Digital Biomedical Assets Management Officer

Background

Here at Beyond Essential Systems (BES) we make awesome technology and put it to good use in the world. Our aim is to improve decision making in low-resource settings by providing meaningful data that results in well informed decisions, and better outcomes for individuals. Our services and products have impact across health, education, supply chain and disaster management, and we are proud to be able to provide innovative and collaborative solutions, while working closely with local partners in the Asia/Pacific region.

We have been working with the Fiji Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS) since 2019 to strengthen access to essential medicines and health products through the National Supply Chain Reform Project. We have an in-country team of 5 staff based in Suva, which will soon double in size due to increasing project scope and requirements. A new objective is to digitise the management of biomedical assets across the Fiji MHMS. This includes two components: implementation of a digital national biomedical assets registry using Tupaia (a data aggregation, visualisation, and analysis tool), and the deployment of mSupply (an electronic Logistics Management Information System) to all Divisional biomedical units within Fiji. 

Role Description

The Digital Biomedical Assets Management Officer will be responsible for rolling out Tupaia to digitise the Fiji MHMS biomedical assets registry. They will also work closely with the local BES mSupply Deployment Team in rolling out mSupply to each Divisional biomedical assets unit. The officer will help configure digital surveys on the Tupaia MediTrak app, set/manage user permissions, and conduct training with Fiji MHMS biomedical staff on using the software to register new assets, perform maintenance assessments, update asset status, and analyse data on the national registry at Tupaia.org. To initially populate the registry, the officer will provide intensive hands-on support to help the biomedical teams register and generate/attach QR labels to all existing biomedical assets. They will later accompany biomedical officers on maintenance field visits, providing support in updating the status of existing assets. This role therefore requires a combination of strong technical and training/implementation skills, as a significant amount of time will be spent working alongside end-users to help embed new procedures in daily workflows. 

The successful applicant will be based in Suva and is required to travel regularly within Fiji for 12 months (preferably starting June 2023). They are expected to work according to local conditions, with 40 hours’ work each week. Leave and travel entitlements will be included according to local laws. All equipment required, including a laptop will be provided. Office space and utilities to support the position will be arranged in negotiation with the MHMS.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Fiji MHMS biomedical teams to use mSupply and Tupaia effectively to manage biomedical assets.
• Configure biomedical assets registration and maintenance surveys on the Tupaia MediTrak surveying app.
• Develop training materials and conduct training with Fiji MHMS biomedical staff on:
  Using the Tupaia MediTrak app to register new assets, perform maintenance assessments, and update asset status; and
• Analysing national biomedical assets registry data on Tupaia.org.
• Provide hands-on support to help the biomedical team register and generate/attach QR labels to all existing biomedical assets to initially populate the registry.
• Accompany biomedical officers on maintenance field visits, providing support in updating the status of existing assets.
• Manage initial user permissions for the Tupaia MediTrak surveys and Tupaia.org visualisation platform for the biomedical assets registry.
• Handover user management responsibilities to relevant MHMS IT staff, including provision of appropriate training and support materials.
• Liaise with the local BES mSupply Deployment team in rolling out mSupply to each Divisional biomedical assets unit.
• Respond to support requests from users and, where appropriate, escalate out-of-scope queries to other stakeholders (e.g. FPBS, Tupaia Support Desk, mSupply Support Desk).
• Attend and contribute to weekly team meetings for the Fiji National Supply Chain Reform Project.
• Write reports and deliver presentations on progress.
• Liaise with the BES team (local and international), Fiji MHMS health and IT staff and, where required, the Tupaia and mSupply Support Desks, to achieve outcomes.
• Other responsibilities as reasonably requested by supervisors.

Selection Criteria
Qualifications:

• Degree (or equivalent formal qualifications) in Computer Science/Information Systems/Software Engineering or Biomedical Engineering or similar field. Demonstrated experience in any of these fields of more than 5 years without formal qualifications may suffice.
• Qualifications in Biomedical Engineering are not required but would be a strong advantage.

Experience:

• Experience in technical troubleshooting (desktop and mobile Android systems) and providing user support.
• Experience in training both groups and individuals on new digital programs.
• Experience in supporting change management.
• Experience in implementing a digital system within a health setting is an advantage.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Computer Science/Information Systems/Software Engineering or Biomedical Engineering, with at least 2 years’ experience in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated proficiency in IT and software implementation.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge and understanding of health systems in Fiji would be an advantage.

Personal Attributes:
All BES staff must be ethical, professional, adhere to the organisation’s values, and are expected to report against misconduct, illegal and inappropriate behaviour.

• Confidence in public speaking and/or presenting to diverse audiences.
• Skills in analysis and planning work processes and in working towards targets.
• Well organised with a strong eye for detail; able to prioritise and process a variety of administrative tasks independently.
• Positive, hard-working attitude and ability to work independently and as part of a small team.
• Strong skills in IT or telecommunications, with computer skills and proficiency in using Windows-based applications and Microsoft Office. 
• Good communication skills, and a good command of spoken and written English.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly (locally).

How To Apply
Please send the following with your application:

• Cover Letter including response to the selection criteria
• CV/Resume
• Answer to the following question: What is your favourite software and why? It could be a video game, it could be social media, it could be good old Microsoft Word! Tell us your favourite and why in 50 words or less.