Digital Health Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. Established with a mission to promote the rights of every child, UNICEF is committed to providing support and resources to ensure that children can thrive. The organization is known for its dedication to child welfare and development, and it offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal growth to its employees. UNICEF fosters a culture of inclusivity and diversity, welcoming individuals from various backgrounds to contribute to its mission. The organization is proud of its attractive compensation and benefits package, which reflects its commitment to its staff and the communities it serves.

Job Overview:
The Digital Health Consultant position is a consultancy role that builds on UNICEF’s ongoing technical and financial support to the Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone. The consultant will be instrumental in advancing digital health priorities, which include conducting a national digital health landscape assessment, developing and launching the National Digital Health Roadmap, and establishing the Digital Health Coordination Unit. The role also involves providing continued support for Electronic Medical Records (EMR), District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2), Community Health Information Systems (CHIS/ComEMR), enhancing digital literacy, creating dashboards, ensuring data quality, and promoting routine data use. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders to ensure that digital health initiatives are effectively implemented and aligned with national health strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a range of duties, including but not limited to: conducting assessments of the current digital health landscape in Sierra Leone; developing a comprehensive National Digital Health Roadmap; establishing and supporting the Digital Health Coordination Unit; providing technical assistance for the implementation of EMR and DHIS2 systems; enhancing the capacity of health workers in digital health literacy; creating and maintaining dashboards for data visualization; ensuring the quality of health data collected; promoting the use of data for decision-making at all levels of the health system; engaging with stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations; and preparing detailed reports and documentation of activities and outcomes related to digital health initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Public Health, Health Informatics, Digital Health, Health Information Systems, Epidemiology, Information Systems, ICT for Development, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related field. A first university degree may be considered if the candidate has substantial relevant experience. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in digital health, health management information systems (HMIS/DHIS2), EMR, data systems, health systems strengthening, or public health program monitoring, particularly in low-resource settings. Candidates should also have a strong understanding of EMR standards, interoperability, data governance, and digital health coordination.

Educational Background:
Candidates are required to have an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Health Informatics, Digital Health, or related disciplines. A first university degree may be acceptable if accompanied by significant relevant experience. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively contribute to the digital health initiatives in Sierra Leone.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in areas related to digital health, health management information systems, electronic medical records, and public health program monitoring. This experience should ideally be gained in low-resource settings, demonstrating the candidate's ability to navigate challenges and implement effective solutions in such environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within UNICEF and with stakeholders. Additionally, knowledge of local languages spoken in Sierra Leone is considered an asset, as it can facilitate better engagement with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy role is expected to be full-time, with a focus on delivering results within a specified timeframe. UNICEF is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization adheres to a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct and is dedicated to safeguarding the rights of children. Selected candidates will undergo thorough background checks and must comply with UNICEF's standards and principles. The recruitment process does not involve any processing fees, and candidates are advised to submit their applications through the official UNICEF recruitment portal.