National Consultant – GAVI-CIFF-UNICEF Data management, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Although Ethiopia has been using a standardized and customized District Health Information Software (DHIS2) system for reporting EPI data from health facilities to the federal level, the data is found to be unreliable with inflated numbers and inconsistencies with wide variation from the survey and WUENIC data. The DHIS2 data also does not tell “zero dose children” as high administrative coverage at national, and in some cases, at sub-national levels, often masks the actual situation. Different field visits, assessment reports and routine supervision exercises have shown poor quality recording, collection, compilation, and reporting, as well as data triangulation and analysis. Feedback provision mechanisms are not regular and of good quality at all levels. Moreover, the DHIS2 does not capture the immunization data for children >12 months, and therefore it is difficult to measure and report the big catch-up (BCU) vaccination results which requires MOH to revise the current DHIS2 tool. During previous COVID-19 rounds, the country has used different parallel methods and tools, such as the RAT tool, Google Sheets, Power BI, and Dashboard, for the collection, analysis, and interpretation of vaccination data.

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For every child,

Although Ethiopia has been using a standardized and customized District Health Information Software (DHIS2) system for reporting EPI data from health facilities to the federal level, the data is found to be unreliable with inflated numbers and inconsistencies with wide variation from the survey and WUENIC data. The DHIS2 data also does not tell “zero dose children” as high administrative coverage at national, and in some cases, at sub-national levels, often masks the actual situation. Different field visits, assessment reports and routine supervision exercises have shown poor quality recording, collection, compilation, and reporting, as well as data triangulation and analysis. Feedback provision mechanisms are not regular and of good quality at all levels. Moreover, the DHIS2 does not capture the immunization data for children >12 months, and therefore it is difficult to measure and report the big catch-up (BCU) vaccination results which requires MOH to revise the current DHIS2 tool.  During previous COVID-19 rounds, the country has used different parallel methods and tools, such as the RAT tool, Google Sheets, Power BI, and Dashboard, for the collection, analysis, and interpretation of vaccination data.

In immunization programme, data quality mainly depends upon the proper management of its primary sources, particularly on data collection at health facilities (point of data generation), the people required, and enabling environments for functional health information systems. Building the health workforce capacity and capability for data management at the primary health facilities and EPI managers at all levels to be able to improve the accuracy of immunization program targets (denominators) and data quality, including using existing data for tailored program action and improving data sharing and knowledge management, is paramount for informed decision-making in immunization program management. 

GAVI has provided funds to be implemented by UNICEF, aiming to address the immunization and nutrition needs of the most disadvantaged and underserved populations. GAVI expects UNICEF to demonstrate the use of multisectoral interventions as an entry point to systematically reach children and communities that were not reached by immunization services in selected 50 high-priority woredas in the Amhara, Sidama, Somali, Afar, and Oromia regions. Therefore, quality data is required to measure and demonstrate the reach and reduction of zero-dose and under vaccinated children, particularly among the Equity Reference Group (ERG) for immunization (remote rural, urban poor, and conflict settings), where clusters of zero-dose and under vaccinated children are residing. Disaggregated data are also highly required to demonstrate strides taken in reaching zero-dose and under vaccinated children through a multisectoral approach to evidence-based advocacy. 

The purpose of Data Manager (National Consultant) is to provide support to the Immunization program, in designing and developing a database and tools for collection, and analysis of BIG catch up and Immunization Plus (nutrition, birth registration, and other) data, development of dashboards to visualize the progress at all levels, capacity building to DHIS2 focal points on data management, GIS mapping to optimize the identification, reach, and monitoring of zero-dose and under-immunized children, and establishing a system to triangulate immunization-related data from various sources to guide the program and policy, including improving the quality and performance of the EPI program in 50 targeted woredas. In addition to produce progress reports and health infographics using a standard template and indicators for regular dissemination of results achieved to various stakeholders. 

The consultant will be based at the UNICEF health section in Addis Ababa, with frequent travel to the field to provide technical support on data management at subnational levels.

The consultant will report directly to the health manager for DPC and will work in close collaboration with the immunization and M&E team in health section and focal points in health nutrition, child protection, and social protection sections both at the CO and FO levels.

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Under the guidance of health manager for DPC, data manager will ensure that database, and tools for BIG catch up and Immunization PLUS data collection, aggregation, analysis, and data quality assurance are in place for programme monitoring and evidence-based decisions and advocacy.  Under direct supervision of the health manager for DPC, the consultant will be accountable for the following key task.

