Strategic Information Officer/ Health Information Systems Specialist

Volunteering Medical & Health IT & Telecom

Overview

Assist the HIS unit in developing and maintaining health information systems.

You have:

• Strong experience in health information systems.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis using Stata or R.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Commitment to continuous learning.

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.

The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHO is a member of the United Nations Development Group. WHO's primary role is to direct international health within the United Nations' system and to lead partners in global health responses.

WHO works across the six WHO regions to support Member States as they coordinate the efforts of multiple sectors of the government and partners – including bi- and multilaterals, funds and foundations, civil society organizations and private sector – to attain their health objectives and support their national health policies and strategies. The WHO Regional Office for Africa is one of WHO’s 6 regional offices around the world. It serves the WHO African Region, which comprises 47 Member States with the Regional Office in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. As the lead health authority within the United Nations (UN) system, we work with the Member States in the African Region and development partners to improve the health and well-being of people.

AFRO’s work involves translation of global health initiatives into regional plans that respond to the specific needs and challenges of countries in the Region. Supporting countries to achieve better health outcomes through technical and policy advice, development of norms and standards, generation and sharing of knowledge and convening health partners. Together with countries, support is provided to attain health objectives by supporting national health policies and strategies.

Main areas of work include health sector development, combating diseases – infectious diseases like TB and HIV, and non-infectious diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Preparation for and rapidly respond to disasters and emergencies and helping mothers and children survive and thrive, so they can look forward to a healthy old age.

WHO staff are united in a shared commitment to ensuring that all people have access to good quality affordable health care without falling into poverty.

To monitor its progress and performance, including monitoring of its 13th General Program of Work (GPW 13), the World Health Organization (WHO) relies heavily on data generated by the national health information systems (NHIS) of the Member States. Therefore, a strong NHIS with a capacity to generate reliable, good-quality data on time is of great interest to WHO as it is to the Member States.

The strength of the national HIS and the availability, quality, and timeliness of their data directly affect the reports that WHO produces; WHO has plans to do more to support the countries to strengthen their NHIS. To achieve this, the leadership of WHO in the African Region (AFRO) established the Health Information System unit.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the HIS Team Leader, the Strategic Information Officer/ Health Information systems specialist will assist in the technical support of the HIS unit in: • Developing, implementing, and maintaining health information systems for data generation, particularly facility-wide electronic systems that capture, store, and manage patient data, medical records, and other relevant healthcare information. • Support setting up and deployment of seamless integration of different health information systems and technologies to allow data exchange between various facilities and levels of care. • Support the implementation of data quality, data validation procedures, systems reviews, and data cleaning processes. • Providing training sessions and workshops to healthcare workers on properly using health information systems, data entry procedures, and best practices for maintaining data accuracy. • Offering technical support to users of health information systems, addressing their queries, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring efficient system utilization for data aggregator systems at national, sub-national, and regional levels. • Continuous Learning: Staying updated with the latest advancements in health informatics, data management, and technological trends to enhance the WHO AFRO's information management capabilities. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Excellent skills in the statistical analysis of health data using Stata or R statistical package, skills in assessment, surveillance, and monitoring and evaluation, with the ability to conceptualize and implement innovative strategies and promote their implementation; • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure; • Proven ability to communicate effectively; • Tact, discretion and ability to promote consensus; • Experienced team-player; • Professionalism; • Integrity; • Teamwork and respect for diversity; • Commitment to continuous learning; • Planning and organizing; • Communication; • Flexibility; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement.

Public Health, Computer science, Information technology, health informatics, and/or other health-related fields.

The Republic of Congo is a low-middle income country, located in Central Africa sub-region. The country shares boundaries with Gabon in the South-West, Cameroon and Central Republic Africa in the North and North East, the Democratic Republic of Congo in the East, Angola and Atlantic Ocean in the South. Since 2014, the Republic of Congo is experiencing an economic downturn, affecting the economic growth (-5 per cent in 2017). Because of the persistent drop in the price of oil, this situation drove to the decline of the gross domestic product per capita, from $3,196 in 2013 to $1,658 in 2017. Nevertheless, the country is globally stable and safe in the main urban and rural areas. Frequent disruptions are recorded in the electricity supply, particularly in Brazzaville (political capital) and Pointe-Noire (economic capital). The living cost is relatively affordable, but some concerns with the cost of decent housing should be noted. The population enjoys dressing in style and loves music both profane and religious. According to United Nations security standards, life and travel in Brazzaville and in the other areas major are secure. The Republic of Congo is a unique country. It provides for 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 harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org