables:

• Bi-weekly written reports on the progress of the renovation work: 
• Final consultancy report (preferably in English) upon the full completion of the renovation and acceptance of the product by the NCMCH by January 31, 2025 

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The consultant should work in close consultation with the UNFPA SRHR team and procurement specialist. The reporting requirements, formats, and deadlines will be refined during the first briefing session.

Supervisory arrangements: 

The consultant will work under the guidance of the SRHR/AY Program Specialist, who will have direct oversight responsibility in ensuring timely completion of the work and serve as liaison focal point between the UNFPA and the NCMCH.

Expected travel: 

Not required. 

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements: 

Education:  

• Bachelor degree in construction or biomedical engineering

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least 7 years of professional experience in construction and or biomedical engineering
• Proven experience in construction and renovation at health facilities
• Proven experience in setting up operating theaters and ICUs is an asset
• Knowledge and understanding of the Construction Law of Mongolia and relevant rules and regulations is required
• Experience in working with the United Nations and engaging with government agencies and ministries, as well as civil society organizations, is desirable

Languages: 

• Mongolian native speaker
• Technical level of English (both in reading and writing), including the ability to review professional materials is highly desirable

Competencies: 

• Exemplifying integrity and accountability. 
• Adequate level of organizational, communication and time management skills
• Ability to work under pressure with strict timelines
• Knowledge of human rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender equality in general.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g. support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

It is anticipated that the consultancy will be governed by an Individual Consultancy contract under standard UNFPA General Terms and Conditions for Individual Consultants. UNFPA will pay a consultancy fee according to the current UNFPA approved schedule of rates, at a level to be negotiated.

Schedule of payment: 

• The consultant will be paid on monthly basis as per number of working hours in the timesheet approved by the supervisor.

Logistical arrangements

The UNFPA does not require him/her to work in the UNFPA office. However, bi-weekly meetings with the supervisor and procurement specialist are required.

The consultant will use his/her computer. 

UNFPA reserves the right to withhold up to 30% of the total fee in the case that the deliverables are not submitted on schedule or do not meet the required standard. 

Copyright and ownership of all documents produced will remain with UNFPA
 

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.