Assess the current data management system and tools developed for BIG Catch and revise them to accommodate the Immunization PLUS data.

• Work closely with GAVI/CIFF focal persons in health, nutrition, child protection, social protection, social behavior change, supply and logistics, and the M&E team at the country and field offices to review the existing data management practices and explore barriers to immunization data quality among front-line immunization experts.
• Revise the current data management system based on the findings from the desk and field reviews to accommodate immunization plus data collection analysis and reporting.

Design and develop data base and tools for management, and visualization.

• Design a system and tools for regular collection, compilation, analysis, and quality control of immunization data specific to the needs of the Big Catch Up (BUC) immunization PLUS program (integrated with nutrition, birth registration, and social protection services).
• Design and develop a vaccination tracking system for zero-dose and under-vaccinated children to ensure that identified children are reached and vaccinated and enroll newborns in an immunization program.
• Develop and use geospatial applications, smart maps, digital micro-plans, and satellite identification of settlements in missed communities.
• Develop dashboards to illustrate coverage levels that can easily be monitored, to highlight short- and long-term trends, underperforming zones and woredas, and to flag issues with access, dropout, zero dose, and under vaccinated groups of children to detect inequities in immunization service delivery.
• Ensure incoming data is properly monitored by HMIS focal points at all levels for quality in terms of timeliness, completeness, consistency, and compliance with national standards and practices, including being properly logged in for data entry and data processing.
• Conduct data cleaning and verification for accuracy, unusual trends or patterns, coverage validation, data quality assurance, bottleneck analysis, and small-scale service verification surveys. (e.g., RCS) and periodic analysis of Immunization PLUS data, dropout rate, and zero dose reduction status from reliable data sources such as head counting, immunization registry, and tally sheets for timely action.

Capacity building for improvements to immunization data availability and quality.

• Provide field-level support to the FO team, RHB, and ZHO Woreda and Kebele levels during all phases of implementation, monitor the quality of data for house-to-house enumeration and service delivery, and provide technical support on data use.
• Coach and mentor service providers and program managers on data management at all levels during supportive supervision or provide face-to-face training.
• Work closely with M&E and immunization specialists In the UNICEF health section and provide support for MOH immunization, nutrition, and birth registration-related information to be captured in the e-CHIS platform.
• Advocate for and provide technical support to MOH to revise the current DHIS2 to capture children above ≥1 year or the appropriate age for big catchups.

Monitoring and Evaluation.

• Produce progress reports and updates using the results matrix and ensure activities, milestones, and best practices are properly documented and reported. Alert the supervisor and focal person in the sections of any challenges, rewiring their attention and support.
• Review and triangulate immunization data linking with other sources such as surveys, vaccine consumption, and other health data are implemented timely.
• Communicate progress, bottlenecks, and issues arising from the implementation of the project in a timely and effective manner.
• Ensure the availability of evidence-based project data for progress reports, project briefs, and any other documentation of lessons learned on time.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology (IT) and Computer Programming, public health, health informatics, health information management systems, statistics, biostatistics, public health research, applied epidemiology and or other health related sciences is required.

• A minimum of 10 years of professional working experience in standardization of data collection validation and analysis format using multiple data sources, GIS mapping and software applications, data management at the national or international level preferably in a developing and mid-level income countries is required. Ability to work in most extreme hardships areas. Broad Knowledge and skills in computer Programming, Microsoft window applications, public health, health informatics, health information management systems, statistical data analysis using STATA, public health research. Broad understanding of data base management and digital health infrastructure (e.g., data center, networks, hardware) and different application services. Understanding of digital health and Immunization data management systems including Interoperability and standards, including health information exchange. Previous experience in managing multiple data sources and developing reliable data management processes including standardization of data format, sustainable structure of data collection, validation, analysis and eventually results dissemination. Previous experience with similar work on immunization information systems and data management products (especially DHIS2, GIS mapping, mobile data collection application and reporting tools) and VPD surveillance. Strong critical thinking, writing, and presentation skills. Experience working with UN /INGO or multiple government sectors.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

Core Competencies:

Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1) 

Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)

Works Collaboratively with others (1) 

Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1) 

Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)

Drives to achieve impactful results (1) 

Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

To view our competency framework, please visit  here.   

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.