Consultants for the elaboration of the National Digital Health Strategy and its Implementation Plan

Background

The Mozambican Ministry of Health, among other measures to strengthen the health system, has chosen innovation and digital technology solutions in the health sector as one of its priorities, particularly in the area of digital health, with the aim of improving: access to quality health services (Telemedicine); the technical training of human resources (Telehealth); health information management; and the interface with the population (mobile applications, m-Health).

In 2020, the WHO adopted a resolution on the Global Strategy for Digital Health, which encourages Member States to develop and implement their national digital health strategies. Following this, in August 2021, the WHO African Region during the Regional Committee meeting (RC71) adopted the Framework for the implementation of the Global Strategy for Digital Health.

It is in this context that the Mozambican Ministry of Health decided to develop a National Strategy of Digital Health 2024-2030, which covers the following pillars: Telehealth (training platform), Telemedicine (health service delivery platform), Health Information System (Tele-SIS) and m-Health.

In order to develop the National Strategy for Digital Health and its implementation plan, it is necessary to hire 2 International Consultants:

a) 1 Consultant for the area of Digital Health which includes, among others, the Institutionalization of Digital Health in the Health System in Mozambique, based on the Pillars described above. This consultant will be the leader of the team of consultants and will guarantee the coordination of all the work and the quality of the deliverables of this consultancy; and

b) 1 International Consultant for the Telemedicine area, who will develop the Telemedicine Operationalization Plan, as one of the products of this consultancy and an integral part of the National Strategy for Digital Health.

The International Consultants will work with the support of one (1) National Consultant, who together will develop the National Strategy for Digital Health and related products.

Objective:

To develop and plan the implementation of a National Strategy for Digital Health that will contribute to improving access to health services, health system governance and responding to current challenges regarding the incorporation of innovative and technological solutions into Mozambique's National Health System.

Specific responsibilities of the international consultants:

The team of consultants will work under the direct supervision of the National Coordinator for Digital Health from the Ministry of Health of Mozambique and will be assisted in this coordination by the WHO technician in the country responsible for the area of Health System Governance; The team of consultants will have the following tasks:

1. Develop the National Vision on the institutionalization of Digital Health in the country (2024-2030):

- Engage and work with stakeholders;

- Carry out a situational analysis of the strategic context of digital health, taking into account the digital health maturity assessment carried out in Mozambique in 2023;

- Draft a strategic vision for the development of digital health in the country in line with the National e-Governance Strategy;

- Identify the possible pillars and components needed for the digital health strategy;

- Gather information on the current context of Digital Health in the country;

- Assess opportunities and gaps in correlation with other entities and authorities at national level, including ministries, legal authorities, the ICT sector and other related entities;

- Refine the vision and develop recommendations that will define the strategic objectives and pillars of the ENSD 2024-2023;

2. Develop an Implementation Plan with a specific phased description for implementing the ENSD (2024-2030)

- Develop lines of action for the ENSD 2024-2030 Implementation Plan;

- Determine technical, human, infrastructure and financial resource requirements for its implementation;

- Contact the relevant stakeholders, including the consultation and governance mechanisms envisaged in the country context;

3. Develop the monitoring and evaluation plan for the National Strategy for Digital Health (2024-2030);

- Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for monitoring and evaluation

- Establish the baseline and define the targets for the KPIs;

4. Governance and Partnerships for implementing the ENSD 2025-2030:

- Define political engagement and commitment in the governance and support processes for the implementation of ENSD 2024-2030;

- Identify key stakeholders from the health sector and other sectors who will need to be involved in the development of a National Digital Health vision, plan and its subsequent implementation.

- Establish governance mechanisms to provide better visibility, feasibility, sustainability, coordination and control of Digital Health activities.

Expected products:

1. A National Strategy for Digital Health, covering the following pillars: Telehealth (training platform), Telemedicine (health service provision platform), Health Information System (Tele-SIS) and m-Health, which includes:

a) A specific Operationalization Plan for Telemedicine, including the Basic Operating and Programme Procedure for the priority programme areas (Tele-cardiology, Tele-ophthalmology, Tele-dermatology, Tele-radiology, among others);

b) Detailed phased implementation plan for the operationalisation of the ENSD 2024-2030;

c) ENSD 2024-2030 Monitoring and Evaluation Plan;

The expected products must be delivered in editable WORD, PPT (summarised versions), PDF formats.

All expected products will be of the exclusive property of the Ministry of Health and should not be replicated by the consultancy team to third parties. The expected products must be delivered in Portuguese.

Educational Qualifications

The consultant(s) must have a background in medicine, a master's degree in computer engineering, computer science, information technology, information systems, health informatics, digital transformation or equivalent. Professional Certificate in Health Information and Management Systems is considered an advantage.

Experience

International Consultants should have at least 7 years of relevant experience in digital transformation strategic planning, implementation of health management information systems, digital health transformation strategy or any related areas.

Solid experience in digital health, health information management, health informatics and implementation of electronic health records. Demonstrate experience in developing budgeted action plan and implementation plan with M&E framework, preferably for developing countries.

Proven experience in designing IT functional architecture (vision, principles, policies and functional requirements);

Demonstrated experience to develop strategic documents in the area of digital health and similar tasks proven in the last 7 years.

Must have experience working with government entities and partners.

Skills/Knowledge

• Professional technical knowledge/expertise in HIMS standards/protocols, database management, data protection, security standards, etc;
• Skills and experience in Business Model Analysis, Health Information Exchange and Healthcare Enterprise Architecture;
• Skills and experience with open source software, especially in the health sector;
• Ability to work in a multicultural team environment and deliver products under pressure/to meet deadlines;
• Excellent analytical, research and report writing skills;
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Languages and level required

• Proficiency in Portuguese and intermediate level in English.

Location:

On site: WHO Office in Mozambique and the Ministry of Health, Maputo City (please indicate office and duty station);

Off site: From their country of residence for a period of 6 working weeks (please indicate location/address).

On site for insurance purposes : visits to 2 provinces (Central Quelimane Hospital and Beira Central Hospital

Additional Information

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