International Consultant - Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Strategy

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO has a mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. With over 7,000 employees and operations in more than 150 countries, WHO works to ensure that all people can attain the highest possible level of health. The organization focuses on various health issues, including disease prevention, health systems strengthening, and health information systems, among others.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be tasked with developing a comprehensive national Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) strategy and an implementation roadmap for Sri Lanka, engaging all relevant stakeholders throughout the process. The background of this consultancy highlights Sri Lanka's transition from a traditional paper-based civil registration system to a more modern digital approach, which aims to enhance the timeliness and quality of vital data. The consultant will play a crucial role in guiding this transformation by defining shared priorities across institutions, strengthening the quality and use of mortality and cause-of-death data, and ensuring that vital statistics effectively inform policy, planning, and public health decision-making. The strategy will cover the period from 2027 to 2031 and will be developed in collaboration with various national stakeholders, including the Ministry of Public Administration, the Registrar General’s Department, and the Ministry of Health.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's responsibilities will include conducting a thorough assessment of the existing CRVS system, analyzing business processes, and identifying performance bottlenecks. This will involve reviewing previous assessments and engaging key stakeholders to consolidate redesign ideas aimed at improving coordination between health and civil registration authorities. Additionally, the consultant will assess mortality and cause-of-death data systems, review medical certification processes, and identify gaps affecting data quality. The consultant will also evaluate digital CRVS systems for interoperability and functional requirements, conduct stakeholder consultations to prioritize areas for strengthening the CRVS system, and develop a national CRVS strategy and implementation roadmap. Finally, the consultant will present the draft strategy for validation and incorporate feedback for finalization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s level or higher) in Public Health, Epidemiology, Demography, Health Information Systems, Statistics, Population Studies, Health Policy, or a related field. Additional training or certification in Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS), health information systems, mortality statistics, or ICD coding is desirable. Essential qualifications include a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in public health, health information systems, CRVS, or related areas, with demonstrated experience in system strengthening and the development of national strategies or policies. Experience working with government institutions and international organizations is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree at the Master’s level or higher in relevant fields such as Public Health, Epidemiology, Demography, Health Information Systems, Statistics, Population Studies, or Health Policy. Additional certifications in CRVS or related areas are considered an asset.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in fields related to public health, health information systems, and civil registration and vital statistics. Candidates should have a proven track record in strengthening CRVS systems, working with mortality statistics, and contributing to the development of national strategies or action plans. Experience in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in the WHO South-East Asia Region, is desirable.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is essential for this position. There are no additional language requirements specified, making English the primary language for communication and documentation.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based, with the consultant expected to work remotely while traveling to Sri Lanka as needed for stakeholder consultations and validation workshops. The remuneration for this position is set at USD 500 per day, with living expenses of USD 144 per day during travel. The WHO emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. Candidates must adhere to WHO's ethical standards and may be subject to background verification. The organization maintains a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or tobacco users.