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Qualifications
DIGITAL HEALTH STRATEGY REVIEW AND BLUEPRINT CONSULTANT
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME AND IMMEDIATE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
The Health System Strengthening Unit of the WHO country office assists the Zambian government in developing, implementing, and evaluating digital health strategies and interventions for the attainment of Universal Health Coverage and other health related targets for sustainable development goals. Aligned with the Global Strategy Digital Health Strategy (2020-2025) and the 2022-2026 National Health strategic Plan, the Ministry of Health is currently implementing the 2022-2026 Digital Health strategy of the country. The ultimate goal is to ensure universal access to high-quality health services and improve the impact of interventions through resilient health systems.
PURPOSE OF THIS POSITION
This position, within the ULC Cluster, supports the Zambian government in conducting Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the 2022-2026 Digital Health Strategy and development of a Digital Health Blueprint for Zambia. Additionally, the incumbent will conduct business process mapping and operational testing of an online WHO tool that will track digital health related technical support needs of the ministry of health of Zambia. In undertaking this role, the incumbent is expected to collaborate with the three levels of the WHO offices, government bodies, universities, NGOs, and other partners that are engaged in digital health initiatives in Zambia.
SUMMARY OF ASSIGNED DUTIES
· Conduct a thorough review of national documentation (policies, acts, strategic plans, roadmaps, implementation reports, prior evaluations, and relevant meeting minutes).
· Benchmark Zambia’s digital health interventions against global best practices, particularly from WHO and other international bodies.
· Collaborate with the MoH to organize interviews and focus group discussions at the national, provincial, and district levels, ensuring broad representation (e.g., government departments, regulatory bodies such as ZICTA, Smart Zambia Institute, implementing partners, NGOs, and private-sector actors).
· Coordinate interviews using a mix of physical and virtual platforms as relevant.
· Utilize both quantitative and qualitative methods (key informant interviews, surveys, observation checklists) to assess progress, challenges, and best practices.
·Analyze data following an agreed analytical framework (e.g., impact–outcome–output–process–input), which maps to the DHS’s Monitoring & Evaluation framework.
· Triangulate findings from multiple sources to validate key insights.
· Prepare and provide regular progress update to the MoH and the national digital health technical working group for feedback, review and revision
· Facilitate consultative and validation workshops to refine results and recommendations.
· Prepare progress (Inception, Preliminary and Final) reports of the MTR, landscape analysis and final document of the digital health blueprint, and business process mapping of an online digital health technical assistance tracking tool.
· In close coordination with MoH, facilitate an operational-planning workshop to adapt or adjust the remaining activities, targets, timelines, and resource allocations for 2025–2026 based on MTR findings.
· Present the updated operational plan for official endorsement and subsequent dissemination.
· Develop a national Digital Health Blueprint for the short, medium and long-term.
DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES
·Inception, preliminary and final Mid-Term Review report of the digital health strategy
·A national plan of action for operationalization of the digital health strategy for the remaining period in 2025-2026
· Landscape analysis, actional plan and final document of the Digital Health Blueprint
·Business process mapping and operational functionality report of the Online Digital Health Country Needs tracker.
· Technical plan and report of this consultancy work
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
Essential: A minimum of a university degree in Public Health, Health Informatics, Social Sciences, or a related field.
Desirable: An advanced university degree in any of the above fields is an asset
EXPERIENCE
Essential:
At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in digital health implementation, monitoring and evaluation, or health systems strengthening.
Demonstrated experience in successfully conducting mid-term or final evaluations of multi-stakeholder health or digital health programs.
Desirable:
Sound exposure to Zambia’s health sector context, digital health architecture, and the regulatory environment.
Proven track-record in engaging government agencies, development partners, and the private sector, fostering strong stakeholder collaboration.
COMPETENCIES REQUIRED
Technical expertise in public health or digital health
Teamwork
Effective communication skills
Producing results
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Proficient level in written and spoken English is essential.
CONSULTANCY DURATION AND WORK ARRANGEMENTS
● The consultancy is expected to span three (3) months.
● The consultant will work closely with the National Digital Health technical working group, MoH officials, and other stakeholders.
● In-country travel (particularly to provincial and district health offices) may be required for data collection and stakeholder consultations.
MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING
● The WHO country office and relevant cooperating partners may provide technical guidance, as needed.
● The consultant will provide weekly or biweekly progress updates to the designated MoH focal point person (e.g., M&E Assistant Director or Director of Policy and Planning), the national digital health technical working group, and the HSS unit of the WHO country office.
● Final deliverables will be subject to review and approval by MoH senior management, and the WHO Health System Strengthening Unit.
REMUNERATION AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE
● Payments will be disbursed in tranches: 25% at the beginning of the contract, and the remaining 75% will be paid upon submission and acceptance of the final MTR report, Digital Health Blueprint document and operational functionality report of the online Digital Health Country Needs Tracker tool.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
- In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO 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 through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
- According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
- The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
- The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
- An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
- WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
- WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
- The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
- This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
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- This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
- The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
- WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
- For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
- An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
- Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
- The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
- The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
- According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
- In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO 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 through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
- A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.