Strategic Health Information Officer

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Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Currently, countries are facing gaps in the availability and use of health intelligence to guide and inform decision making for countries health agenda, and in implementation of the WHOs 13th General Programme of Work. These gaps arise because of inappropriate generation of data and statistics, limited country capacities for analysis of the existing data/statistics and the lack of knowledge products that translate these information into products that decision makers can utilize. WHO has been requested by Member States and partners to prioritize this capacity in country offices. This expectation has been reflected in the WHO Country office functional review processes, where the strategic health information capacity has been identified as a core capacity needed. Coupled with this is the current drive by the WHO Regional Office to open more opportunities for technically competent persons to have an opportunity to work with the WHO Regional Office, as part of its talent search and provision of opportunities to persons building careers in public health to enhance their international experiences. The WHO is therefore seeking technically competent United Nations Volunteers to work as Strategic Health Information Officers in multiple countries across the region

Description of tasks

Under the guidance and overall supervision of the WHO Representative, and working under technical guidance of the team responsible for Data, Analytics and knowledge translation at the Regional Office level, the persons shall contribute to the generation and use of strategic health information in the Country.

The incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities which are performed according to the needs and agenda:

1) To proactively support the development of required capacities in the country to generate intelligence for health. This involves strengthening of systems for routine health facility data collection, birth death and cause of death, surveillance data, facility and community-based surveys including demographic and health surveys. This involves the development of norms and standards, regular country capacity assessments to identify gaps and provision of support to address these gaps, and regularly provide status updates through scorecards, statistics atlas and other methods to consolidate the country status

2) To lead work with countries and technical experts on analysis of existing data and statistics in order to discern trends and patterns, plus build attribution and prediction models for the direction of health in the country. These analytics are at facility, sub national, national and cross-country levels. The emerging information shall be consolidated in periodic publications that will need to be produced, such as state of health in a member state or the sub-region, or specific program analyses. In addition, the support to sector monitoring and evaluation processes in the sub region.

3) To support the generation of evidence to guide decision makers, through development of health policy briefs, documentation of good / best practices, writing health blogs on key events, and other methods for evidence sharing. 4) Support the work on innovative approaches to ensuring strategic health information is available, specifically focusing on functioning of health observatories in the country and harmonizing the work on digital health. 5) Facilitate strengthening of governance of health information systems, particularly in assessing state of health information systems, and supporting initiatives to address gaps in the capacity to generate, analyze and use health information for decision making; establishment and supporting data collaboratives for better use of existing health information resources’ and mobilizing resources for health information 6) Guide the generation of institutional data, analytical and knowledge products relating to the work of WHO and partners in countries such as SDG monitoring, Global Action Plan status, and the WHO Global Program of Work impact framework within the sub region. 7) To perform other related responsibilities as assigned by the WHO Representative and/or the Data analytics and knowledge translation team

Results/expected outputs

• As an active WHO team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to WHO and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: Serve as WHO focal point for strategic health information through generating data and statistics, analytics, and knowledge in specific countries of the region to ensure health intelligence and evidence is available and used for decision making

• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Competencies and values:

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to WHO technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to WHO procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and WHO in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards WHO’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• At least 3 (three) years’ practical experience working in generating and using strategic health information, specifically in generating data / statistics, and/or analysis of data including conducting of sector wide Monitoring and Evaluations, and/or development of knowledge products such as health policy briefs. • Experience with the compilation and analysis of large datasets from multiple sources. • Proven ability to document strategic health information such as through production of country statistical abstracts, sector review reports, health policy briefs, best practice documentations, and others. Considered as an asset: • Experience in the health sector • Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations. • Support to information systems in health at the national and sub national (district) levels in multiple countries • Experience of working in countries of the WHO African Region

Mauritania, officially the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is a country in the Maghreb region of northwest Africa. It is the eleventh largest country in Africa and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Western Sahara to the north, Algeria to the northeast. Mauritania has a mixed Arab and Berber population of 3.4 million (in 2014), about a third of its population lives in Nouakchott, the capital and largest city, located between the dunes and the ocean . Services and infrastructure have improved recently. The health system in Mauritania consists mainly of administrative centers and emergency health structures. The country's healthcare system is primarily public, however, over the past decade, the private medical sector has seen a steady increase. The country has hospitals in all 15 regions. Some of these hospitals are suitable for medical emergencies; however, they are not fully equipped to accommodate hospitalized patients. The UN system has a list of hospital and private facilities for the needs of UN staff and families. There is a lack of adequate schools in the country. However, these are two major international schools (French and American). Mauritania has no particular security problems. Violent crimes are rare in Mauritania. Nevertheless, expats, especially women, should avoid traveling alone at night and taking taxis alone, as muggings can be a problem for women, especially foreign ones. These are many restaurants and a large expat community. Nouakchott has a Saharan climate. Daytime temperatures exceed 38 degrees Celsius (100° Fahrenheit) during the day, but mornings and nights are cool. No particular vaccine is required to enter Mauritania. However, it is recommended to have an up-to-date vaccination certificate.

Mauritania offers an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in difficult and potentially dangerous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org

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