Health information systems Consultants (Roster)

1. Purpose of the Position

DIR/HMA would like to establish a roster of qualified health information expert consultants who will support DIR/HMA with the preparation and implementation of country visits and activities related to national health information system assessments and national health information strategies.

The objective of the consultancy is to support the assessment of national health information systems in Member States of the WHO European Region, using the methodology compliant with the WHO Support tool to assess national health information systems and develop and strengthen health information strategies (http\://www.euro.who.int/en/publications/abstracts/support-tool-to-assess-health-information-systems-and-develop-and-strengthen-health-information-strategies) and its subsequent revisions.

The exact format of each individual support visit or document review is agreed individually between DIR/HMA and the requesting Member State before the start of the project.

2. Organizational context

The Health information, monitoring and analysis (DIR/HMA) unit supports the activities of the European Health Information Initiative (EHII) and regularly\:

- Conducts data collections, updates its databases with core health statistics from the 53 countries in the WHO European Region;
- Prepares health situation analysis publications and presentations;
- Organizes various meetings like the Steering Group Meetings of different Health Information Networks (i.e. CARINFONET, Small Countries);
- Assists Member States with the assessment of the Health Information System (HIS); and,
- Conducts various capacity building activities such as the Autumn School for Health Information and Evidence for Policy Making and the Advanced Health Information Workshop.

DIR/HMA, on request from Member States for assistance with the assessment of the national HIS, prepares technical visits and workshops, or reviews documents to support the requesting country in assessing the national Health Information System and developing national health information system strategies.

DIR/HMA provides support to countries in the form of a technical HIS assessment and support missions, technical HIS assessment training workshops or review and advice on draft strategic documents.

3. Description of duties

1. Technical preparation of the assessment of country visits or training workshops. This includes\:

a. Identification and desk review of available documents related to the national HIS.
b. Preparation of draft programmes and technical briefing notes for the MoH and Country Office to prepare the visits.
c. Preparation of training workshop materials to assess health information systems and develop and strengthen health information strategies.
d. If relevant to the individual project, collaboration with experts of other profiles that may contribute to the mission (for example, eHealth, knowledge translation).

2. Conduct assessment visits or workshops as per the Support tool methodology, if relevant, together with a team of WHO staff and other technical consultants. This includes\:

a. Discussion with the national counterparts and stakeholders concerning the components of the national HIS and HIS strategy to identify strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities, and develop recommendations for short, mid and long-term actions to strengthening the national HIS.
b. Conduct training workshops on the methodology to assess national HIS and strengthen the national HIS strategy.
c. Conduct briefs and discuss with the relevant WHO staff during the visit.

3. Write-up reports of the HIS assessment missions, training workshops or recommendations from the review of the national HIS strategy. This includes\:

a. Summary of challenges, opportunities and recommendations to strengthen the national HIS or the national HIS strategy.
b. If relevant, collaborate with the other technical experts (for example, eHealth or knowledge translation) in finalisation of the reports and recommendations.
c. Discuss the draft reports with the WHO staff from the Regional Office and the WHO Country Office, and revise as needed.

4. Identify suggestions to improve and refine the Support tool, based on its practical application in the Member States and in application to desk review.

Working and report language is English. Visits to the Member State may be conducted in Russian or local language, with simultaneous interpretation.

4. Recruitment Profile

The minimum academic and professional experience required to apply for the roster is outlined below. The actual grade for each individual contract will be determined in accordance with WHO guidelines on minimum requirements at the time of contract issuance.

Functional Knowledge and Skills

Essential
• Very good knowledge of assessment, planning, development and implementation of projects and programmes on statistics and health information systems.
• Proven ability to process, analyse and interpret epidemiological surveillance data; to apply statistical/epidemiological methods to planning, analysis and evaluation of public health activities at local, national and international level.
• Proven abilities to provide sound technical advice to institutions and governments, and to engage senior health policy makers in constructive dialogue.

Desirable
• Knowledge of WHO Europe procedures related to country cooperation
• Proven abilities in the design and delivery of national and international seminars, workshops and training activities.
• Knowledge of political, social and health systems of countries in Central and Eastern Europe,
• Technical expertise in the application of qualitative and quantitative techniques in data analysis.

Education Qualifications

Essential
Advance university degree in public health, health sciences, or related field

Desirable
PhD in public health, health sciences, or related field

Experience

Essential
• At least 7 years’ relevant work experience with data collection/validation and/or quantitative data analysis in public health;
• At least 7 years’ relevant work experience in leading teams working on health information related projects as part of a national or subnational Health Information System.

Desirable
• Experience with providing technical assistance to Member States as a WHO consultant in health information
• Experience in conducting capacity building workshops and training activities

Language

Essential
Excellent knowledge of English

Desirable
Knowledge of Russian

5. Contract duration