Mission and objectives
Enhancing Uzbekistan’s Health Care System through activities implemented in ‘Covid-19 Emergency Response Project’
Context
This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of the UNOPS ‘COVID-19 Emergency Response’ project, which is part of UNOPS health infrastructure strengthening portfolio. The project's main aim is to enhance Uzbekistan’s resilience to COVID-19 and future epidemics by upgrading over 150 existing facilities of the Committee of Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It includes infrastructure assessments and upgrades, procuring diagnostic equipment, establishing an ICT-based national epidemiological surveillance system, and expanding patient treatment capacity. Volunteers are expected to be engaged based on workload and current needs across project activities, with primary focus on delivery of goods for Covid-19 Emergency Response project in the last 6 months of 2026, potentially spanning to a longer period subject to project needs. The UNVs will be part of the Biomedical Engineering and Procurement Department activities, with a main focus on administrative activities related to contract management for procurement of goods, and observation of handover, installation and training of medical and lab equipment to end-users, which are part of the laboratory and hospital network within the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Well-Being and Public Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Task Description
Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Biomedical Engineer assigned for the specific project, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Handover and Delivery of Medical & Lab Equipment Observation - Verify Inventory: Cross-reference incoming equipment (e.g., hematology analyzers, coagulometers, microscopes, etc.) with official UNOPS procurement rules and packing lists to check for complete delivery, quantity checking, damages, etc. - Assess Storage: Ensure regional laboratories have adequately prepared, secure, and climate-controlled storage spaces prior to installation and document these. - Observe communication: observe practices between supplier, end -user, facility management, SES/PIU management and UNOPS. - Identify bottlenecks: explore rationale behind and report these to the supervisor in the shortest possible time. Apply remedy actions based on supervisor’s feedback. - Document Status: Under supervision log all required information such as serial numbers, delivery dates, and missing or damaged items, reporting any discrepancies directly to the UNOPS project supervisor and assist in system inputs. Installation Monitoring - Track Timelines: Monitor the arrival and on-site presence of certified engineers and vendors tasked with setting up the equipment. - Observe Safety Protocols: Ensure that the installation adheres to required international bio-safety, electrical, and structural standards. - Verify Calibration: Observe initial testing phases to ensure medical and laboratory instruments are correctly calibrated and ready for operational use. Observe and report on faults. Record all activities and discrepancies, and report directly to the UNOPS supervisor. Training and Knowledge Transfer Oversight - Confirm Participation: Monitor attendance of regional laboratory staff and medical personnel during vendor-led training sessions for simple lab/medical technology. - Evaluate Comprehension: Observe whether the local staff can confidently navigate the basic functions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and routine maintenance of the new devices. - Identify Gaps: Report any immediate training deficits or lack of translated instructional materials, record all activities and discrepancies, and report directly to the UNOPS supervisor. Administrative activities linked to Contract Management - Filing and Archiving: Digitizing, scanning, and organizing contract documents, Purchase Orders (POs), and vendor correspondence in folders or Document Management Systems such as PDS. - Document Preparation: Assisting staff by drafting standard contract clauses, generating templates, and updating administrative processes. - Deadline Monitoring: Tracking key dates such as contract renewals, milestones, and expiration dates using PDS contract tracking system or Excel sheets. - Vendor & Contract Data Entry: Maintaining and updating internal databases with vendor performance metrics, contact lists, and status reports. - Document Verification: Assisting in checking that received goods match Purchase Orders or ensuring valid vendor documents (like liability insurance certificates and tax forms) are up to date. - Audit Support: Assisting with the Contract Management in Procurement: pulling contract files, reconciling delivery receipts, and quality-checking documents for consistency. - Stakeholder Support: Following up with internal departments regarding required signatures or missing contract information. - Supplier Follow-up: With supervision, communicating with external vendors to request basic quotes, delivery confirmations, or accounts payable documents General Volunteer Responsibilities - Maintain Confidentiality: Safeguard sensitive data or proprietary organization and facility information handled during different tasks implementation. - Submit Progress Reports: Provide regular updates to project management/direct supervisors on the deployment progress.
Competencies and values
Accountability Adaptability and flexibility Judgement and decision-making Planning and organising Professionalism Self-management
Living conditions and remarks
Volunteer should reside in the same region where activities are, without additional living allowances. UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos) and use the entitlement calculator (https://app.unv.org/calculator) for the most up to date information • Volunteer Living Allowance USD 399/month • Entry lump sum (one-time payment) USD 50 • Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance Leave entitlements: • Annual leave • Certified sick leave • Uncertified sick leave • Maternity Leave • Paternity Leave The above summary is provided as information only and is subject to change. For further information on the full range of entitlements and eligibility criteria, please read the UN Volunteer Conditions of Service You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos
This position is no longer open.
