International Short-Term Consultant for the Surveillance and information management (Coordinator)

BACKGROUND

The Ministry of Health (MOH) in Lao People’s Democratic Republic has made substantial progress in strengthening surveillance capacities to manage health security threats through DHIS2.  They have requested WHO Country Office to provide continuous support to continue to improve and expand surveillance through the DHIS2 platform.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

To provide technical support to Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) Ministry of Health (MoH) in strengthening surveillance and information management for infectious diseases and other public health hazards.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output 1: Strengthening of indicator-based surveillance (IBS) systems in Lao PDR

• Deliverable 1.1: Monitoring reports on quality indicators for IBS;
• Deliverable 1.2: Reports related to integration of influenza and Covid-19 surveillance; and
• Deliverable 1.3:  Proposals and training materials to strengthen Covid-19 surveillance and to increase use of DHIS-2 Covid-19 tracker.

Output 2: Mapping of data management at NCLE

• Deliverable 2.1: Report on information management systems at NCLE; and
• Deliverable 2.2: Strategy on integration of laboratory and epidemiology data to support decision making

Output 3: Strengthening information management of event-based surveillance (EBS) system in Lao PDR  

• Deliverable 3.1: DHIS-2 data collection forms and dashboard for EBS systems in Lao PDR

Output 4: Technical reports

• Deliverable 4.1: Timely submission of the technical report of WHO supported activities.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Under the guidance of the WHO CO (WHO Country Office) WHO Health Emergencies (WHE)  Team Leader, they will closely work with the central government, particularly the MoH, the National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE) and provincial health offices to strengthen surveillance and information management in the country. The consultant will work closely with the WHO Health Information Systems unit in WHO CO as part of the expansion of DHIS2 for notifiable diseases in addition to the efforts to use DHIS2 for an all-hazards approach to surveillance in Lao PDR. The consultant is expected to exercise initiative as well as sound judgment in the application of policies, guidelines and programme objectives of the Organization and partner agencies as required and relevant. Key activities include;

1. Support NCLE in improving the quality of notifiable disease surveillance data and reporting through DHIS2
2. Support NCLE in conducting a review of the notifiable disease surveillance system using DHIS-2 and identify next steps to improve the system.
3. Map the existing data management systems (epidemiology and laboratory) used at NCLE and identify ways to streamline data and improve efficiencies.
4. Support DCDC and NCLE in the implementation and strengthening of the EBS system framework using DHIS2
5. Support NCLE to improve the DHIS2 Covid-19 tracker
6. Support the integration of sentinel site surveillance into DHIS2 including for influenza and dengue
7. Support the information systems working group as part of the public health emergency operations centre (PHEOC) work
8. Perform other duties as required by the WHE team leader and technical officer (epidemiologist)

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  

University degree in public health, information technology, statistics with computer programming or related area

Desirable:

Postgraduate degree in public health, epidemiology, health systems or a related field is desirable.

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• • Work experience of least 4 years in working with and implementing national public health surveillance systems.
• • Minimum two-year experience in application of DHIS2, especially database management.

Desirable:

• • Work experience in information management for notifiable diseases.
• • Experience working with the Ministry of Health, Lao PDR.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• • Ability to establish and work harmonious working relationships as part of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.    
• • Ability to work and interact effectively with national counterparts, non-governmental organizations and international agencies at various levels.
• • Ability to work independently under pressure and to deliver high-quality work on-time.
• • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• • Good oral and written communication skills.
• • Good computer skills on using Microsoft Word, Excel, PPT.

LANGUAGES

Fluent in English (reading, writing and spoken).

COMPETENCIES

• • Technical Expertise 
• • Producing results
• • Communication

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Duration of contract: 3 August 2021– 31 March 2022 (with possibility for extension)

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 18 June 2021 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 130166 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.