Consultant for Interoperability Assessment

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), which was established in 194

• UNRWA's mission is to provide assistance and protection for Palestine refugees, ensuring their rights and improving their living conditions. The organization operates in five areas: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and Gaza, employing over 30,000 staff members. UNRWA is committed to delivering education, health care, social services, and emergency assistance to millions of Palestine refugees.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive technical assessment to evaluate the interoperability and integration of UNRWA's upcoming Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system with Jordan's national health information ecosystem. This role involves reviewing UNRWA's existing digital health architecture, analyzing national health information systems, and assessing applicable international digital health standards. The consultant will also provide technical inputs on legal and regulatory considerations related to data governance and information sharing. The position requires a thorough understanding of the health information landscape in Jordan and the ability to engage with various stakeholders to inform evidence-based recommendations. The consultant will utilize a mixed methodology, including document reviews, technical analyses, stakeholder consultations, and workshops, to achieve the objectives of the assignment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties and responsibilities include conducting a system landscape assessment by reviewing UNRWA’s current digital health system architecture and workflows, analyzing the proposed design of the upcoming EMR system, and documenting current reporting requirements to national health authorities. The consultant will also perform a host country HIS/HMIS analysis, assessing the national health information ecosystem in Jordan, identifying systems used by relevant stakeholders, and documenting system architecture, data standards, APIs, and interoperability capabilities. Additionally, the consultant will evaluate international digital health interoperability standards, data exchange mechanisms, and health information architecture compatibility. A legal and regulatory assessment will be conducted to provide technical inputs on data governance and compliance requirements. The consultant will identify technical, operational, and institutional risks, propose mitigation strategies, and prepare a costed implementation roadmap that includes a recommended interoperability model, phased implementation plan, resource requirements, institutional coordination mechanisms, budget estimates, and timelines.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master's Degree in Health Informatics, Public Health, Information Systems, Digital Health, Health Policy, Business Administration, Management, International Development, or a related discipline. Candidates must have a minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience, particularly in digital health systems or health information systems. Demonstrated experience in EMR implementation or interoperability projects is essential, along with experience working with government health systems or international organizations. Familiarity with Jordanian health systems, including key national platforms such as Hakeem and the Jordan Center for Disease Control, is crucial. Candidates should also have experience conducting technical feasibility studies and knowledge of health data standards and interoperability frameworks.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's Degree in a relevant field such as Health Informatics, Public Health, Information Systems, Digital Health, Health Policy, Business Administration, Management, International Development, or a related discipline. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of health information systems and their integration.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience in digital health systems or health information systems. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in EMR implementation or interoperability projects, as well as experience working with government health systems or international organizations. Familiarity with Jordanian health systems and the ability to collaborate effectively with legal departments on data governance and compliance requirements is also necessary. Experience conducting technical feasibility studies is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in both Arabic and English is required for this position, as these are the working languages of UNRWA. Proficiency in both languages is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for conducting assessments and consultations.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is based in UNRWA HQA Amman and is intended for local candidates. The selected candidate will receive a monthly remuneration of JOD 2,120.0

• The duration of the contract is for six months, with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The role works under the overall supervision of the Senior Project Manager (Health Info Sys) and requires close coordination with various teams, including the UNRWA Legal Office, Health Information Systems teams, and field health leadership in Jordan. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.