Programme Officer (System Developer, District Health Information System 2)

Volunteering Programme & Policy Medical & Health

Overview

Support the development and optimization of DHIS2 modules for health services.

You have:

• Experience in development of complex tracking modules e.g. the DHIS2 tracker program & Dataset for Health sector
• Experience in data management in PostgreSQL and MySQL databases
• Extensive knowledge of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) programs
• Acquired knowledge of National Digital Health Standards
• Trained in the DHIS2 tracker academy or related DHIS2 training
• Experience supporting surveillance systems for Communicable Diseases
• Hands on experience in working with the Government system
• Good communication and training facilitation skills

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

The WHO Country Office collaborates with the Government of Bangladesh and relevant stakeholders under the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) to provide technical assistance in developing national health policies, strategies and action plans, and strengthening systems, frameworks and tools for monitoring and evaluation to improve access to quality, affordable, integrated and people-centred health services. The Communicable Diseases Surveillance (CDS) Unit supports the Government in achieving national health goals by providing technical assistance in policy development, strategic planning, surveillance, implementation of WHO norms and standards, knowledge management and institutional capacity strengthening. The Unit contributes to national, regional and global initiatives for the prevention, control, elimination and surveillance of communicable diseases, including HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, viral hepatitis, cholera, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and other vector-, food- and water-borne diseases.

NTDs are a group of preventable and treatable communicable diseases that disproportionately affect poor and vulnerable populations. Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress, including WHO validation of the elimination of Kala-azar and Lymphatic Filariasis as public health problems. Sustaining these achievements requires strong post-validation surveillance, integrated vector management, timely case detection and response, and robust health information systems to prevent disease re-emergence. WHO supports the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in strengthening surveillance, reporting, data management and programme implementation for priority NTDs, including Kala-azar, Lymphatic Filariasis, Dengue, Leprosy, Rabies, Snakebite Envenoming, Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases (STH), Skin NTDs and other vector-borne diseases. A key priority is to institutionalize a DHIS2 (District Health Information System 2)-based surveillance platform to improve data quality, interoperability, real-time reporting, analysis and evidence-based decision-making, contributing to national health priorities, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the WHO NTD Road Map 2021–2030.

WHO Bangladesh also supports the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in strengthening digital health information systems for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), mental health and shared behavioural risk factors.

This assignment will support the development, customization, integration and optimization of DHIS2 modules for priority NTDs while facilitating integration of selected NCD and mental health information systems into the national digital health architecture. It will strengthen surveillance, programme monitoring, interoperability, data quality, real-time reporting and evidence-based decision-making through an integrated DHIS2 platform. The assignment will also strengthen post-validation surveillance for Kala-azar and Lymphatic Filariasis, improve early case detection and response, build national capacity through system development and user training, and promote effective use of quality data to improve programme performance and reduce morbidity and mortality among vulnerable populations.

Under the overall supervision of the WHO Medical Officer-CDS (Communicable Diseases) and direct supervision of National Professional Officer (NPO)- NTD, Vector Borne Diseases and One Health, and in close collaboration with CDS and NCD & Mental Health team members, the incumbent will have to perform the activities as described below:

• Design, configure, and customize DHIS2 modules (Tracker, Event, and Aggregate) for priority eliminating NTDs, including vector borne diseases such as Kala-azar Lymphatic Filariasis, Dengue, Leprosy, Rabies, Snake bite envenoming, STH , skin NTDs etc., in coordination with WHO and relevant department/ programme of DGHS.

• Incorporate updated case reporting forms, including geo-location data capture, and develop required data elements, option sets, program rules, indicators, datasets, and validation rules as per programme requirements.

• Support the development, configuration and integration of standardized DHIS2 metadata, indicators, datasets, reporting forms, validation rules and dashboards for selected noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), mental health and behavioural risk-factor programmes, in collaboration with the WHO NCD and Mental Health team, MIS-DGHS and relevant programme managers.

• Support harmonization and interoperability of communicable disease, NCD and mental health reporting systems within the national digital health architecture, including DHIS2, electronic medical records and other national digital health platforms, where appropriate.

• Provide technical support for the development of programme monitoring dashboards, cohort monitoring tools, routine reports and data visualization products for NCDs, mental health and selected behavioural risk-factor programmes to strengthen evidence-informed programme management and decision-making.

• Develop conditional (cascading) dropdown menus to facilitate hierarchical selection of District, Upazila, Union, and other administrative units within DHIS2 data entry forms.

• Troubleshoot and resolve system issues, including user roles, permissions, program assignments, and organizational unit assignments across different NTD reporting sites.

• Ensure compliance with national digital health standards and maintain the smooth operation of the DHIS2 data flow network.

• Develop customized dashboards and analytics tools to support monitoring and decision-making for priority NTD programmes.

• Map and migrate data fields from old tracker programmes to updated tracker configurations, and support capacity building on data use, visualization, and data quality improvement, particularly for the Kala-azar programme.

• Develop user manuals, standard operating procedures (SOPs), data entry guidelines, tutorials, and technical documentation for DHIS2 applications supporting communicable diseases, NCDs, mental health and related programme areas for service providers, statisticians, data managers, and other relevant programme staff.

• Conduct hands-on training sessions for national and sub national staff on DHIS2 configuration, data entry, reporting, analyzing , data use and visualization, dashboard use, data quality assurance and system operation during piloting and implementation phases for communicable diseases, NCDs and mental health programmes.

• Teamwork • Communication • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences • Moving forward in a changing environment • Technical expertise in DHIS2 configuration and customization

Required:

• Experience in development of complex tracking modules e.g. the DHIS2 tracker program & Dataset for Health sector • Experience in data management in PostgreSQL and MySQL databases, data migration, and data visualization are a must • Extensive knowledge of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) programs / Non communicable Diseases (NCD) / Communicable diseases (CDs) • Acquired knowledge of National Digital Health Standards

Desirable:

• Trained in the DHIS2 tracker academy or related DHIS2 training. • Experience supporting surveillance systems for Communicable Diseases / Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), • Hands on experience in working with the Government system, especially with MIS, DGHS and MoH. • Working experience in the WHO and /or other UN agencies would be an advantage. • Good communication and training facilitation. • Work independently with minimum guidance and supervision from WHO Professional staff

Computer Literacy:

• Proficient in using computer software applications. Knowledge of DHIS2 Web API, data import/export tools (CSV, JSON), and system integration. Experience in metadata management, including data elements, program rules, data security.

Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Not only is it the capital city, but it is also the largest in the country. It is the centre of political, cultural, and economic life in Bangladesh. The official language is Bengali, while English is the working language of UN Agencies. In recent decades, Dhaka has seen the modernization of services, communications, and public works. The city is attracting large foreign investments and greater volumes of commerce and trade. It is also experiencing an increasing influx of people from across the nation; this has reportedly made Dhaka one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Good English-speaking medical, dental services, and educational centres are available for internationals.

Dhaka is connected to other cities by rail, road, and by air and internationals can move easily from one city to another. Dhaka has venerable green spaces, including many gardens and parks, historical places, and nice restaurants. The weather is tropical - hot and very humid during the summer monsoon season (April-September) and drier and cooler in the winter (October-March).

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos

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Potential interview questions

Added 15 days ago - Updated 1 day ago - Source: unv.org