SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF VANUATU PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM (VanPHIS2)

Purpose of the contract

The purpose of the consultancy is to support the Vanuatu Ministry of Health (MoH) with the expansion and development of the Vanuatu Public Health Information System (VanPHIS2) database, which utilises the District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) software. In particular, the consultancy will assist the MoH to integrate several stand-alone disease-specific information systems into the national VanPHIS2 platform, improve accessibility of information for end-users, and enhance the user-experience when using the system.

Background

In 2013, the Vanuatu Ministry of Health decided to establish a new electronic health information system utilising the District Health Information System v2.0 (DHIS2). Following some initial delays, the system became operational in late 2014. The new VanPHIS2 is now consistently providing health information for decision-making at all levels of the health system. As the system continues to develop, more disease programs are interested and encouraged to use the software to manage their data and take advantage of the software’s features. The reliability and robustness of the system also gives confidence and appeals to disease program managers who realise that integrating their databases into the national platform will deliver both sustainability and efficiencies to the health system.

The Ministry’s HIS unit has developed a roadmap outlining actions to strengthen the VanPHIS2 and take advantage of the features and tools of the DHIS2 platform over the next biennium (2018 – 2019). This will entail reconfiguring certain aspects of the database and creating new modules to accommodate the needs of disease programs who intend to integrate their systems. Although the Ministry’s internal capacity to maintain and modify the database is developing (with WHO support), it is expected to take at least five years to build these skills to an adequate level. The Ministry of Health therefore requires the technical assistance of an individual(s) or company with experience and expertise in using this software in order to achieve the objectives outlined in its roadmap.

Planned timelines

The individual or team will be required to deliver the following outputs over a twelve to fourteen month period up until 30 June 2019. (The contract will commence as soon as possible but will depend on internal administrative processes and the consultant’s availability).

Work to be performed

Method(s) to carry out the activity

Output/s

Work will be conducted during in-country missions (up to five) with additional support provided remotely.

Output 1: Working with the HIS unit, develop reporting tools within DHIS2 to improve the unit’s capacity to produce and disseminate information on a routine basis

Deliverable 1.1: Import HIS population data into DHIS2

Deliverable 1.2: Create population based indicators in DHIS2

Deliverable 1.3: Create standardized report templates to be generated on a routine basis

Deliverable 1.4: Configure “push-analysis” – reports sent directly to users via email

Output 2: Working with the HIS, revise and standardize data elements and indicators and review the layout of the forms within DHIS2 to provide a better user experience

Deliverable 2.1: Rename data elements to fit standard naming conventions

Deliverable 2.2: Revise all HIS data element groups to be more manageable

Deliverable 2.3: Revise all HIS indicator groups to be more manageable

Deliverable 2.4: Revise the layout/look/functionality of the HIS form in DHIS2

Deliverable 2.5: Implement method to track open/closed facilities

Output 3: Support the expansion of the Malaria module within DHIS2

Deliverable 3.1: Implement the elimination tracker program covering patient diagnosis, case investigation and foci investigation

Deliverable 3.2: Maintenance and refinement of existing event-based data module

Output 4: Assist the HIS unit with the configuration of new HIS forms and creation of data elements and indicators in DHIS2

Deliverable 4.1: Review revised paper-based forms and support the design and configuration of new forms and data elements/indicators within DHIS2

Deliverable 4.2: Support the HIS unit to test the use of the new forms on development server and assist installation on production server

Output 5: Support the HIS unit with the integration of key disease/program modules into the VanPHIS2 instance of DHIS2, potentially including NTDs, TB, EPI, RMNCAH and HR.

Deliverable 5.1: Where required, support the design and configuration of forms and data elements within DHIS2

Deliverable 5.2: Support the HIS unit to test modules on development server and install live on the production server

Output 6: Build the capacity of the Ministry of Health to use, manage, modify and maintain the VanPHIS2 database

Deliverable 6.1: Work closely with MoH development team on configurations outlined above to build local capacity for future developments

Deliverable 6.2: Provide one-on-one and team training on DHIS2 maintenance and development functions

Deliverable 6.3: Provide training for end-users on new modules and new configurations outlined above

Output 7: Provide ongoing support in country and remotely for other activities outlined in the DHIS2 development roadmap and ad hoc support as required

Technical Supervision and Support

The selected contractor will work on the supervision of:

Responsible officer:   Mr Michael Buttsworth, Technical Officer, Health Systems
Email: buttsworthm@who.int

Manager: Dr Jacob Kool, Vanuatu Country Office Manager
Email: koolj@who.int

Specific requirements

-      Qualifications required: Minimum tertiary qualifications in public health and/or information technology and/or health informatics, preferably Masters level

-      Experience required: At least 5 years’ experience in the design and maintenance of databases using the DHIS2 software. At least 5 years’ experience in health information systems, public health and database design. Experience working in Pacific Island countries is preferable.

-      Skills / Technical skills and knowledge: High-level technical skill in DHIS2 database design and maintenance. Knowledge of how health information flows through routine facility-based information systems.

-              Language requirements: Proficient in writing, speaking and listening in English. Knowledge of French and/or Bislama would be an advantage​​​​​​​

Competencies

• Must be able to provide ongoing support, training and capacity building to MOH and WHO in DHIS2 database development and maintenance.
• Must be: (1) a competent communicator; (2) capable of meeting deliverables on time; and (3) adaptable to  changing contexts.

Place of assignment

The consultant(s) or consulting company is expected to conduct up to five [5] missions to Port Vila, Vanuatu. Each mission will be for approximate one to two week duration. Additional days will be assigned for remote support.  

Timeline and duration of assignment

The consultancy will begin as soon as possible and will finish by 30 June 2019. A total of seventy-five [75] days will be assigned to carry out the work. This should consist of four to five [4-5] missions to Port Vila with each mission approximately five to ten [5-10] days’ duration.The remaining days will be used to provide support remotely.

Deliverable(s) to be submitted during and after the period of the assignment including manner of delivery and payment

• Countersigned contract
• Brief report outlining progress following each mission
• Final report detailing achievements against expected outputs including both in-country and remote support

Payments will be paid to the consultant’s or consulting company’s nominated bank account according to an agreed payment schedule. Payments will only occur following the review and acceptance of the submitted reports by the WHO Responsible Officer and after he/she is satisfied that the outputs have been delivered in accordance with the contract.

Contract type

The contract type is an Agreement for Performance of Work (APW). All travel arrangements for APWs are arranged by the consultant. The costs of travel are outlined in the budget proposal. It is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and to liaise with the WHO country office to arrange Government clearance/visas and support letters according to Vanuatu Government protocols.

Applications

Interested and qualified specialists, specialist teams or companies should submit their cover letter, CV(s) and proposal to Michael Buttsworth at buttsworthm@who.int by Monday 30 April 2018. All proposals should include a budget outlining professional fees (daily rates), travel/accommodation costs, and administrative fees/overheads.  Only the successful candidates will be contacted. Please use Tender Notice No 70553 as subject to all submissions.