Digital Health Strategy Consultant

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1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to draft the digital health strategy for Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) following desktop reviews and a series of consultations with key stakeholders, which are to be also facilitated by the consultant, and also carry out scoping for the implementation of telehealth between the main hospitals in Majuro and Ebeye and health centres in neighbouring islands in close collaboration with the Country Liaison Office for the Northern Micronesia, the Division of Pacific Technical Support and the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office.

2. Background

Improving registry data systems with emphasis on non-communicable diseases, mental health and communicable diseases care and use of communications technology to increase telehealth consultations, especially with specialists when needed, with neighbouring islands are key strategies outlined in the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS) Strategic Plan 2022 – 2030. In progressing on these priorities, the MoHHS has embarked on a number of digital health initiatives with development partner support and realize the urgent need for a coordinated approach to ensure efforts requiring scarce resources are not duplicated and that the systems developed contribute towards a national plan and that they are sustainable. Hence, the MoHHS of RMI has sought the support of WHO to support the drafting of a digital health strategy and the implementation of telehealth services. Technical support through an international consultant is sought to support stakeholder consultations and for the drafting of the digital health strategy for RMI and to conduct scoping to establish telemedicine between consultants in the two major hospitals in Majuro and Ebeye and health workers in health centres of neighbouring islands.

3. Works to be performed

The contracted consultant should facilitate stakeholder consultations and draft the digital health strategy in line with the priorities identified through stakeholder consultations and conduct a thorough scoping into the requirements of implementing provider-to-provider based telemedicine services between health workers from the two major hospitals and health centres in neighbouring islands.

Method(s) to carry out the activity

This role entails undertaking duty travel to the RMI to facilitate a series of stakeholder consultations in coordination with the WHO Country Liaison Office of the Northern Micronesia and the MoHHS of RMI, identify priorities and seek stakeholder confirmation on strategic directions, draft the digital health strategy remotely and conduct scoping review of telemedicine within a 3-month period. Desk reviews on already available information needs to be carried out and remote consultations with relevant stakeholders would also be required in completing the assignment.

Output/s

Output 1 : Conduct stakeholder consultation to identify digital health priorities for 2024 - 2028

Deliverable 1.1: Draft agenda and prepare workshop material for stakeholder consultations.

Deliverable 1.2: Support MoHHS to conduct a series of stakeholder consultations in-person to gain an in-depth understanding of the digital health landscape, identify strategic priorities by focusing on consolidating and prioritizing digital health goals from existing national strategic documents, and validate the digital health priorities that need to be included in the 5-year strategy.

Output 2: Draft digital health strategy

Deliverable 2.1: Review key and relevant documents to ensure that the strategy is in line with national health priorities and is practical to RMI’s context (e.g. technical capacity, resources).

Deliverable 2.2: Engage with a core group identified to draft the strategy and build adequate capacity for strategic planning in the process of drafting the digital health strategy.

Deliverable 2.3: Draft digital health strategy, including monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework and costed action plan, in consultation with the Health Informatics Department of the MoHHS.

Deliverable 2.4: Develop a practical M&E framework with clear methodology to track indicators and a costed action plan.

Deliverable 2.5: Conduct stakeholder consultation to validate and finalize draft strategic plan, M&E framework and costed action plan.

Output 3: Scoping for telehealth services between main hospitals and health centres in neighbouring islands

Deliverable 3.1: Conduct a thorough scoping exercise on the possibilities of expanding mHIS to outer islands based on existing connectivity, hardware, software, technical capacity etc.

Deliverable 3.2: Support MoHHS in the scope, design, and ensuring sustainability of mHIS such that it is fit-for-purpose in RMI and provide clear recommendations on way forward.

Deliverable 3.3: Develop a concept note to support scale up.

4. Specific requirements

Educational qualification

Essential: Bachelors level degree in information technology, information systems,
health informatics or a related field

Desirable: Masters level degree any of the disciplines listed above

Experience required

• At least 5 years of experience digital health strengthening and supporting ministries of health to draft Digital Health strategies, particularly in developing settings and/or small islands developing states.
• Proven experience to develop and foster co-operative working relationships with key stakeholder and health sector partners.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse and synthesise relevant information and translate findings into strategic recommendations.

Experience desirable

Experience working in Pacific Island countries and areas. Knowledge of the RMI
healthcare system.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Skilled in the assessment of digital health systems and drafting of digital health strategies in similar environments
• Computer applications such as MS Office
• Strong communication and coordination skills

Language requirements:

• Excellent written and verbal proficiency in English

5. Competencies

• Producing results
• Teamwork
• Communicating effectively
• Respecting cultural diversity

6. Place of assignment

At least 3 weeks in RMI and remote work during the remaining period

7. Medical clearance

Required

8. Travel

Travel to Ebeye and neighbouring islands may be required.

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.
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• 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.
• 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.