Consultant, Polio Containment IMS, Manila, Philippines

Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to enhance the Polio Containment Information Management System and to develop interactive dashboards to visualize key immunization indicators to monitor progress towards the Regional Strategic Framework 2021-2030.

Background

Managing health intelligence on vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization has been set as one of the three strategic objectives in the Regional Strategic Framework for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization in the Western Pacific 2021-2030. As such, VDI unit has been developing information systems to optimize collection of real time data from countries through user-friendly interfaces and to visualize data for easy analysis and data sharing.

VDI recently developed a Polio Containment Information Management System (PCIMS) which is a web-based data collection system to monitor poliovirus facility containment and handling of polioviruses and poliovirus-potentially infectious materials in line with the WHO Potentially Infectious Materials (PIM) Guidance. The PCIMS is developed with objective to provide a real-time inventory of all polioviruses, per country and per facility. This system needs to be reviewed and enhanced to ensure correctness and proper functioning of the data workflow. The system also needs to be tested and deployed to users, i.e., laboratories, national polio program managers as well as WHO/VDI data managers.

VDI is also collecting annual information on immunization coverages, vaccine-preventable diseases, and other relevant health system indicators that supports good performance of the immunization programmes through the WHO/UNICEF e-Joint Reporting Form and other surveillance reports. Key information from these indicators needs to be always readily available and keep up to date for better planning, decision making and to monitor the progress of countries and the region towards the goals of the Regional Strategic Framework for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization in the Western Pacific 2021-2030. A dashboard to monitor progress and visualize key indicators needs to be designed and built.

Deliverables

In coordination with the VDI/WPRO, the consultant will:

• Enhance functionality and usability of the PCIMS following the WHO PIM Guidance and ensure user-friendly interface that accommodates different levels of user access;
• Train relevant system users including national polio containment coordinators, laboratories, and relevant VDI staff; and
• Develop interactive dashboards to monitor immunization indicators as guided by the Regional Strategic Framework 2021-2030

Output 1: Enhanced Polio Containment Information Management System

Deliverable 1.1: Review, document, and revise current functionality, usability and workflow of PCIMS, and incorporating feedback from current users and WHO Deliverable 1.2: Improve look and feel of the PCIMS user interface

Output 2: Deployment of the PCIMS and training of users

Deliverable 2.1. Develop PCIMS User’s Manual Deliverable 2.2. Develop administrator’s installation guide Deliverable 2.3. Develop training package for different system users including instructional videos, PowerPoint presentations and manuals Deliverable 2.4. Facilitate and lead the training of users during the National Polio Containment Coordinators’ Meeting in November 2024 (Manila, Philippines). Deliverable 2.5. Provide technical support to national polio containment coordinators on the usage of the system

Output 3: Design and develop data visualization dashboard for key immunization indicators

Deliverable 3.1. Develop data model and pipelines in the WPRO/VDI Mart to draw data from eJRF (via WIISE Mart) and other data sources, such as surveillance data Deliverable 3.2. Design a dashboard using appropriate technologies and tools (e.g. PowerBI)

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree in information technology, computer science, technology management, knowledge management or related field from a recognized university.

Experience required:

Essential: Minimum 5 years of experience in developing and managing information and database systems. Work experience in health information systems development and/or immunization data monitoring. Experience in conducting and facilitating trainings.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

• Programming/scripting languages: PHP
• Database management system: MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server
• GIS software: ArcView/ArcGIS
• Data visualization: Power BI

Languages and level required

Expert knowledge of English (read-write-speak)

Location

Off site: Home-based

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget

Remuneration: Payband level A - USD 5,000/month Expected duration of contract: 6.5 months, expected start date is 24 June 2024.

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. • The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to [email protected] • An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates. • WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. • Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. • WHO shall have no responsibility 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 each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO. • Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected]. • In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates.