Job Vacancy @ World Health Organization (WHO) – Strategic Health Information Officer

Job Description

• Organization: WHO – World Health Organization
• Country: Sierra Leone
• City: Freetown
• Office: WHO Freetown

Closing date: Tuesday, 26 April 2022

General

Description of assignment title: Strategic Health Information Officer

Assignment country: Sierra Leone

Expected start date: 05/01/2022

Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health and well-being

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Duty stations: Freetown

Mission and objectives

The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution states its main objective as “the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health”.

Context

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.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Required experience

3 years of experience in 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;
•  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; The core competencies required of the candidates include: 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. Expected functional Skills and Knowledge: 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.

Area(s) of expertise

Administration, Business management, Health

Driving license

–

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in Information Management, health information, demography, biostatistics, or computer science.

•  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.

Living conditions and remarks

Sierra Leone is a unique country and Freetown is a unique (humanitarian) operation. 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.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

HOW TO APPLY:

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Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy