Consultant - Digital Health Information, Cook Islands

Purpose of the consultancy

A short-term consultant is being recruited to provide technical assistance to the Cook Islands Ministry of Health to develop their digital health information strategy.

Background

Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health (TMO) identified digital health as a national priority to transform healthcare in the Cook Islands. Moreover, TMO has been identified as the most digitally ready to pilot an e-Government project as part of the National Government ICT Strategy (2019-2024). To guide the planning and coordination of TMO digital health advancement and related e-Government initiatives, a national digital health strategy is needed. As such Cook Islands has requested technical support from WHO to develop the TMO Digital Health Information Strategy, including an implementation plan and monitoring and evaluation framework.

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Estimated start date: 25 August 2023 Duration: 40 days (full time)

Work to be performed

Under the supervision of the Technical Officer, Health Systems Strengthening and guidance of the Head of WHO Office, Western Samoa, the consultant will support Cook Islands to develop the TMO digital health information strategy, implementation plan and monitoring and evaluation framework. The consultant will also conduct large stakeholder consultations to build consensus on and validate the strategic documents.

Methods to carry out the activities:

· Update draft digital health information strategy by consolidating information from desk review of documents and stakeholder interviews. · Lead stakeholder consultations, in coordination with TMO and WHO, to build consensus on and validate strategic direction and technical requirements in draft documents. · In close collaboration with the TMO and WHO, draft the digital health information strategy, implementation plan, and monitoring and evaluation framework.

Output/s

Output 1 : Draft the digital health information strategy, including the implementation plan and monitoring and evaluation framework Deliverable 1.1: Update draft strategy with information elicited from a desk review of documents and stakeholder interviews. Deliverable 1.2: Lead in-person and virtual stakeholder consultations with internal and external stakeholders to build consensus on strategic direction, requirements, and implementation steps of the draft strategy. Deliverable 1.3: Collaborate with the TMO to revise the strategy, implement plan, and monitoring and evaluation framework (with detailed standard of procedure and indicator meta data) based on each set of stakeholder consultations and review feedback.Specific requirements

Specific Requirements

Educational

Essential: Bachelors level degree in information technology, digital health, health informatics or a related field. Desirable: Masters level degree any of the disciplines listed above.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of experience in 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 cooperative working relationships with key stakeholders and health sector partners. Desirable: Experience working in Pacific Island countries and areas. Knowledge of the Cook Islands’ healthcare system.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Demonstrated ability to analyse and synthesize relevant information and translate findings into strategic recommendations. Demonstrated skills in assessing the digital health landscape Demonstrated skills in consolidating information from multiple sources to draft digital health strategies Strong communication and coordination skills Computer applications such as MS Office

Language requirements:

Excellent written and verbal proficiency in English

Place of assignment

The consultant is expected to work on-site: Cook Islands.

Medical Certificate (Consultants only)

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel

Travel to the Cook Islands is expected.

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance. Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

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.

..