Strategic Health Information Officer

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

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

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs are:

• 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.

1) Communicating in a credible and effective way

2) Knowing and managing yourself

3) Producing results

4) Fostering integration and teamwork

5) Respecting and promoting cultural differences.

• 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; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; • 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.

The incumbent should be able to demonstrate an understanding of: (i) Elements of health information systems governance and how they can be applied to improve statistics, analytics and knowledge use for decision making (ii) Common sources of health data and statistics including facility-based registry systems, community registration systems, health surveys, and surveillance systems amongst others (iii) Knowledge of the common tools and mechanisms for collection of health data and statistics, such as the international disease classification, DHIS 2, conduct of verbal autopsies, and others (iv) Review of data quality, in particular the health data system and approaches to improve data quality (v) Analysis and synthesis of health data and interpretation of results through a high level of analytical skills at all levels of the health system (vi) 6.Advanced ability to design, manage, analyze and coordinate complex information system projects, computer-based applications and databases, web-based tools (vii) Processes and mechanisms for effective dissemination of health and decision-making such as spreadsheet applications, CSPro application, Tableau, Power BI, STATA and others (viii) Ability to identify and apply modern ICT methodologies to health information systems and to the use of various mechanisms including for health observatories and scorecards for the implementation of best practices in the region. • 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.

Niamey is a duty station with family. In view of recent terrorist attacks and inter-community conflicts, it is imperative that all UN Volunteers familiarize themselves with the security guidelines and the situation upon arrival in the country.

The UNV Support Unit at UNDP may book temporary accommodation at the expense of the UN Volunteer which may or may not be extended at the Volunteer's discretion until permanent accommodation is found. Alternatively, UNVs could opt to co-rent and share accommodation, which must comply with UN Residential Security Standards (MORSS).

United Nations Volunteers should be aware that they are exposed to a number of tropical diseases. Vaccination against yellow fever is compulsory to enter Niger. The other compulsory vaccinations are hepatitis A, B, tetanus. All United Nations Volunteers have 24 hour access to a medical services clinic.

Niger has a hot and dry climate with a long dry season. It is therefore advisable to bring light clothing.

Various mobile phone companies operate in Niger. SIM cards are available at the airport or in shopping malls.