NEST BMET Implementation Coordinator

Special Instruction to Applicants : Please attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. Please make sure to include employment dates on the resume in Month/ Year format.

Location: Blantyre, Malawi or Nairobi, Kenya.

Position Summary

The Rice360 Institute for Global Health, at Rice University, through its innovative research and education programs develops highly effective, low-cost technology solutions that address critical healthcare challenges in low-resource communities, as well as a cadre of future leaders to continue to innovate and implement solutions. The Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies (NEST360) initiative has developed the NEST program model to enable quality, comprehensive newborn care in hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa. In partnership with the NEST360 international group of engineers, physicians, health experts and entrepreneurs from the United States, the United Kingdom, and sub-Sahara Africa, Rice360 has launched the NEST program in Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria.

Rice360 is currently seeking a qualified candidate for the position of NEST biomedical equipment technician (BMET) implementation coordinator based in Blantyre, Malawi or Nairobi, Kenya. The NEST BMET implementation coordinator, under the supervision of the Rice360 NEST international programs director and Rice360 faculty co-directors and NEST360 co-PIs Dr. Rebecca Richards-Kortum and Dr. Maria Oden, will support and oversee the cross-country implementation and integration of NEST BMET in-service training, mentorship, and quality improvement efforts. She/he will ensure synergy between cross-country in-service training activities for BMET staff, including supporting integration of technology management efforts into routine systems. She/he will work with in-country BMET teams to advocate for facility and country-level health technology management and technology procurement policies and programs. She/he will contribute to NEST360 reporting and communications on BMET activities.

The ideal candidate has experience with health technology management and BMET in-service training and mentorship in a low-resource setting; development and implementation of BMET mentorship initiatives; maternal, neonatal and child health programs; working in a multi-cultural environment; and is willing and able to live and travel within and across NEST implementation countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Essential Functions

• Administers training operations, ensuring efficient, effective and productive operations
• Creates and implements plans to achieve program objectives and mission
• Interprets, implements, and ensures compliance with policies and regulations and recommends changes to procedures and processes
• Analyzes data, identifies trends, develops reports and recommends and implements changes to improve alignment with institutional mission and goals
• Creates and implements outreach plans that may include relationship development, communications, event and conference management
• Provides support in developing relationships with internal and external entities
• May assist with fundraising activities
• Creates budget plans, monitors and approves expenditures, develops reports, conducts analyses and manages and maintains financial records
• May oversee and support a small staff (up to three full time staff)
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions / Information

• Ensures synergy between and provides support for cross-country the implementation of NEST BMET in-service training, mentorship, and quality improvement (QI) materials and activities, including supporting integration of technology management efforts into routine systems.
• Assists in the facilitation of NEST BMET trainings
• Works closely with the NEST clinical training director to ensure synergy between cross-country training activities for clinical staff and BMET staff
• Provides cross-country support, oversight and quality control for the implementation and integration of NEST360 BMET in-service training materials into various contexts
• Supports NEST country directors’ Ministry of Health engagement, particularly with relation to advocacy for strengthening country-level health technology management and technology procurement policies and programs
• Provides cross-country support for NEST health technology implementation and maintenance, including working with in-country BMET teams to advocate for facility-level health technology management systems and technology procurement policies
• Provides cross-country support to and oversight of the country-level NEST Engineering Training & Maintenance Managers (ETMMs), including review of technology event logs
• Periodically reviews BMET-related implementation data and reports results to the Houston team and NEST in-country implementation teams
• Communicates regularly with both the Houston team and NEST in-country implementation teams to discuss progress in BMET-related data collection, training, and device implementation, as well as any issues impeding progress
• Contributes to NEST360 reporting and communications on BMET activities

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering
• Three years of related experience health technology development and/or management, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Education may not be substituted for the experience requirement.

• Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
• Advanced problem solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage projects simultaneously
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
• Strong data analysis skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Adept at problem solving, creating contingency plans and handling issues when necessary
• Strong client service orientation and attention to detail
• Ability to develop complex or multiple program partnerships and funding sources
• Ability to oversee and direct staff

• Knowledge of managing budgets and developing financial plans

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. Biomedical Engineering
• Experience in the development and implementation of BME technician mentorship and quality improvement initiatives
• Work experience in a developing country
• Experience with neonatal and/or maternal health projects
• Experience working with, training and leading a multi-national / multi-disciplinary team
• Adept in the implementation of training programs and materials
• High proficiency and comprehensive knowledge of project management, including the proven ability to predict and evaluate potential risks and to create solutions before they arise
• Ability to effectively work in a team environment, with active participation, follow-through and excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and negotiation skills
• Excellent leadership skills, with proven ability to motivate and coordinate effectively with diverse individuals and stakeholders to achieve results
• Excellent critical thinking skills and high comfort level making independent decisions
• Ability to work under deadline with flexibility, tact, good judgment, discretion, and take initiative
• Demonstrated sensitivity to low resource settings
• Must demonstrate support for Rice360 Core Values: Innovation, Equity, Community, Integrity, Accountability, Empowerment and Transformation

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

Current Rice University COVID policies, which include vaccination, face mask, testing, gatherings, occupancy limits, and travel policies can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies