International Consultant – Health Management Information systems (HMIS)

Overview

Support and strengthen health information systems in Myanmar through strategic guidance and technical assistance.

You have:

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Science, health informatics, health statistics, IT sciences, e-health, epidemiology or related field from a recognized international university.
• At least seven years of relevant experience in the area of e-health architecture, health information system strengthening, including HMIS assessment, system design and implementation.
• Demonstrated exposure at the international level and relevant experience on health programmes management support and/or technical advice to relevant health authorities.
• Experience in managing web-based data collection and visualization projects, including DHIS2, Open MRS or other similar case-based platforms.
• Expert knowledge in DHIS2 and skills sets in handling DHIS2 at national/ regional/ district level.
• Expert level of English.

Purpose of consultancy

The incumbent will work with health stakeholders in strengthening health information systems in Myanmar. This will be done through providing guidance and facilitating the development of a common and interoperable platform to access and use data from multiple sources and ensuring application of appropriate data management standards and sound analytic techniques for producing accurate and reliable fit-for-purpose information for decision-making at different levels of the health systems.

Background

In order to save lives, avert disabilities and prevent infections, through an improved health information management system, which in turn will strengthen management of critical health programmes such as those on HIV, TB, malaria, COVID-19 but also on other communicable diseases and RMNCAH. Such technical support will facilitate progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the formulation of strategies and plan of actions and developing guidelines and tools for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of interventions for improving effective set-up and use of Health Management Information systems (HMIS). HMIS are pivotal in generating evidence for decision and action at all levels of the health system. Information and communication technologies (ICT) facilitate HMIS’ role in efficient collection, storing, processing, analysis, dissemination and use of data. ICT must be leveraged for improving data systems.

The current challenges in Myanmar in collecting, processing, analysing and using strategic health data has been exacerbated by the global on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, in addition to the overall objectives of the assignment as outlined above, it is also aimed to prepare for and potentially assist in the management of future COVID-19 waves, through a strengthening HMIS that includes management of tracing, testing and surveillance data.

Deliverable

Deliverables 1: An inception report detailing design of the review, approach and workplan for the duration of the scope of activities outlined. To be submitted by end of Month One.

Deliverables 2: Mid-term report by end of Month Five, including but not limited to: i) a finalized HIS roadmap for Myanmar; ii) A scaled-up COVID-19 DHIS2 tracker for COVID-19 surveillance in the country; and iii) Develop integrated digital health eco-system for Myanmar; iii) prepare training materials and conduct at least one training on DHIS2.

Deliverables 3: By the end of 10 months contract, the Consultant i) will develop the DHIS2 module and/or integrated DHIS2 system with other systems; ii) is expected to submit a report on improvement in Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System in Myanmar, including improving reporting involving cause of death recording and COVID-19 related mortality. A final comprehensive report describing these activities and achievements of deliverables must be submitted.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

Under direct supervision of the Advisor on Health Policy and Systems for UHC and overall guidance from WHO Representative, the international consultant will perform the following duties:

1. Support the guidance, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of National e-Health architecture blueprint and HMIS Strategic plan. In alignment with WHO’s SCORE for Health Data Technical Package where feasible, undertake a rapid situational assessment, and provide technical assistance in development of undefined parts.

2. Work with HMIS department, national disease programs and other health stakeholders to prepare HMIS strategic workplan evaluation reports and elicit, document and implement new or changes in reporting requirements of programs in their respective aggregate and case-based data systems and forms including those based on DHIS2.

3. Facilitate improvement, maintaining and sustaining development or enhancement of DHIS2 and case-based systems, through contextualised country adaptation of WHO guidance in these areas.

4. Support relevant teams and the disease-specific data systems in order to further integrate them, and/or make them interoperable, as well as identifying strategies to rationalize resources across systems. This includes technical work to assist management of tracing, testing and surveillance data on COVID-19 and similar respiratory diseases.

5. Prepare dashboards, health statistics reports/information products for HMIS, national disease programs and other health stakeholders and disseminate for regular reports.

6. Support the building of the Open Health Information Exchange (OpenHIE), HMIS Interoperability including of sub-systems and data standards, as well as by incorporating measures to ensure data safety and protection and respect confidentiality of individual data.

7. Prepare monthly progress report on status, actions and next steps towards each output.

8. Submit an end of assignment report.

9. Any other business as needed.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Science, health informatics, health statistics, IT sciences, e-health, epidemiology or related field from a recognized international university.

Experience

Essential:

• At least seven years of relevant experience in the area of e-health architecture, health information system strengthening, including HMIS assessment, system design and implementation.
• Demonstrated exposure at the international level and relevant experience on health programmes management support and/or technical advice to relevant health authorities;
• Experience in managing web-based data collection and visualization projects, including DHIS2, Open MRS or other similar case-based platforms.

Desirable: Experience in Myanmar health sector an advantage

Skills/Knowledge:

Expert knowledge in DHIS2 and skills sets in handling DHIS2 at national/regional/district level.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Advanced):

Expert level of English

Location

On site: The Consultant is expected to perform the tasks in-person at the duty station, WHO Country Office, Yangon, Myanmar.

Travel

The selected consultant is expected to travel from duty station to Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar if required

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

• Remuneration: Band Level - B - Monthly remuneration from USD 7,000 to USD 9,980; depending on the experience and qualification of the candidate.
• Living: Per diem will be paid as per WHO rules applicable to international consultant for travel.
• Expected duration of contract: 10 months

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) in English 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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: who.int