Roster of consultants - Health Information Systems (HIS)

Purpose of consultancy

To provide technical expertise to the Health Information Systems Unit in the Department of Data and Analytics in:

• revising and strengthening the SCORE assessment tool;
• facilitating the coordination and management of different streams of work related to HIS strengthening; the work on health sector M&E framework and review;
• contributing to the implementation of CRVS in countries including the improvement of cause-of-death statistics;
• facilitating the country implementation of the routine health information strategy, the RHIS toolkit as well as cause of death data collection and analysis.

Background

Despite the increasing demand for data and evidence, the health information systems currently in place in many countries remain inadequate. High-quality data are not routinely collected. Major health challenges are not measured or monitored. Data systems are not sufficiently integrated at the national level with data often locked in programme-specific silos - a major obstacle for making comprehensive use of data for policy formulation and action.

The SCORE for health data packages inform countries of available resources to strengthen their health data systems and build their capacity to respond to the monitoring requirements of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). WHO is continually working with Member states to improve their health information system. The SCORE assessment instrument is undergoing revision to collect data that can better assess the health information system capacity in countries. A new SCORE data collection platform is being developed to provide digital data collection and easy data dissemination.

Cause-of-death statistics are core for monitoring population health. WHO strives to collect cause-of-death statistics from its Member States from 1950 to date which has sustained major global health policies. This database is undergoing improvement to incorporate data from other sources other than the vital registration system. However, even when data are available, their quality is not sufficient to guide the development of national health policies. Hence there is a need to develop guidance and tools to support countries in improving their data.

Deliverables

• Collaborate with WHO Country Office and Ministry of Health in selected countries to conduct SCORE data collection and review, identfy country data gap and priorities for strengthening country’s data systems for health. Expected by 31 December 2023;
• Revise and update SCORE technicla package, including the SCORE instrument. Expected by 31 December 2023;
• In collaboration with the Global Health Data Hub team and vendors, coordinate the development of the SCORE online data collection platform and data portal including communicaton with vendors, review of questionnarie contents and set-up, and supervision of user-interface testing. Expected by 31 December 2023;
• Interact with vendors and contribute to the development and integration of the WHO SCORE data platform:
  • Output 1: Coordinate the work among WHO technical team, WHO IMT department, the selected vendors, and other relevant parties to ensure the SCORE data platform is developed by pre-set timeline, meeting all WHO standards and requirements
  • Output 2: Analyse the business requirements and expected outcomes with the selected vendor to produce a final technical document that would guide the development of the SCORE data platform
  • Output 3: Develop test case-scenario documents for all platform components;
• Coordinate the regional workplan and implementation to strengthen information systems for health in countries:
  • Output 1: Regional and country workplan for strengthening county systems for health
  • Output 2: Recommend health sector monitoring indicators and alignment of analysis between countries, regional and global levels
  • Output 3: Report of countries implementation review and recommendation;
• Facilitate the regular maintainance and update of the WHO Mortality Database, develop analysis tools and assist countries analysing mortality data. Expected by 31 December 2023;
• Facilitate the implementation of the CRVS Strategic Implementation Plan, including country capacity building, creation/maintenance of the CRVS database, country CRVS assessment and reporting:
  • Output 1: Facilitate CRVS capacity-building activities, CRVS meetings and drafting of relevant reports as required
  • Output 2: Research and compile the global CRVS partners activities and analyse them versus country CRVS development and status
  • Output 3: Conduct CRVS capacity assessment and prepare assessment reports.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

Advanced degree in medicine, public health, health informatics, data management and IT solution, epidemiology, demography, statistics or other related fields.

Experience

Essential:

• Band level B: 5 – 10 years’ relevant experience in working with international public health, particularly health information systems.
• Band level C: Over 10 years’ relevant experience in working with international public health, particularly health information systems.

Desirable:

• Experience in working with WHO or other UN/International agencies.
• Experience in working in CRVS, primary health care and data systems.
• Experience in HIS strengthening in countries.
• Experience in mortality data analyses.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Proficient in MS Office suite, Stata, SAS or R.
• Knowledge of DHIS2 for country implementation.

Languages required:

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

Intermediate knowledge of other UN language.

Location

Off site: Home based .

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

• Band level C USD 500 – 625 per day or USD 7000 - 9980 per month
• Band level B USD 350 – 499 per day or USD 10000 - 12500 per month

Remuneration will be offered depending on qualification and experience.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year):

Contract duration varies depending on the tasks.

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html
• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.