Agreement for Performance of Work - Review of the Fijian HIS – CIS Strategy 2016–2020
- BACKGROUND
To support the Fiji National Strategic Plan 2016–2020, the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has set out a five-year health information system (HIS) – clinical information system (CIS) Strategy 2016–2020 to advance health and clinical information systems. This strategy was developed by the MHMS Health Information, Research, and Analysis (DHIRA) division with the support of the Fiji Health Sector Support Program (FHSSP). The current Health Information Policy was developed in 2011. Together, these two documents provide the foundation to promote and strengthen the use of information and communication technologies in the country’s health sector. In order to evaluate progress of its current strategy, MHMS has requested WHO to provide technical assistance to conduct a review of the HIS – CIS Strategy 2016–2020 and to provide recommendations and an action plan to help steer the current strategy until 2020.
- PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY
In collaboration with the WHO/DPS office and MHMS, the purpose of this contract is to review progress of the HIS – CIS Strategy 2016–2020, provide recommendations and a detailed action plan to realize the vision that was set for health information and digital health in Fiji. The review should assess realization of the set targets, make recommendations as necessary to meet recent ratifications, guide the MHMS to realign activities (and to rebalance if necessary) and ultimately, to ensure greater efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of digital health priorities. Moreover, the review of the HIS – CIS Strategy 2016–2020 should be designed to pave the way for a new digital health strategy that will, within available resources and capabilities, support the implementation of the new national health plan for 2021-2025.
Therefore, the main objectives for this consultancy are:
- To review the HIS – CIS Strategy 2016–2020 towards the realization of the set targets and recent commitments by the MHMS (e.g. Health related SDG targets with the future aspiration to develop a Digital Health strategy 2021 – 2025);
- To assess what has been achieved, and what has not been achieved and its impact; and including what needs to be achieved to fulfil the objectives of Government;
- To provide guidance and map a path for realignment to a Digital Health Strategy through a process of consultation with stakeholders, developing ‘do-able’ recommendations to set an implementation plan based on the findings from the evaluation and evidence.
- DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
The Contractor will perform the following tasks:
- Develop an implementation/work plan to carry out the tasks detailed in the scope of work in consultation with the Date Management Unit at the MHMS.
- Understand and assess the HIS-CIS strategy, including its selection of activities and priorities that have been implemented. This includes taking into consideration the value of information, innovation and evidence that is generated for decision-making, policy and other reasons.
- Desk review of the existing documentations, reviews, relevant research in developing countries and assessments related to MHMS’ HIS portfolio and digital health in Fiji.
- Assess the impact of HIS – CIS Strategy 2016–2020 to the health sector and its users/clients and the consequences to the operations of MHMS.
- Review the performance of the strategy to achieving (or not achieving) its planned deliverables and targets, including identifying factors facilitating or hindering the realization of planned activities including gap analysis of processes for improvement.
- Carry out a detailed situational analysis to establish whether priorities and activities of the HIS – CIS Strategy 2016–2020 are effective and efficiently aligned to the current MHMS operations and programmatic objectives.
- Provide recommendations in the form of detailed and time-bound implementation/action plan based on the review findings and assessment of relevant evidence based information.
- Assist MHMS focal points to organize a stakeholder or steering group for the purpose of providing (if required draft a TOR for the committee) direction and guidance to the consultant(s), including presentation for discussion of preliminary results and recommendations.
- Compile the inputs and feedbacks provided by the stakeholders and assess with MHMS focal points incorporate what is relevant into the review and action plan.
- Present the final version of the review and recommendations with practical solutions to major issues for validation in a workshop organized by the MHMS.
- METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY
The contractor/consultants will work closely with the MHMS focal points and stakeholders / steering committee to review the HIS – CIS Strategy 2016–2020, and co-develop the recommendations and corrective actions. The consultancy firm will develop a draft report, present it in a workshop to the stakeholders / steering committee and MHMS staffs, and compile the feedbacks received. The activities will be accomplished within three months.
- QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION: Minimum of Master’s degree in public health, health informatics, statistics, epidemiology, or related field.
Essential:
Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Health Informatics, Public Health or other related field
Desirable:
Master’s degree in Public Health, Information Technology or Business Administration
EXPERIENCE
Essential:
At least 7 years of working experience, including international work experience, in the design, development and management of public health, M&E, health information and clinical information systems (all components of Digital Health).
Demonstrated experience in the development of health information and/or digital health strategies and national plans.
Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement (e.g. leading or participating in workshops, interviews, etc.).
Desirable:
Experience working in Fiji and one or more Pacific islands or similar low-resource settings would be a strong asset.
TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
- Strong critical thinking and presentation skills
- Good skills and demonstrable experience in leading a diverse group of professionals across the health sector
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, including teamwork and facilitation
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated business analysis and process mapping skills
- Demonstrated experience in business analysis and enterprise architecture
- Extensive knowledge and demonstrated experience in project management for health information systems and digital health
- In-depth knowledge on external services provisioning arrangements
- Broad understanding of relevant technical concepts (e.g. networks, hardware infrastructure, common approaches to healthcare system integration, regulatory frameworks)
- Good understanding of the principles of privacy and security in IT systems and greater awareness of the confines of the IT and information regulatory systems of the country.
- Familiarity with industry standard approaches to and standards for the exchange of health information would be an asset
LANGUAGES
English
COMPETENCIES
- Communicating in a credible and effective way;
- Producing results in a timely manner;
- Moving forward in a changing environment; and
- Fostering integration and teamwork
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Duration of Contract: 65-70 days
Tentative payment schedule:
25% approved implementation/work plan by July 1st, 2019
25% draft review, by mid-July 2019
50% final report and recommendations, by mid-September, 2019
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 12 May 2019.
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. WPRO/2019-5/FIJ/TN89842/mom as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.