Health Information Systems Advisor (HIS Advisor) job at USAID Uganda
About the Organization
The United States Agency for International Development is an independent agency of the United States government that is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance
Job Description
The United States Embassy in Kampala, Uganda has enjoyed diplomatic relations with Uganda for over 30 years. Ambassador Natalie E. Brown currently heads the U.S Mission to Uganda. The Mission is composed of several offices and organizations all working under the auspices of the Embassy and at the direction of the Ambassador.
Among the offices operating under the U.S Mission to Uganda are:
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Peace Corps
Job Summary: USAID/Uganda is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Personal Services Contractor (PSC) – Health Information Systems (HIS) Advisor.
The Office of Health and HIV/AIDS (OHH) is USAID/Uganda Mission’s largest technical office, with over $350 million/year in program funding, and a staffing of almost 72 professionals. At any one time, there are between 50 and 60 activities managed by the technical staff and teams of the OHH.
Accordingly, OHH is responsible for one of USAID’s largest and most complex bilateral assistance health programs. Currently, there are six technical teams in the Office: (1: HSS) the Health System Strengthening Team, (2: PMI) the President’s Malaria Initiative Team (3: HIV-TB) the HIV and TB Team, (4: FHT) the Family Health Team, (5: SI) the Strategic Information (SI) Team, and (6: GHS) the Global Health Security Team. The HIS Advisor is a member of the HSS Unit responsible for providing strategic leadership, technical and management expertise for HIS in Uganda. HIS activities are a key component of the OHH and are implemented within the Ugandan health system. At the national, regional, and district levels, HIS assists public health managers in finding answers to key questions about the state of health programming; the effectiveness of these services; and the capacity needed to improve programs, as well as to plan and report on improved health outcomes. At the facility and community level, HIS assists health care workers in providing high quality information needed for timely and quality care. The HIS Advisor ensures USAID OHH and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief interagency HIS activities are aligned to the Ministry of Health (MOH) Health Information and Digital Health Strategy, USAID’s Global Health Digitization Strategy, and USAID Uganda’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) 2.0.
The HIS Advisor provides both advisory and deep technical acumen, including hands-on health information system technical expertise, conducts results-oriented analysis, initiates, and supports communications and collaborate with a wide variety of stakeholders including the Government of Uganda (GOU), the USG inter-agency, Implementing Partners (IPs), community entities, private sector entities and other stakeholders. The Advisor occupies a high profile and important position in USG foreign assistance to Uganda and is expected to act in the best interest of USAID/Uganda, while being responsive to the needs and interests of the GOU and other key stakeholders.
Broad responsibilities of the HIS Advisor include providing technical guidance to USAID, USG interagency, and IPs in the design, development, improvement, and maintenance of digital and health information systems that strengthen health service quality, effectiveness, and efficiency. The HIS Advisor engages with key GOU ministries including the MOH, Local Government, Finance, Public Service, Information Communication Technology, Gender Labour and Social Development, and National Medical Stores; GOU Departments and Agencies including: National Information Technology Authority, National Identification and Registration Authority, Uganda Bureau of Statistics, and the Division of Health Information Management within the MOH. The HIS Advisor collaborates closely with USG colleagues to help leverage broader development opportunities with public and private stakeholders in a range of fields including energy, internet, power connectivity and economic development.
Duties and Responsibilities
Technical and Advisory Support (70 percent)
Within USAID and the USG Interagency space
Provide strategic leadership to the development and implementation of HIS activities within the OHH team using health informatics IT project management principles and/or strategic information components through an HSS approach.
Engage with the OHH sub-teams to develop recommendations for USAID support to ensure harmonized, cost-effective, and developmentally appropriate HIS activities.
Provide digital health and information systems technical assistance and capacity building to USAID Personal Services Contractor staff, IP staff and GOU staff, as needed, for unique country systems requirements, systems analysis, design, specifications, and support to project development, management, development, implementation, and evaluation.
Provide on-going support to USAID IPs in operationalizing HIS and digital health activities in line with the MOH Health Information and HIS/Digital Health Strategy and USAID digital health priorities.
Contribute to the mutual leveraging of USAID and other development partner programs beyond
health to catalyze solutions that will address the broader determinants of health outcomes.
Foster strategic partnerships and engagement between the health office and non-health offices within the Mission and externally to ensure HIS systems strengthening investments are implemented holistically.
At national level
Provide technical leadership for the HIS and digital health landscape in Uganda, with a focus on USAID-supported data management systems across a range of technical areas, including health statistics from routine data like the District Health Information System-2 (DHIS-2) and periodic surveys like the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), key health information and digital systems (e.g. eLMIS, HRIS, Uganda Electronic Medical Records (EMR), IFMIS for budgeting) to facilitate systems design, data collection, management and use.
Work with the MOH Division of Health Information Management and Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development to assist in defining the strategic direction of Digital Health Information initiatives, guidance on systems integration and interoperability for health information exchange and data use of data management information systems.
Strengthen the development of national capacities for the design, implementation, monitoring and reporting of quality and accuracy of data and information sources, including vital and health statistics.
Support the MOH and relevant MDAs to coordinate governance issues, data safety and protection requirements, share innovative HIS approaches from global initiatives and provide strategic leadership at key national technical working groups related to HIS.
Liaise with external technology leaders to stay current on technological advances, benefits and risks, best practices and support the development and implementation of digital health platforms consistent with regulatory expectations.
