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Qualifications

Area of expertise   

International Consultant – WHE GER (Gender, Equity and Human Rights) & Data Management

Purpose of consultancy    

To provide support in Gender, Equity and Human Rights (GER) mainstreaming in health programming and transformation of the integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) reporting system for notifiable diseases through the DHIS2 in Timor-Leste.

Background  

Ensuring a robust surveillance system is essential for effective disease monitoring and outbreak investigation. In Timor-Leste, the Health Information System (TLHIS) utilizes the open-source District Health Information System (DHIS2) software to collect and manage health data, including notifiable diseases under the IDSR framework.

By prioritizing the transition from paper-based to computerized reporting using DHIS2, not only can the efficiency and quality of data collection and validation be enhanced, but it also opens avenues to address gender disparities in health emergencies. Gender roles and inequalities intersect with social and economic factors, resulting in differential exposure to health risks and unequal access to care and services during epidemics and pandemics.

Recognizing this, a gender mainstreaming strategy within the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) becomes critical. Such a strategy should be integrated across policies, strategies, operations, and capacity-building initiatives. By doing so, the specific needs, capacities, and priorities of women, girls, men, boys, and individuals with diverse gender identities can be identified and effectively addressed during public health emergencies. Thus, by strengthening the surveillance system and integrating gender considerations, we not only enhance our capacity to respond to infectious diseases but also ensure inclusivity, equity, and effectiveness in our health interventions.

Deliverables

Output1. Strengthening integration and mainstreaming of Gender, Equity and Human Rights (GER) within national health programming including the Health Emergencies

·         Deliverable 1: Develop awareness raising plan for GER mainstreaming and gender sensitive training for WHO Timor-Leste workforce.

·         Deliverable 2: Develop the training material for GER mainstreaming and awareness raising on gender sensitivity for WHO Timor-Leste workforce based on WHO guidelines.

·         Deliverable 3: Facilitate the training on GER mainstreaming and awareness raising on gender sensitivity.

·         Deliverable 4: Provide technical support on gender analysis in health programming to ensure GER mainstreaming in collaboration with other technical units.

·         Deliverable 5: Facilitate GER mainstreaming training for implementing partners in collaboration with other technical units.

·         Deliverable 6: Support the development of new proposals and coordination between involved partnes and parties. Ongoing throughout the consultancy period.

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  Output 2. Facilitate the transition process of the IDSR health information system from paper-based to web-based system to ensure DHIS2 as a primary surveillance data management tool.  

·         Deliverable 1: Review the IDSR data collection flow and reporting mechanism, focusing on improving user-friendliness and efficiency in reporting with close coordination with Ministry of Health (MoH).

·         Deliverable 2: Improve the customized dashboards for IDSR in DHIS2 to facilitate the monitoring diseases.

·         Deliverable 3: Develop tools for the basic analysis to utilize reported data using DHIS2 (e.g., epi-curves by sub-district) to guide the response.

·         Deliverable 4: Facilitate training sessions and capacity-building activities to improve proficiency of MoH officials including the frontline staff of community-health centers and health posts on DHIS2 and IDSR data analysis, visualization, and consolidation processes.

·         Deliverable 5: Facilitate in developing and publishing monthly Epi Bulletin or any relevant documents to include project reports, internal and external situation reports, etc.

·         Deliverable 6: Contribute to donor reporting and overall monitoring and evaluation during the project implementation period according to the project document and donor’s inquiries.

·         Deliverable 7: Review the weekly and monthly epidemiological reports from health facilities focusing on completeness, timeliness and quality, and verify data quality and identify gaps compared to the paper-based format.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:  

Essential: A university degree in public health, social science, or other relevant area.

Desirable: An advanced university degree (master’s degree) or equivalent in development studies with focus on women and gender.

Experience  

Essential:  Minimum 5 years’ relevant working experience in gender related (Gender mainstreaming, Gender-Based Violence, GER, etc) programme in development context, public health project/programme management, health surveillance data management, monitoring and evaluation, in development settings

Desirable:  Professional experience at UN/international development agencies preferred.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

·         Knowledge in Health Information System and DHIS2

·         Extensive knowledge in gender and public health issue in Timorese context

·         Ability to engage diverse actors and solicit, consolidate, and manage feedback.

·         Ability to work independently and deliver quality results against tight deadlines.

·         Proficient in MS Office and data analysis tools, software including a standard package of WHO office programs.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):

Essential: Expert knowledge of English with excellent communication and writing skills

Desirable: Basic local language (Tetun) will be an asset.

Location

On-site: Timor-Leste WHO Country office

Travel

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work. Local travel within the country, where needed, will be arranged by WHO Timor-Leste.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

a.    Remuneration:

Band level A – Monthly remuneration between USD 3,955 – USD 6,980, depending on the consultant’s experience and educational background.

b.    Living expenses: Per diem will be paid as per WHO rules applicable to international consultants for travel.

c.     Expected duration of contract: 11 months. Additional contracts (up to 22 months maximum) can be offered based on funding availability and satisfactory performance.

Additional information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. 
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. 
• A written test may be used as a form of screening. 
• If your candidature is retained for 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. 
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• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. 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 for WHO jobs. 
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