STC on health information system (WHO)

VN040 - Job Title: to provide technical assistance in the areas of health information system to support the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Team of the WHO Representative Office in Viet Nam.

1. Background:

[Information provided herewith should be general to people outside of WHO to understand, must not contain internal information]

Over the past decade, the Government of Viet Nam has worked to improve the management and quality of the state statistics system, including health information system. In 2021 WHO supported the Ministry of Health in the review of the 2014-2020 comprehensive plan for health information system development in Viet Nam. The results of the review highlighted several challenges in implementing the plan, including limited human resource capacities, the need to have strengthened policies and governance on the coordination and sharing of information within and across Ministries; need for clear roles, responsibilities, and regulation on data use, sharing, and use; fragmented information and reporting systems with low interoperability; and lack of quality statistics in terms of completeness, timeliness, and relevance.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Health recently approved Decision 828/WD-BYT (2022) on the development of a platform for health system operations, including having timely information for monitoring health system performance and outbreak situation, and for decision-making. As focal point for the platform, the Cabinet Office of MOH has requested WHO’s technical support to the design of the platform, including finalization of core indicators.

In addition, based on Prime Minister’s Decision 643/QD-TTg (2017) and Decision 1/QD-TTg (2019) regarding the management of the quality of state statistics until 2030, all statistical agencies including the Ministry of Health are required to conduct self-assessment of the statistical quality annually from 2020 onwards. The Ministry of Health has requested WHO to provide technical assistance to its data quality review study in collaboration with the World Bank and other partners. The Ministry of Health also aims to strengthen the civil registration and vital statistics system and, in particular, strengthen the collection, analyses, and use of mortality and cause of death data, including those deaths that occur outside of the health facility. In Viet Nam, it has been estimated that nearly 80% of the deaths are outside of the health facility. The Ministry of Health has requested technical support from WHO with the implementation of the WHO verbal autopsy tool with piloting in selected localities.

2. Work to be performed

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date: 15 October 2022
End date: 31 March 2023
The expected timeline for the full-time consultancy.

Method(s) to carry out the activity

Under the direct supervision of the UHC Team Coordinator, the incumbent will carry out the given activities.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Technical support to health information systems design and specific areas indicated above
Coordination and facilitation of support to the government in health information systems
Coordination across public health programmes and integrated approach to health information system development
Perform other related duties as needed.

Output/s

Output 1: Developed health information platform and dashboard design, including monitoring and evaluation framework, in collaboration with Ministry of Health’s Cabinet Office, Department of Planning and Finance, and Electronic Health Administration

Deliverable 1.1: Summary report on health information platform and dashboard design with core indicators (30 November 2022)

Output 2: Completed data quality assessment study for key health statistics in collaboration with Ministry of Health, the World Bank, and other partners; and upgraded DHIS2 platform to accommodate key health statistics tailored to Viet Nam’s context in collaboration with DHIS2 contracting partner

Deliverable 2.1: Summary report on data quality review roadmap, including mapping of all data sources and flows, and recommendations on next steps (30 October 2022)
Deliverable 2.2: Summary report on upgraded DHSI2 platform and integration of information systems of public health programmes (30 December 2022)

Output 3: Strengthened civil registration and vital statistics system, including collection, analyses, and use of mortality and cause of death data (including deaths outside health facilities)

Deliverable 3.1: Summary report on piloting of the verbal autopsy tool and recommendations (30 January 2023)
Deliverable 3.2: Summary report on civil registration and vital statistics system roadmap (28 February 2023)

Output 4: Strengthened civil registration and vital statistics system, including collection, analyses, and use of mortality and cause of death data (including deaths outside health facilities)

Deliverable 4.1: Summary report on process and necessary changes to unify and standardise the hospital clinical coding system (31 March 2023)

Note: Due to COVID-19, the work and deliverables are subject to change. The incumbent needs to be flexible to adjust to any unforeseen adjustments that might occur during the implementation.

3. Specific requirements

Qualifications required:

Essential: Undergraduate degree in relevant areas including public health, public policy, statistics, epidemiology, social science, or related field from a recognised university
Desirable: Master’s degree in relevant areas including public health, public policy, statistics, epidemiology, social science, or related field from a recognised university

Experience required:

Essential: At least 5 years of experience in relevant areas including in health information systems, such as health information systems design and architecture, monitoring and evaluation, or health system performance measurement
Desirables: Prior experience of working with the Government of Viet Nam or in the Western Pacific Region on health information systems development will be considered an advantage

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Strong analytical and communication skills
Ability to write, analyze quantitative data and build conceptual models
Knowledge of the health system in Viet Nam desirable.
Specific technical knowledge with development of health information platform, data quality review, or CRVS systems considered an asset.
Excellent written communication skills, including proven ability to write clear and concise documents, including reports, submissions and briefing documents
Proficiency with MS Office Suite, with excellent MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills

Language requirements:

Expert written and spoken English

5. Place of assignment

On site: Viet Nam Country Office, at 304 Kim Ma Street, Hanoi.

6. Medical clearance: A fitness to work clearance is needed.

7. Travel: Duty travel within Viet Nam may be conducted.

8. Budget

Please take note of the following when submitting application:

The contractor will be responsible for paying taxes, if any.

Those who are interested can submit your most updated CV and application letter indicating post title and vacancy notice # on/or 11 October 2022 and should be addressed to: