HIS Senior Advisor -- South Sudan

  • Mid-level, Full-time staff position
  • Posted on 12 August 2014
  • South Sudan
  • Closing on 7 September 2014

Job Description

Opportunity

The USAID-funded South Sudan Health Systems Strengthening Project (“HSSP”) facilitates the implementation of effective management systems and processes to increase the ownership and capacity of the State Ministries of Health and County Health Departments in the states of Western Equatoria and Central Equatoria to ensure the provision of high quality primary health care.

Under the supervision of the Chief of Party, the Technical Specialist 12 / Health Information Systems (HIS) Senior Advisor supports the County Health Departments (CHDs) and State Ministries of Health (SMOH) in strengthening and harmonizing their routine health information system and build capacity in quality collection, analysis, dissemination, and use of health information at the CHD and SMOH levels for program planning and management. In addition, the HIS Senior Advisor will assist the CHDs and SMOHs to promote collection of health data for services not currently captured in the national health information system.

Specific duties and responsibilities include the following:

  • Develops collaborative working relationships with the central Ministry of Health and with the SMOH and CHDs in both Western Equatoria and Central Equatoria states.
  • Determines the scope and priorities of the HIS activities in collaboration with the home office HIS technical team.
  • Works with stakeholders to develop routine health bulletins, rationalize indicators, convene key stakeholders and promote streamlined reporting.
  • Strengthens supportive supervision systems for ensuring high quality data at the state and county levels, the timely submission of data, and supporting use of data for decision-making.
  • Trains the SMOH and CHDs to use HIS data to track pharmaceutical and medical supply use and anticipate needs.
  • Trains the SMOH and CHDs to use HIS data in order to ensure priority health problems in local populations are appropriately identified and addressed systematically.
  • Supervises the development and implementation of the sustainability plan to institutionalize the HIS at the CHD and SMOH.
  • Identifies long-term HIS human resource needs and promotes the development of a staffing pipeline to support HIS needs of the SMOH and CHDs.
  • Supervises two HIS Officers and manages the budget of the HIS activities within the project.
  • Ensures data accuracy, security and legal and regulatory compliance with national and international regulations and laws.
  • Evaluates the technical components of contracts with consultants, HSSP technical staff and vendors of services and products related to HIS.

Qualifications

  • Masters Degree (minimum) in Public Health, Administration, Information Systems, Computer Science, or other relevant field.
  • Ten (10) years of demonstrated expertise with at least 3 years in the facilitation of health information system strengthening, including central level coordination and systems integration, and sub-national strengthening for quality collection, analysis, dissemination, and use of health information.
  • Previous experience working with the District Health Information System (DHIS) is highly desirable.
  • Experience in capacity building in the area of data management; understanding of the role of HIS in supporting program management, evaluation and planning.
  • Knowledge and past experience of working in a development setting (preferably in South Sudan and with USAID) is desirable.
  • Strong team and project management skills.
  • Excellent inter-personal, communication and organizational skills.
  • Fluent in English, with knowledge of other local South Sudanese languages a plus.
  • Experience working in South Sudan, Post-Conflict Countries or fragile state environments is highly desirable.

About the Organization

Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Associates is regularly ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms and one of the top 40 international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in more than 40 countries.

The International Health Division is committed to the improvement of health and healthcare delivery around the world. Serving both the public and private sectors, our efforts include health policy research and evaluation, health promotion and disease prevention, health finance, and health systems management. Our impact is felt in policies that ensure healthcare access for women, children, and individuals with special needs, in strengthening health infrastructures, and HIV/AIDS solutions.

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