National Consultant (Health MIS), Freetown, Sierra Leone, 11.5 months (Onsite) - Open only to Sierra Leonean nationals

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, health

Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here

How can you make a difference?

Background

Following the Ebola epidemic, Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) directed a lot of effort towards strengthening the national Health Information System (HIS). With support from UNICEF and other partners, investment towards strengthening administrative data collection, transmission, analysis and use significantly increased, and regulatory frameworks and processes for public health facility reporting in the national health management information system (HMIS) were put in place. Available evidence suggests that overall Peripheral Health Unit (PHU) HMIS reporting has significantly improved; however, hospital reporting remains poor. Accuracy and use of data has remained relatively weak both at PHUs and hospitals levels.

UNICEF is preparing to support MOHS to configure data use applications namely Scorecard, Bottle Neck Analysis & Action Tracker which, once launched, are expected to be radically enhance data use culture in Sierra Leone.

Purpose and Objective of the Assignment:

The purpose of the intervention is twofold, the first is to provide technical assistance to sustain and build the capacity at hospitals for administration of the existing paper-based hospital management information system (MIS), assess the relevance of digitalizing the system, and if relevant, scope for and propose an appropriate electronic management medical system that will support evidence-based management decision making, contribute to improvements in quality of care and the overall management capacity of these hospitals as a Centre of Excellence. The second objective is to provide technical assistance to programme units in the section and MOHS in information management systems.

The specific objectives of the assignment are to:

• provide technical assistance, capacity building, and supplies (equipment and materials) to upgrade and strengthen the existing paper-based system and introduce an electronic filing system.
• carry out scoping and propose a design for the adoption of an appropriate, sustainable, and fully electronic information management system that includes an electronic medical records system throughout the hospital.

Please access the full job description here VA ToR - National Consultant (Health MIS).pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education

A first university degree in Health Informatics, Health Information Management, Health Systems Strengthening, Computer Sciences/Engineering, Information Technology, Public Health, Project Planning and Management or another related field.

Experience:

• At least 4 years of relevant experience of working in health management information system strengthening in developing countries. Previous working experience with UNICEF and/or other international agencies.
• Experience in health MIS project management

Additional Expertise/Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to develop custom electronic database, ICT trouble shooting., GIS mapping
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with partners, including the MoHS officials and other stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to integrate, synthesize and communicate ideas verbally and in writing, Excellent analytical, conceptual and writing skills
• IT proficiency
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of local language (Krio) is an advantage.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.