Digital Health Technical Officer

Volunteering Medical & Health IT & Telecom

Overview

Support digital health initiatives for improved health outcomes

You have:

• 5+ years of experience in digital health, innovation, or digital health technology at the national and/or international level.
• Experience with assessing or developing health data governance frameworks and policy proposals.
• Proven skills in strengthening and innovating public health functions through digital means.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including drafting and reporting.
• Ability to work in a multicultural team and adapt to a challenging environment.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in MS Office applications and database management.
• Flexibility and willingness to work in potentially difficult conditions.
• Desirable: valid national driver’s license and ability to drive manual gear 4x4.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Founded in 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) which aims to bring all people to the highest possible level of health, health being defined as " state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not only consisting of an absence of illness or infirmity.

In line with this mission, the Assistant Regional Directors (ARD) Cluster at WHO’s Regional Office for Africa plays a crucial role in driving health improvements across the African Region. The ARD Cluster performs cross-cutting technical functions, collaborating closely with countries and programme areas across various clusters, such as UHC Life Course, UHC Communicable and Non-Communicable, UHC Healthier Population, and Emergency Preparedness and Response. Its focus is on key subject areas to prepare WHO and Member States to make evidence-based decisions and leverage cutting-edge research and innovations.

To further WHO’s goal of Universal Health Coverage and the One Health approach, the ARD Cluster ensures that strategic priorities—such as integrated service delivery, diagnostics, laboratory services, antimicrobial resistance, research and innovation, and data analytics—are embedded in programs at all levels. While each unit within the cluster has distinct responsibilities, their collective purpose is to offer technical support and expert advisory services, strengthening coordination, platforms, and partnerships between WHO, Member States, and regional and global partners.

Among the six technical teams in the Cluster is the Science, Innovation, and Digital Health Unit, guided by the Assistant Regional Director (ARD). This unit is dedicated to strengthening digital health capabilities across Member States in the African Region. This commitment is driven by significant milestones, including contributions to the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025, the 2020 endorsement and enactment of the WHO Africa Region's digital health strategy and resolution, the establishment of the Digital Health Action Framework in August 2021, and the release of an AI governance and ethics document in June 2021.

However, there is a current challenge in the varying degrees of implementation of the global strategy among Member States, leading to a fragmented and uncoordinated execution of our strategic digital health program. The existing approach, characterized by small-scale pilots and the utilization of various tools and software solutions, often falls short of addressing the actual challenges faced by Ministries of Health. Therefore, we recognize the urgent need to streamline ongoing and future activities within the digital health domain across programs and clusters in the region, requiring the development of a strategic program that is both impactful and sustainable over time.

To support this initiative, the ARD Cluster is seeking a Digital Health Technical Officer to support various digital initiatives in the regional office. The Digital Health Technical Officer will report to the Assistant Regional Director.

• Support the delivery of the Regional Digital Health Implementation Framework’s targets by 2030. • Assist in the implementation of the Regional Digital Health Programme. • Provide technical support and guidance to Member States to leverage the digital health revolution effectively. • Ensure coordination of digital health and innovation across the regional office, including organizing and facilitating workstream meetings. • Support ongoing digital health initiatives at the regional office. • Assist Member States in strengthening digital health implementation at the country level. • Document best practices of digital health and innovation at the country level. • Assist in donor reporting and proposal preparation. • Support the Cluster Director in communicating the achievements and results of digital health initiatives. • Provide support to the Digital Health Technical Advisory Group. • Undertake any other assignment as requested by the supervisor.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

digital health, innovation, or digital health technology, or other relevant programmes, at the national and/or international level; experience with assessing or developing conceptual frameworks and policy proposals for health data governance, digitalization of public systems, healthcare delivery and public health is an asset, as is design and implementation of health project, governance and digital health architectures and digital service design. • Proven skills in strengthening and innovation of public health functions through digital means. • Experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; • Sound security awareness.

This is a family-duty station for most UN staff despite the limited operationality of health facilities; there is an American International school, a French Lycee and several other private institutions of education. All major cards can be used through a network of automated teller machines (ATMs) throughout the city. There is a wide range of housing options including what WHO offers in its multiple compounds (houses and apartments). An entry visa to the Republic of Congo is mandatory. Visas can be obtained at the Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Congo in your country of nationality or residence. If there is no diplomatic representation of the Republic of Congo in your country, it is mandatory to please bring the following: • The waiver provided by WHO, with the circular in French; • A copy of your travel authorization or official letter of invitation.

Congo provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in potentially difficult conditions, involving physical hardship and limited comfort, are essential.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org