National Individual Contractor – Information Management Systems, Sierra Leone, 11.5 months, Onsite

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, health

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Background

Following the Ebola epidemic, Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health, and Sanitation (MoHS) directed a lot of effort towards strengthening the national Health Information System (HIS). With support from UNICEF and other partners, investment towards strengthening administrative data collection, transmission, analysis and use significantly increased, and regulatory frameworks and processes for public health facility reporting in the national health management information system (HMIS) were put in place. Available evidence suggests that overall Peripheral Health Unit (PHU) HMIS reporting has significantly improved; however, hospital reporting remains poor. Accuracy and use of data has remained relatively weak both at PHUs and hospitals levels. 

UNICEF is preparing to support MOHS to configure data use applications namely Scorecard, Bottle Neck Analysis & Action Tracker which, once launched, are expected to be radically enhance data use culture in Sierra Leone.

Purpose and Objective of the Assignment:

The purpose of the intervention is to provide technical assistance to sustain and build the capacity at facility level for administration of the existing health management information system (HMIS), assess the relevance of digitalizing the system, and if relevant,  scope for and propose an appropriate electronic management medical system that will support evidence-based management decision making, contribute to improvements in quality of care and the overall management capacity of facilities( both primary health care and hospitals). In addition, the consultant is to provide technical assistance to programme units in the section and MOHS in information management systems.

The specific objectives of the assignment are to:  

• Assist in implementation UNICEF digital health initiatives to MOH and DHMTs such as Scorecard, BNA, and Action tracker.
• Contribute to better performance tracking systems for the UNICEF Health and Nutrition programme have through the design and implementation of data collection tools for the enhance availability of up-to-date infographics and dashboard.
• Provide technical assistance, capacity building, and supplies (equipment and materials) to upgrade and strengthen the existing paper-based system and introduce an electronic filing system.
• Support the HSS Unit in conducting a scoping exercise and propose a design for the adoption of an appropriate, sustainable, and fully electronic information management system that includes hospital-wide electronic medical records system.

Under the guidance and supervision of the HSS Specialist, the Consultant will closely work with the UNICEF Health & Nutrition Section and MOHS.

The Consultant is expected to:

Working with MOHS/UNICEF Health & Nutrition Section (60%),

• Support the development of data collection tools using EPI Info/Kobo or other electronic platforms for surveys/assessments required by Nutrition, EPI, RMNCH, Community Health and other programme units in UNICEF Health and Nutrition Section. Support the data collection process, interpretation of data and analysis of results using statistical techniques.
• Build, update and maintain a database of Health and Nutrition collected from various sources (Surveys such as MICS, DHS, NNS, DHIS2, mSupply and programme review) through building a repository bridging different data sources.
• Support Health units in geographic/spatial mapping for Health & Nutrition programme interventions, preparing infographics, data analytic flyers and visual dashboards using Power BI.
• Sustain the continued functioning of appropriate, effective, paper-based electronic filing systems and patient record management system and deliver improved access to all paper and electronic medical records within and across all departments of the hospitals plus monitor its progress within the hospital capacity.
• Build the capacity of the hospital monitoring and evaluation team on proper data recording and reporting and provide feedback to the technical team on the quality of reported data.
• Support the development and sustained use of a hospital information management dashboard.
• Provide technical support on capacity building for culture of data use for decision making at national. Support the national configuration of Scorecard, BNA, and action tracker, and other HIS apps to assist & facilitate effective skill transfer to MOH staff.
• Assist the assessment of the existing EMR in the country and support the development, pilot, and rollout of a sustainable point-of-care EMR system, ultimately supporting the integration of the EMR and the DHIS2.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• A university degree is required in Public Health, Social Science, Demography, Computer sciences, Geographic Information Systems, Statistics, Epidemiology, Health Education, or a relevant field.
• A minimum of two years of professional work experience is required.
• Professional work experience in a range of international public health programme areas, including health facility and hospital information systems strengthening.
• Strong computer skills and strong expertise in statistical analyses (familiarity with data processing and data analysis software, particularly SPSS and STATA).
• Advanced knowledge and experience in using MS Excel, MS Access, SQL, Python, and data visualization tools such ArcMap, Tableau/Power BI, ArcGIS/QGIS, ODK, Kobo Collect.
• Proven technical expertise of managing large and diverse datasets and integrating data from diverse sources that combine innovative and practical dimensions.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Strong understanding of result-based monitoring approach, understanding of the project cycle management.
• Experience in humanitarian and development work is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.