Digital Health Officer (UNICEF Vietnam)

Please click the below link for further information about UNICEF Vietnam. https://www.unicef.org/vietnam/

For every child, an inspiration...

Digital technologies and improved data capacity are important catalysts for accelerating achievement of the 2030 SDG3 targets. Actionable and relevant data are the foundation to monitor progress toward SDG 2030, while harmonized digital systems optimize the health system to deliver in a coordinated manner, quality, coverage, and equity of health services. Digital systems can catalyze a necessary transformation in the health system - addressing ongoing data gaps and persistent health system challenges, facilitating a more resilient, person-centered, and responsive health system.

Digital innovations at community and primary health facility level can be useful for strengthening the linkages with, and use of, formal health services, while also supporting the institutionalization and strengthening of the community health system as a whole. The term "digital health", which includes both mHealth and eHealth, describes the general use of information and communication technologies (digital, mobile and wireless) to support the achievement of health objectives. Some successful examples include stock management tracking, electronic decision support tools for health workers, health worker communication and performance feedback, targeted messages and service delivery to clients, citizen-based reporting for increased accountability, and data storage, aggregation, and visualization do drive action/response.

The government of Viet Nam has approved an all-encompassing digital government strategy which also includes the healthcare sector. This strategy sets out a vision to be completed by 2030 and it showcases the strong commitment of the government to digitize all aspects of it. The MOH has set out targets to digitize the healthcare sector from 2019-2025, including gradually build a smart health-care and prevention system, using electronic medical records and electronic payments, and strengthening the application of information technology in health management.

There are thirty-five digital health implementations currently being used in Viet Nam. Fifteen are implemented at the national level and the other twenty are implemented at the subnational level. Many of the tools have been developed specially for their use in Viet Nam and four of them (DHIS2, OpenELIS, OpenLMIS, and ODK) are considered global digital public goods.

As a trusted, long-term partner of the Government in Viet Nam, UNICEF is committed to providing support for MOH to further strengthen the health information and management systems with a focus on collection and reporting of related maternal and child health (MCH) data and information though digitalization of the current paper-based MCH information systems and improvement in functionality and interoperability of existing digital health systems on MCH such as the health statistic software, the MCH digital book, and the national immunization information system (NISS).

For planning and implementation of UNICEF’s support for digitalization of MCH and immunization data collection and reporting and interoperability, UNICEF Viet Nam is looking for a passionate and qualified candidate for the post of Digital Health Officer at NO-2 level for a period of 364 days with possible extension based on performance, programme need and availability of funds.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this role is to provide Digital Health support to health programming in the Health Programme of Viet Nam Country Office. Under the guidance of the supervisor, the incumbent of this post is accountable for programme planning, design, implementation and administration of relevant digital health system strengthening programme within UNICEF’s Approach to Digital Health. The Digital Health function assists programme teams in the identification, assessment and integration of digital tools and digital innovation into UNICEF health programming; strengthening internal capacity to lead and support digital health related initiatives; identifying and engaging with key partners; building business relationships; applying reusable and replicable technical buildings blocks; and maximizing the potential for the scale-up and sustainability of technology and digital innovation for UNICEF health programming.

The Digital Health Officer will work cross-sectorally with an emphasis on providing recommendations and strategies to ensure integration of digital transformation and technology innovation into health programming and aim to build the capacity and knowledge within the health section on digital transformation, when appropriate train UNICEF staff, partners, government counterparts and other end users in creating and maintaining high quality digital health systems.

In specifics, this post will provide technical support in the implementation of a maternal and child health (MCH) digital health project under the current progamme of cooperation between UNICEF and MOH Viet Nam. Under the direct supervision of the MCH Specialist and in collaboration and with support from relevant experts from UNICEF Regional Office, the incumbent will support the planning, monitoring and reporting on implementation of MCH digital health activities. She/he will also provide support throughout to the health component in planning and implementation and monitoring of related health interventions.  

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. The UNICEF core competencies required for this post are:

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

Life at UNICEF

• Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding. With attractive remuneration package encompassing competitive pay and benefits, a culture that helps staff thrive and diverse opportunities for personal and professional development, we aim to help you maintain a fulfilling life both at and outside the office.
• We make sure you and your loved ones receive the resources and care that you need to thrive. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. Our contracts, wellbeing policies and initiatives ensure that you are well equipped to effectively deliver for children such as;
• Tax exemption, family allowances, hardship benefits, 10 UN holidays and annual leave allowance, maternity, paternity, adoption leave, medical and dental insurance, pension etc.
• Pension benefits: You will become a participant in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (https://www.unjspf.org).
• Health insurance scheme: You and your eligible dependents will be covered by the UN Medical Insurance Plan (https://www.un.org/insurance/plans/medical-insurance-plan-mip).
• Career support, staff wellbeing programme, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, family support, policies & initiatives, security, reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
• Professional Development: The encouragement of professional development for all staff is one of UNICEF’s core values and we put this into practice through various services and initiatives. You will have different learning opportunities to strengthen your skills and competencies.
• Be part of the United Nations: As an International organization that is part of the United Nations system, you will be considered an International Civil Servant and you will have career opportunities inside and outside the country.

Quality working conditions:

• The workplace and working conditions are a huge asset for all UNICEF employees. Our staff are working in the Green One UN House- the first building in Viet Nam to be awarded gold LOTUS certification from the Viet Nam Green Building Council for efficient and environmentally sustainable use of resources and operations.
• UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
• UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

How to apply

Qualified candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents to the assigned requisition in UNICEF Vacancies: https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/

1. Letter of Interest
2. CV

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

This position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.

Remarks:

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.? Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
• https://vietnam.un.org/en/86207-announcement-time-hire-un-agencies-viet-nam-national-positions