USAID Health Services Quality Accelerator (HSQA)

Dates of assignment : November 15, 2023 – September 15, 2024

Number of working days (equivalent to 8 hours/day): 25 days               

Background:

The USAID HSQA Activity aims to accelerate and sustain improvements in Jordan's reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) outcomes by improving access to quality health services and strengthening leadership and governance capacity in the health sector.

Introduction:

Several interventions planned for implementation throughout FY24 (October 2023 through September 2024) require procurement of medical equipment and consumables to ensure the successful programs with national stakeholders including but not limited to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Royal Medical Servies (RMS). These include:

1. The establishment and equipping of four Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) training centers within the Ministry of Health, complete with the necessary mannequins and medical equipment, compliant with certification body requirements. (WP reference 1.1.2.3 Neonatal Resuscitation Program).
2. Outfitting public hospitals with essential medical equipment and consumables for effective implementaton of the newborn Golden Hour program. This includes, but is not limited to, pulse oximeters, portable continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, neonatal thermometers, room thermometers, neonatal laryngoscopes, syringe pumps, cardiotocography (CTG) machines, ultrasound equipment, portable incubators, and oxygen blenders. (WP reference 1.1.2.1 Neonatal Golden Hour and small and sick newborn care initiatives).
3. The Activity plans to support the establishment of blood banks in Amman and Mafraq (subject to USAID approval), aligning with the MOH's strategic plan aimed at reducing maternal mortality in remote areas. The extent and details of this support will depend o the MOH's submission of a comprehensive proposal for these blood banks and the Acitivity’s capacity to respond. (WP reference 2.2.2 Support the Jordan Maternal Mortality Surveillance and Response system).
4. Challenges in dealing with post-partum hemmorrhage (PPH) will be identified at selected hospitals, and support provided to ensure that they are equipped with key items for managing PPH such as balloon tamponades, non-pneumatic antishock garments, and new drugs such as tranexamic acid. (WP reference 1.1.1.6 Postpartum hemorrhage)
5. Based on a request by the MOH, and subject to USAID approval, the Activity plans to support equipping a training center to reduce the cost of conducting training for MOH staff and contribute to the sustainability of training programs. (WP reference 4.4 Support MOH to develop and equip a training center)
6. Other ad hoc projects: collaboration with MOH on specific medical equipment requirements and with Jordan University Hosptial on securing incubators, etc. 

Consultancy objectives: 

The primary goal of this consultancy is to assist the Activity to assess the needs and develop clear and comprehensive request for quotation (RFQ) documents for the procurement of essential equipment that will support HSQA interventions effectively.

Skills or background qualifications:

• Graduation in biomedical engineering.
• At least five years of work/consulting experience in the management of medical devices and diagnostics.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Specific tasks:

• Work closely with the USAID HSQA team to assess the needs and develop detailed technical specifications for the required equipment. Ensure that these specifications are precise and align with relevant USAID regulations.
• Draft comprehensive RFQ documents that include all necessary details, such as technical specifications, evaluation/selection criteria, terms and conditions, and submission instructions.
• Collaborate with HSQA to define vendor selection criteria, considering factors like quality, cost-effectiveness, delivery timelines, and vendor reputation.
• Assist in the evaluation of vendor responses to the RFQ, helping USAID HSQA to assess the suitability of offers and select the most qualified suppliers.
• Advise on equipment maintenance schedules and best practices to ensure the longevity and reliability of the procured equipment.
• Oversee the procurement process to ensure that the equipment procured meets the defined specifications and quality standards.
• Support the disposition of the procured equipment’s to assigned entities and supervise its installment process

Reports required and deliverables:

1. RFQ documents that include all necessary details, such as technical specifications, evaluation/selection criteria, terms and conditions, and submission instructions.
2. Disposition report of the procured equipment.

Qualified candidates should send their CVs to email address: Jobs-HSQA@urc-chs.com  no later than November 5, 2023