Re-advertised - Technical Assistant (TA) to support Health Management Information System (HMIS) - JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

Contract

This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.

Background

South Sudan signed the New Funding Model 3 (NFM3) HIV/RSSH/TB grant in December 2020. The NFM3 grant covers the implementation period from January 2021 to December 2023. It is important to note that the 2020-2023 GFATM grant cycle prioritizes high impact interventions and activities to address HIV, TB, and Resilient Systems for Sustainable Health (RSSH) issues in South Sudan.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) since 2018 has been using the District Health Information System (DHIS2) as electronic health information management system for South Sudan. The DHIS2 has been scaled up to all counties and some selected health facilities in the country. There is need to strengthen and scale up the use of the DHIS2 in the country and this will entail, readjusting the current modules to be able to accommodate the changes in the data collection tools, adding modules to the existing system to make it more comprehensive in capturing HMIS data, linking the existing DHIS 2 modules to other system in country to support reporting through the DHIS2.

South Sudan has also been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for accurate data to inform the pandemic response is more acute. The DHIS2 has been adopted by the MOH for data collection and management for most diseases’ programs. There is need to build a robust system to support the country’s responses in the fighting against diseases such as HIV/TB and Malaria through case investigation, case confirmation in the laboratories, case management to outcome. The need for in country systems developer to support the customization of the DHIS2 to capture data along the cascade as well as explore and provide the opportunities to link the DHIS 2 to other systems, enhance interoperability capacity and eventually have an integrated system for the country.

The purpose of the assignment is to support the Directorate of Policy, Planning, Budgeting, and Research, in the Ministry of Health to strengthen the South Sudan Health Management Information System. The assignment is required to specifically:

1. Support updating and finalization of the HMIS Policy, Strategy, review and integration of data collection and reporting tools
2. Ensure linking all the reporting systems to the existing DHIS 2 system as the only national health information reporting platform in the country.
3. Review the current eLMIS in collaboration with the eLMIS consultant to set up an interoperable system with the DHIS-2 and develop user-friendly dashboards in the DHIS 2
4. Customize DHIS 2 to include eLMIS platform and link together as platform for South Sudan
5. Build the capacity for end-users to manage and use the DHIS2 Logistics module and eLMIS/LMIS.
6. Develop the operational guidelines for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the HMIS integration, DQAs and periodic data and system reviews to strengthen the system functionality
7. Review and update of the HMIS training manuals
8. Review and update the guidelines, SOPs and tools including checklists and reporting template for joint supportive supervision.

Duties and Responsibilities

The international consultant will work with the staff of Directorate of Policy, Planning, Budgeting, and Research, in MOH to carry out the following tasks:

• Develop an inception report with detailed work plan for providing this technical support the review and finalize the HMIS policy and strategy, and guidelines and plan for integration of Health Management Information System through strengthening of the DHIS2 system functionality.
• Work with the technical team at the Directorate to review and finalize the policy and strategy for Health Information System
• Development of reporting guidelines, roadmap and comprehensive plan for integration of the Health Management Information System through the DHIS2 as the national reporting platform for health in South Sudan
• Develop the operational guidelines for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the HMIS integration, DQAs and periodic data and system reviews to strengthen the system functionality
• Support the team to customize all the reporting tools and modules to enable the individual case data to be captured across the cascade.
• Customize standard reports for aggregate reporting at the various levels
• Update all reporting tools for DHIS 2 module and/or Integrate DHIS2 system with other systems. The tools required for integration of HMIS systems will include but not limited to: Laboratory management Information system (LMIS), Electronic Logistics Information management system (e-LMIS), e-TB system, electronic medical record (EMR) system, EWAS, IDSR, IHRIS to the District Health Information System (DHIS 2) at the MOH.
• Establish Interoperability between DHIS2 and eLMIS and develop user-friendly dashboards in the DHIS 2 platform.
• Build the capacity for end-users to manage and use the DHIS2 eLMIS dashboard for decision making.
• Reviewing and updating the guidelines, SOPs and tools including checklists and reporting template for joint supportive supervision
• Facilitate the validation workshop.
• Provide mentorship and capacity building to the members of the DHIS2 Technical team.
• Provide further guidance in monitoring the post-implementation activities of the system including basic troubleshooting
• Provide on job training and mentorship to strengthen the capacity of end-users
• Perform any other related duties that will be assigned by the supervisor.

Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to submit the following deliverables:

• Inception report developed detailing the next steps.
• HMIS policy and strategy documents finalized.
• eLMIS and other relevant platforms integrated into DHIS2
• Guidelines, roadmap, annual plan and operational guidelines for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the HMIS integration developed.
• DHIS/HMIS training manual reviewed and updated.
• Updated guidelines, SOPs and tools including checklists and reporting template for joint supportive supervision
• Final consultancy report submitted.

Payments:

Payment Method for the Consultancy

• The consultant shall be paid on a daily rate (based on the number of working days worked)
• The consultant shall be paid a Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA)
• Payments shall be based on the Certificate of Payments that will be submitted
• Time Sheet will be attached and verified by the direct supervisor; and
• Final tranche upon performance evaluation from the direct supervisor.

Travel:

International travel - Payment of travel costs including tickets, terminal expenses and DSA should be agreed between UNDP and the Individual Consultant prior to travel; and will be covered and paid for by UNDP. The airfare will always be the “most direct, most economical” and any difference in price with the preferred route will be paid for by the individual consultant.

Domestic travel – this assignment may require traveling outside South Sudan capital city (Juba), and UNDP shall cover air-flight cost.

Competencies

• Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products.
• Professional and/or academic experience in one or more of the areas of international development, public health, or related field

Project and Resource Management:

• Ability to produce high quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs.
• Ability to focus on impact and results for the client, promoting and demonstrating an ethic of client service.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently, produce high quality outputs.
• Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage competing priorities.

Partnership building and teamwork:

• Demonstrated well developed people management skills.
• Strong ability to manage teams; creating an enabling environment, mentoring and developing staff.
• Excellent negotiating and networking skills.
• Demonstrated flexibility to excel in a multi-cultural environment.
• Provides constructive coaching and feedback.

Communications and Advocacy:

• Strong ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences and speak clearly and convincingly.
• Strong presentation skills in meetings with the ability to adapt for different audiences.
• Strong analytical, research and writing skills with demonstrated ability to think strategically.
• Strong capacity to communicate clearly and quickly.
• Strong inter-personal, negotiation and liaison skills.

Institutinal arrangments

The consultant will be based in South Sudan on a full-time basis for a period of Twenty (40) working days.

The consultant will report to Director General for Policy, Planning, Budgeting, and Research MOH, South Sudan. To enhance the MOH capacity in administration of DHIS, the consultant will be expected to work alongside DHIS2 core team led by the Strategic Information Manager at the MOH

Evaluation criteria

• Technical Criteria weight; [70%]
• Financial Criteria weight; [30%]

To be computed as a ratio of the Proposal’s offer to the lowest price among the proposals received by UNDP

Language:

• Excellent oral and written English

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications of the Successful International Consultant

• Advanced degree (Master’s level) in a relevant field (Monitoring and Evaluation, Biostatistics, econometrics, advanced statistical analysis, data/information/health management).

Experience

• At least five years expertise in information system management, database administration and Management.
• Five years’ experience in health information management systems
• Previous work experience supporting countries in DHIS2 rollout in sub-Saharan countries including experience in training DHIS 2 administrators and health information users.
• Hands-on experience on integration of various systems with DHIS2
• In-depth experience on DHIS2 customization
• Previous work experience of HMIS in South Sudan will be an added advantage.
• Excellent skills and experience in training facilitation, mentoring and capacity development
• Demonstrate oral and written communication skills, including presentations.