Call for consultant to support use of Digital Implementation Investment Guide (DIIG) within country contexts

Terms of reference: Provision of technical assistance for testing, mainstreaming, and supporting use of Digital Implementation Investment Guide (DIIG) within country contexts

Background

WHO, in collaboration with PATH, UNICEF, and UNFPA, launched the Digital Implementation Investment Guide (DIIG) as an operational guidance to facilitate a systematic process for countries to develop a costed implementation plan for digital health within one or more health programme areas. Drawing on guidance from the WHO guideline–recommended digital health interventions, the DIIG directs users to ensure investments are needs-based and contribute effective and interoperable systems aligned with national digital architecture, country readiness, health system and policy goals. You may access the DIIG here.

The World Health Organization (WHO) seeks to contract individuals to provide technical support for testing and mainstreaming of the Digital Implementation Investment Guide (DIIG). Successful candidates will have experience in the planning and implementation of digital systems, including health information systems, and significant experience working at country level with a range of stakeholders. These terms of reference may be used to contract a pool of consultants that can help build a “trainer of trainers” (ToT) approach for the country adaptation, implementation, and refinement of this resource.

Requirements—Work to be performed:

1. Technical and operational support related to the testing and mainstreaming of the DIIG:
   • Develop simplified versions of the DIIG that can be used to support mainstreaming and uptake of the DIIG
   • Develop a training package that includes materials for the dissemination and orientation of concepts within the DIIG
   • Develop and conduct disseminations and orientations to the DIIG at global, regional and national level
   • Provide structured feedback based on key learnings from testing /implementation of the DIIG to inform future iterations
2. Support to countries that are Gavi eligible[1], in planning, coordinating and implementing digital health investments related to health programs in immunizations and sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child health, as well as broader efforts for health system strengthening.
   • Contribute to country governance mechanisms and other formalized structures for convening stakeholders across health programme areas, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), Health information systems (HIS), and digital health, as applicable
   • Facilitate the development of costed implementation plans for countries based on a systematic process that leverages concepts from the DIIG
   • Support south to south learning and collaboration among users of the DIIG, including conducting peer-exchange workshops across different countries

Qualifications and Experience

Education: Advanced degree (Master’s level) in public health, ICT, data science, health information systems, international development or related field.

Experience and competencies:

• Minimum of 5 years of increasingly responsible professional experience, especially in the fields of digital health, health information systems, programme management;
• Experience working at the national level for convening stakeholders and governance mechanisms, translating policies into action, adapting and implementing digital systems for health system strengthening and addressing programme needs
• Experience with implementation and country-level support on digital health, data and health information systems, including the appropriate and ethical use of technology for development, as well as with emerging or frontier technologies
• Familiarity with the general content of the DIIG, as well as other digital health resources developed by WHO and global/regional bodies
• Work independently and coordinate collation of information from multiple stakeholders.
• Good network within country and ability to work across different contexts
• Field experience in direct implementations of digital health systems a strong asset

Languages:

Fluency in English; knowledge of French and another official UN languages is desirable.

Timeline:

10 months, with start date in late-January 2021

Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded):

Remuneration will be based on level of educational qualifications and experience, in accordance with the WHO remuneration scales for consultants. Costs for convening meetings and travel will be expensed separately based on activity budgets agreed to by WHO, the consultant and relevant stakeholders.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit a letter of motivation and a curriculum vitae. Please submit applications by email to diigsupport@who.int indicating “Consultant application: TA for DIIG” in the subject line.

The closing date for applications is 22 January 2021. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

Additional information:

Regular video calls and meetings during regular office hours will be necessary. The consultant may be required to travel depending on the evolving situation regarding travel restrictions related to COVID-19.

Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant. WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contribution payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in the location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.