International consultant - Development of The National Digital Health Strategy

Purpose of consultancy

The international consultant shall support the development of a national strategy and action plan for digital health and the Digitalization of the Health Information System in Tunisia while emphasizing advocacy and sensitization, the strategy should be aligned with the National health policy (Projet de la Politique Nationale de Santé à l’horizon 2030, PNS) pillars and components for maximum impact.

Background

The global demand for and use of digital health interventions has grown exponentially in recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, digital health solutions were deployed for contact tracing, managing healthcare resources, and disseminating credible health information. The Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025, endorsed during the Seventy-third World Health Assembly, details the strategic objectives and framework to advance digital health for strengthening health systems and improving health for all. In Tunisia, several assessments of the health information system (HIS) and digital health have been conducted. Many activities are being implemented with the support of different stakeholders to improve the HIS and implement digital health initiatives.

There is a need to develop a National Digital Health Strategy for Tunisia, informed by the Global Strategy and developments in the digital health landscape. An international consultant is being sought to work with the WHO CO and the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) to support the MOH in the development of the national strategy and an integrated action plan. The international consultant will provide strategic guidance and technical support to articulate the vision and shape the technical content of the national strategy, drawing on international best practices, tools, and lessons learned. The international consultant will work in close collaboration and coordination with a national consultant who is also being recruited for this project.

Deliverables

The international consultant will work under the overall guidance of the WHO CO Tunisia and EM/RGO/SID/RAI and ISH, EMR/UHC/HS, to provide support to the MOH and other national stakeholders in the development of the National strategy on digital health and Digitalization of Health Information System Health Information System. The international consultant will work in close coordination and collaboration with the national consultant. The expected outputs and deliverables are described below.

Output 1: Develop a national strategy for digital health and Digitalization of Health Information System

Deliverable 1.1: Lead a process to support the MOH and national stakeholders to draft the national strategy based on the existing assessments and the results of the workshop in June 2023 on “the Development of a National Strategy & Action Plan for Digital Health and Digitalization of the Health Information Systems.”

Deliverable 1.2: Compile relevant international best practices, tools, and lessons learned for presentation to the MOH and national stakeholders and facilitate a process of integrating international experiences during the development of the national strategy, as relevant and appropriate to the Tunisian context.

Deliverable 1.3: Lead the drafting of the national strategy, in consultation and coordination with the MOH team to ensure ownership of the final product and supported by the national consultant.

Output 2: Develop an integrated Action Plan for Digital Health and Digitalization of the Health Information System

Deliverable 2.1: Provide technical leadership and support to the development of an integrated action plan including, a communication plan for advocacy and sensitization, expected outcomes, activities, roles and responsibilities, and implementation steps.

Deliverable 2.2: Provide technical support and guidance to the national consultant to determine the estimated cost and resources for the implementation of the action plan considering ongoing projects supported by the different partners.

Deliverable 2.3: Lead the drafting of the integrated action plan, in consultation and coordination with the national consultant and the MOH team.

Output 3: Facilitate a workshop on National Strategy & Action Plan for Digital Health and Digitalization of the Health Information Systems

Deliverable 3.1: Design and co-facilitate the workshop in collaboration with the national consultant and in consultation with MOH.

Deliverable 3.2: Review the detailed report of the workshop to be written by the national consultant and suggest how the key findings and recommendations can inform the development of the national strategy and action plan.

Deliverable 3.3: Finalize and submit a revised draft of the National Strategy & Action Plan for Digital Health and Digitalization of the Health Information System based on key findings and recommendations of workshop participants, in consultation with MOH and national stakeholders.

Education

Essential: Master’s degree in digital health, health information systems, health policy, public health or related field from a recognized university.

Desirable: Doctorate degree in the above areas.

Experience

Essential: Minimum 10 years of experience in digital health, health information systems, health strategic planning or a related area. Demonstrated experience developing high-level strategic documents for international agencies and for governments in low- and middle-income countries.

Desirable: Experience working with international organizations, including WHO and other UN agencies.

Skills/Knowledge

Essential: Excellent communication, coordination, and project management skills. Excellent knowledge and skills in digital health, health information, health strategy planning and report writing.

Desirable: Persistence in following up, tact, and diplomacy to work with international personnel.

Languages

Advanced written and spoken fluency in French and English is essential.

Location

Tunisia, Tunis

The consultant will work remotely with support from the WHO CO, including the convening and organization of meetings and workshops.

· Department: CO Tunisia / Health System

· Unit: UHC/HS, EMRO-WHO

Medical clearance

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

Travel

There is no need to travel either inside or outside of the country.

Remuneration and Expected duration of the contract (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year)

· Remuneration: band level “C”

· Expected duration of the contract: 6 months, starting once the selection process is finalized.

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: https://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:

a) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.

b) All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided.

c) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.

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 an 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 is committed to putting 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 that 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.