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Consultant for Health Information Systems Strengthening

Copenhagen

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Copenhagen
  • Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Public Health and Health Service
    • Information Technology and Computer Science
    • EU/CPS Division of Country Health Policies and Systems
  • Closing Date: Closed

1. Purpose of the Position

To contribute to the design, development, and strengthening of health data and metadata management systems using appropriate technologies. In cooperation with technical units at WHO, other UN agencies, institutions and networks, the consultant is expected to support the development and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation framework for health and health systems within the European Region in line with GPW 13, EPW and the triple billion goals.
In order to strengthen the capacity of the Data, Metrics and Analytics (DMA) unit and support the DMA work, the DMA is establishing a roster of qualified consultants that will include a diverse group in terms of regional representation, gender balance and experience.

2. Organizational context

The DMA unit of the Division of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS) at the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO Euro), is responsible for data collection, collation, analysis, presentation and dissemination. It monitors and measures progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)s and the triple billion goals whilst developing and implementing a measurement framework for the European Programme of Work (EPW) .

The main priorities for the DMA are to strengthen health information systems (HIS) and implement health information management activities in the WHO European region, which are also priority areas of focus identified in the EPW. In the scope of HIS strengthening, the unit provides strategic direction, technical assistance and tailored support to WHO Euro member states to strengthen their capacity to be able to generate timely, credible, reliable and actionable healthcare data. In the scope of health information management, the unit provides the design, development, and strengthening of health data and metadata management systems in WHO Europe and in Member States.

The DMA is engaged with experts and partners both within and outside the Region to harness synergies, reduce data collection burden and fill important data gaps. DMA oversees routine health monitoring activities as well as supports technical units in developing new data collection initiatives. It aims to develop new approaches and methodologies including the generate and use of big data to complement traditional methods for timely measurement and monitoring of health status and health system performance. The unit oversees routine health monitoring activities as well as support technical units in developing new data collection initiatives. It is also responsible for ensuring timely and effective dissemination of health statistics to serve as a basis for planning and prioritization of activities in countries.

The DMA is also responsible for ensuring timely and effective dissemination of health statistics to serve as a basis for the planning and prioritization of activities in the WHO European region. To contribute to this aspiration, DMA also assists member states to disseminate, update and implement the WHO Family of International Classifications (WHO-FIC) to strengthen national and international health information systems, statistics and support evidence-based decision making.

3. Description of duties

For the HIS strengthening consultancy, the overall objective is to support the development and implementation of the strategy and activities in relation to the HIS strengthening in the WHO Euro Member States and at the Regional level. Particularly, this includes the following sub-objectives a) implementation of HIS assessments along with situational analyses and baseline evaluation of HIS status, using appropriate tools and methods, particularly using the WHO “Support tool to assess health information systems and develop and strengthen health information strategies” b) capacity building in generating and management of healthcare big data and health information c) improving data quality, recording and reporting through promotion, adoption and implementation of the WHO FIC, d) promoting and strengthening collaboration and integration of the health information systems through multi-country health information-related networks hosted by WHO Euro. So, in the scope of listed objectives the consultant will deliver the following work and/or the following activities:

a) Provide technical assistance to the WHO EURO technical units on health information system strengthening, including health information system assessments as per the methodology of the “Support tool to assess health information systems and develop and strengthen health information strategies” and development / implementation of health systems performance assessments.

b) Support to CPS and other divisions of WHO/Europe in planning and implementing activities related to the capacity building, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities and programmes in health informatics and harnessing big data for health, including:
- Provide technical information on technologies and internationally recommended best practices related to optimizing the implementation and overall functioning of electronic health information systems.
- Cooperate and support to improve the analytical use of public health information and vital statistics systems, including public health surveillance activities at all levels.

c) Implementation of capacity building activities to strengthen knowledge of health informatics and operations of health information systems including support to countries in using WHO-FIC for improving the data quality, comparability and integration. This includes:
- Update and provide technical information and technical support to the WHO Euro technical units on strengthening vital registration systems and information management to support in decision and policy making in health.
- Providing technical assistance for improvement of mortality and morbidity data, registration practices, data flow, coverage and completeness of coding practices, quality of death certification and cause of death, data quality checks, access and use of data.
- Contributing on implementation and facilitation of capacity building training programs on surveillance of population health, generating and using health information for policymaking.
- Assisting on implementation and facilitation of capacity building training programs on the WHO-FIC introduction and preparation for implementation.
- Supporting work on transition and adoption of the ICD-11 and other WHO Reference Classifications, (which includes International Classifications of Diseases (ICD), International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI)), for improving the data recording, reporting, quality, comparability and integration.

d) Provide technical support and assist to regional and sub-regional health information networks through the CPS and other divisions of WHO Euro in the understanding and application of health information systems assessment frameworks, tools, guidelines and procedures to improve the country and regional health information access and use. This includes also:
- Support with organizing and facilitating workshops in the scope of health information networks for strengthening cooperation and collaboration between experts and stakeholders in the field of Health Information systems in general and foster international cooperation and collaboration as well as the exchange of expertise.
- Support the exchange of good practices and lessons learned in the adoption and implementation of the WHO FIC.
- Provide technical recommendations and contribute to the publication and dissemination of regional and country health information products.

