Overview of position
Our client is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development. Our client areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.
The ongoing conflict in Yemen has caused significant disruptions to the supply chain and to the overall availability of services. In light of the reduced or even absent provision of public services, communities have adopted various coping strategies, including using alternate water and energy sources, relying on alternate service providers and community-based service delivery initiatives to address the shortfall. Physical damage to infrastructure and the lack of functionality in one sector often spills over into other sectors with significant consequences on both the access to, and quality of services, which are often interrelated.
Given the above continued needs, our client is therefore undertaking a project with the following scope:
Role objectives
The project is financed by BMZ through the KfW Development Bank to strengthen the operational capacity of the supported health storage warehouses at the national (central) and sub-national (governorate) levels through rehabilitation works of the warehouses’ infrastructure and provisions of equipment and capacity building training. This entails direct support to improve the operational sustainability of the selected storage warehouses in terms of reliable access to electricity, enhancing their structural integrity and safety, and providing needed equipment and training that will support the overall capacity of the cold supply chain and dry storage in close consultation and collaboration with UNICEF, WHO, and MoPHP.
Project Components:
1. Technical assessments and stakeholder engagements
2. Rehabilitation works
3. Procurement of furniture and equipment
4. Staff training
5. Third-party monitoring
Project Outcomes:
1. It is envisaged that the Project will contribute to the following outcomes:
2. Vaccine Supply Chain and Logistics are enhanced and improved.
3. The storage capacity, including the cold supply chain for COVID-19 vaccines, is increased and enhanced.
4. Effective synergy and collaboration among UN agencies are further enhanced in the health sector.
5. Relevant stakeholders are engaged in planning and redressing grievances through the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP).
2. Purpose – Assignment specific
2.1 Objective
Training on cold chain management and maintenance is critical to ensuring the effectiveness of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). It serves as the fundamental pillar for maintaining vaccine quality and safety from the point of receipt to the point of distribution. To ensure integration between the technical, administrative, and operational aspects, our client will implement the training program for the targeted cadres on “Operation and Maintenance of Cold Chain Equipment” and “Vaccine and Cold Chain Management”.
Training / Activity# Maintenance Training location Aden, Mukalla, no of days 2,2, no of trainees 6, 6
Training/Activity maintenance operation; training location number of days 2 no of trainers 20
The objective of this consultancy is to conduct the Operation and Maintenance Training to enhance the technical staff ‘s ability to install, operate, and maintain cold rooms, freezers, and associated equipment to ensure continuous operation within required standards.
2.2 Scope and focus of work
The consultant will need to carry out the following:
Preparation of Technical Training Materials:
● Develop simplified manuals in the local language based on manufacturer manuals, including WHO/UNICEF self-assessment tools.
● Prepare comprehensive Checklists for:
i) Installation and commissioning
ii) Proper daily operation
iii) Preventive maintenance (weekly, monthly, annual)
iv) Troubleshooting
● Prepare illustrated guides for Control Panels and alarm systems.
● Prepare Fault Finding Charts for diagnosing common mechanical and electrical issues.
Training on Installation and Commissioning:
● Train technicians on the correct installation of insulation panels and cooling units to prevent thermal leaks.
● Practical training on commissioning procedures, including Cool-down time tests, temperature stability monitoring, and alarm verification.
Training on Preventive Maintenance and Troubleshooting:
● Maintenance tasks: Cleaning condensers/evaporators, checking door seals, oil levels, and refrigerant gas levels.
● Diagnostic training: Using flowcharts to identify compressor issues, gas shortages, fan failures, or electrical faults.
● Defining criteria for reporting complex faults requiring specialized external intervention.
Integration with Vaccine Management:
● Explain the relationship between temperature settings and stored vaccine types (heat vs. freeze sensitivity).
● Training on reading and analyzing Data Loggers and linking anomalies to technical faults.
● Establishing a clear communication protocol between the technician and storekeeper during alarms.
2.3 Requested outputs and deliverables
● Integrated technical training package (PowerPoint, simplified manuals, checklists, fault-finding charts). Materials must align with manufacturer specs and WHO/UNICEF standards.
● Record of commissioning protocols performed during practical sessions.
● Trainees must pass theoretical and practical evaluations with a minimum score of 80%.
● Trainees must demonstrate independent ability to operate/maintain equipment.
● Final technical report including trainee performance evaluation and equipment sustainability recommendations.
Given the Project’s very limited scope and time, the total estimated work period is 4 weeks. 3
5. SUPERVISION
The consultant will provide regular updates to our client team, with weekly meetings on progress and challenges faced. The consultant will report to our client Project Manager and Project Management Support Officer.
Our client should be consulted on the training materials to ensure their appropriateness to the project context.
5.1 Additional Information
our client will provide the consultant with all project related documents, names of locations to target, support on the ground with contacts to relevant stakeholders as well as continuous support through weekly status meetings and an induction session
The estimated work period is 20 days.
The consultant will be remunerated on the basis of a daily rate of XX USD or a total of XX USD for the 20 day period.
The potential consultant should have local experience as well as presence in Aden, Yemen.
6.1 Schedule of Payment
The payment schedule for the assignment will be as follows:
#
Deliverables
Due date
Payment %
1
Integrated technical training package (PowerPoint, simplified manuals, checklists, fault-finding charts). Materials must align with manufacturer specs and WHO/UNICEF standards.
Week 2
20%
2
Record of commissioning protocols performed during practical sessions.
Week 3
30%
3
Final technical report including trainee performance evaluation and equipment sustainabil recommendations.
Week 4
50%
Project reporting
To Project Manager
Key competencies
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming diferences of opinion and finding common ground.
Team management
N/A
Further information
● Academic: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning).
● Technical Experience: Minimum 5 years of practical experience in installing and maintaining complex refrigeration systems (Walk-in Freezers/Cold Rooms – WIF/WIC) and control systems.
● Training Experience: Proven experience (min. 3 years) in technical/fi eld training using various methods (theoretical, practical, workshops, simulations).
● Standards Knowledge: Full familiarity with WHO and UNICEF standards for cold chain equipment and vaccine storage.
● Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) Experience: The consultant must understand that cold rooms are life-saving systems, not just “cooling equipment.” Experience in EVM is required to ensure:
○ Vaccines are not exposed to excessive heat due to malfunctions.
○ Freeze-sensitive vaccines are not exposed to sub-zero temperatures due to poor thermal distribution or settings.
○ Ability to make rapid technical decisions during breakdowns to prevent stock loss.
○ Material Familiarity: Preference for trainers who participated in developing the training materials (toolkits, manuals, checklists) to ensure local context relevance.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Interested social consultants are invited to submit the following:
1. Technical Proposal:
○ A proposal outlining the consultant’s approach to implementing the assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference (TOR).
2. Financial Proposal:
○ A breakdown of costs, aligned with the activities outlined in the technical proposal.
3. Consultant Profile:
○ A comprehensive CV or profile le of the consultant, including examples of relevant research projects.
7. Language
Fluency in English and Arabic is required.
How to apply
https://app.tayohr.io/jobs/detail/vac-54985-operation-and-maintenance-trainer-53704