Serve as an expert advisor and liaison to varied stakeholders in the public and private sector with the ability to diplomatically leverage strategic partnerships for results.
Program Management – 30 percent
Provide program management support for activities awarded under the USAID health system and HIS portfolios, and provide advice to Agreement/Contracting Officer’s Representatives (A/CORs) and Government Agreement Technical Representatives (GATRs) on metrics for improving partner performance and assessing progress toward sustainable service delivery models. Key roles are:
Support the integration and application of state-of-the-art digital health systems theories, methods, and practices into the design of OHH activities, scopes of work, research and learning activities, monitoring and evaluation activities, training materials, technical guidelines, implementing tools.
Serve as A/COR or activity manager for designated awards as assigned.
Provide leadership for the implementation of the health information systems strategy to achieve specific health objectives.
Foster a high level of communication and close working relationships with USAID Uganda project teams, including A/CORs, GATRs, activity managers, project implementers, and other key stakeholders operating in the HIS arena in Uganda.
Provide advisory support on USAID IP HIS/IT procurements and/or SI components to HIS-related projects and oversee implementation of each IP contractor’s approved work plans and other project planning/monitoring requirements.
Monitor and evaluate USAID OHH mechanisms with HIS investments to ensure quality and standardization through conducting data quality reviews, field monitoring site visits, management reviews, external audits, and data validation.
Work closely with the MOH and USG interagency to ensure standardization of HIS investments and alignment to the MOH and USAID HIS/digitization strategies.
Qualification, Experiences and Competencies
A Master’s degree in public health, health informatics, information technology, computer science, management information systems, or another closely-related field is required.
Prior Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience managing HIS activities. The seven (7) years of experience must include experience in project management in the areas of designing, developing, implementing, and maintaining HIS in large-scale programs in developing or resource-poor settings activities, within the public and private sector.
Experience in managing the development or sourcing of state-of-the-art HIS that are used to improve health programs, performance monitoring, and planning.
Demonstrated experience working in complex working environments with multiple demands and engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including senior host government officials, the private sector, USAID or other development partners, and other USG agencies.
Technical Knowledge
Technical expertise in and knowledge of application of various digital health systems building blocks into national HIE health information exchange strategies, mobile health, and data collection applications.
Demonstrated knowledge of HIS using an enterprise architecture approach, management of national and population-based surveys and mobile data collection applications.
Familiarity with health data analytics, statistical and data visualization, and dashboards relevant to health program monitoring and reporting.
Knowledge of applying and utilizing HIS project management principles and/or SI components through an HSS approach.
Demonstrated ability to apply principles, practices, and theories in project management.
Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills
Demonstrated ability working collaboratively with senior managerial and technical host country counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders.
Ability to work effectively with a broad range of USG personnel and partners, and coordinate and collaborate with donors, IPs, GOU, and other external stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership and consensus building among large and diverse teams for complex projects.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a multicultural team environment to achieve overall goals and objectives. Ability to work effectively in a team environment as a team member, leader, or supervisor.
Demonstrated ability to navigate and manage politically and culturally sensitive issues in a diplomatic manager and bring divergent viewpoints on policy, project, research, and administrative matters.
Work creatively in a problem-solving environment demonstrating teamwork, innovation, and excellence.
Language, communication, and computer skills:
Fluent in written and spoken English (FSI Level 4).
Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely both orally and in writing.
Ability to facilitate meetings and make logical and persuasive oral presentations to senior officials and partners in a multicultural context.
Demonstrated ability to communicate ideas concisely and persuasively.
Demonstrated ability to effectively draft technical papers, reports, strategic program designs, or other written documents.
Ability to communicate technical information to technical and nontechnical audiences.
Excellent computer skills.
How to Apply
APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION MUST BE DONE ONLINE:
Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit:
A signed (hand or electronic signature) offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms.
Cover letter clearly indicating the position for which you are applying.
Curriculum vitae/resume specifically which MUST include:
(i) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year) and hours worked per week for each position;
–Dates (month/year) and locations for all international field experience must also be detailed;
–Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), location, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.
(ii) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.
(iii) Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s).
(iv) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job- related honors, awards, or accomplishments.
Supplemental [separate] document specifically addressing each QRF as outlined in the solicitation.
United States (U.S.) citizens and Resident Alien (currently resident in Uganda) must attach a copy of a valid work permit.
Offers should be in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). No other file types will be accepted. All documents should be scanned into one (1) document (one (1) ATTACHMENT) which should not exceed 10MB.
Documents should be arranged and scanned in this order:
(i) Signed (hand or electronic signature) offer form AID 309-2
(ii) Cover Letter
(iii) Completed Curriculum vitae/resume
(iv) Supplemental documents
(v) Valid work permit – if applicable
Submitted offers and documents become the property of USAID and will not be returned.
Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted by email to EXO and HR Specialist at: kampalausaidjobs@usaid.gov Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
No other form of submission will be permitted (e.g., courier, fax, or hand delivery). The US Government will not be responsible for incomplete/corrupted or missing information in electronic submissions and these applications may not be accepted. USAID will only confirm receipt and print out the electronic submission. USAID will not ensure quality or completeness of electronic files attached to the e-mails. The Offeror assumes all risk related to an electronic submission. Late offers or delayed electronic submissions will not be accepted.
Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.
For this position, the subject line of the email must read:
SOL NUMBER TITLE OF POSITION, LAST, FIRST CANDIDATE NAME EX. 72061724R00002 (0001) Health Information Systems Advisor, Smith Jose
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