For the data monitoring, analysis, and forecasting consultancy, the overall objective is to contribute to the design, development, and strengthening of health data and metadata management systems using appropriate technologies. In cooperation with technical units at WHO, other UN agencies, institutions and networks, the consultant is expected to support the development and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation framework for health and health systems within the European Region in line with GPW 13, EPW and the triple billion goals. The consultancy will cover the following tasks:

a) Using R/SQL and data management systems to manage updates and analyses to the European Health for All Family of databases. This includes producing new scripts to enable data management processes to be faster and more efficient.

b) Participating in data collection and validation of data from Member States, WHO technical units, and other international organizations and ensuring data submissions are timely and complete for opportune dissemination of indicators and health information products (publications, presentations, etc.)

c) Forecasting of time series data (specifically EPW measurement framework indicators, among others) based on historical data available in WHO databases;

d) Producing health situation and trend analysis based on available data and sourced data from other sources. This can take the form of presentations, briefs, or short reports. Data analysis products are requested with often quick turnaround times, so the ability to analyse large quantities of data efficiently is absolutely necessary and the ability to provide background research and context setting for presentations and publications is a necessary skill.
The exact format of each individual support will be agreed upon individually between CPS/DMA and before the project is started.

Working and report language is English. Visits to the Member State, if needed for the consultancy, 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

For the HIS strengthening consultancy:
• Writing skills for health information reporting.
• Knowledge of the assessment, planning, development and implementation of projects and programmes on any of the following fields: statistics, health information systems, health informatics and big data.

For the data monitoring, analysis, and forecasting consultancy:
• Proficiency and proven use of R for data cleaning, manipulation, and statistical programming as well as using SQL and R to implement data management activities. Ability to program Shiny dashboards and knowledge of related R libraries or other statistical software is considered an advantage.
• Advanced statistical programming and data management skills to customize databases and other tools and automate data processing.
• Experience in the application of qualitative and quantitative techniques in data analysis.
• Knowledge of statistical principles, methods and software packages, particularly including statistical modelling, data administration, and analysis.
• Technical knowledge of PowerBI and creation of dashboards for data visualization.
• Experience conducting health situation and trend analysis for various health and demographic data sets.
• Proven experience with time series analysis and forecasting, particularly with respect to health, biostatistical, and demographic data.

Desirable

For both assignments:
• Ability to provide technical feedback and to engage senior health policy makers in constructive dialogue if needed.
• Ability to evaluate complex issues and weigh up conflicting opinions.
• Knowledge of the principles of public health, epidemiology, healthcare management and statistics.
• Working with national and international agencies active in the field of health statistics.


Education Qualifications

Essential: First university degree in statistics, epidemiology, public health, demography, health informatics or medical/public health degree with training in biostatistics, demography or epidemiology.

Desirable: Specialized training and/or additional university degree in any of the above fields.

Experience

Essential:

For the HIS strengthening consultancy: Minimum of one up to four years combined national and international work experience in designing, implementing, managing and/or assessing health information systems, public health data platforms, health informatics, big data.

For the data monitoring, analysis, and forecasting consultancy: Minimum of one up to four years of professional experience in the field of statistical data collection and validation in public health, harmonization of data and metadata, indicator production, data analysis and visualization, including experience with an management of data from a variety of sources and multiple dimensions/disaggregations of data.

Desirable

For both assignments: Experience in capacity building workshops in any of the above-mentioned areas; Experience with implementing and using web-based data collection systems.

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English
Desirable: Working knowledge of Russian

5. Contract duration

The duration of the consultancy will depend on the specific Terms of Reference.

6. Location

Consultancy services could be needed for the home-based and/or on site with travel for in-country missions to support various areas of DMA work described in the deliverables. In addition, the location depends on the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, funding availability and/or the specific work request format.

7. Remuneration

Remuneration is based on classified requirements of the Terms of Reference of the Individual Consultant Contract with related academic and professional experience applied for the grade in accordance with WHO’s consultant’s pay band ranges.

This vacancy is now closed.
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