World Health Organization (WHO) Is Currently Hiring A Health Information Management Officer APPLY NOW

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. It was established on April 7, 1948, with the objective of promoting and coordinating global health efforts. The WHO operates in various areas such as disease prevention, surveillance, health system strengthening, and emergency response.

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About WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Its primary objective is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable populations. The WHO works towards achieving these goals by providing leadership on global health matters, setting norms and standards, and coordinating efforts among member states.

Here are some key points about the WHO:

1. Mandate: The WHO’s constitution, which was adopted in 1948, defines its primary role as the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health. It recognizes that health is a fundamental human right and that governments have a responsibility to ensure the health of their populations.
2. Membership: The WHO is composed of 194 member states, including nearly every recognized sovereign nation in the world. Member states work together to shape the organization’s policies, programs, and priorities.
3. Focus Areas: The WHO addresses a wide range of health issues, including communicable diseases (such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria), non-communicable diseases (such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases), mental health, maternal and child health, nutrition, emergency response, health systems strengthening, and environmental health.
4. Leadership and Guidance: The WHO provides leadership and guidance on global health matters. It develops evidence-based policies, guidelines, and strategies to address health challenges, and supports countries in implementing these approaches.
5. International Health Regulations (IHR): The WHO plays a crucial role in monitoring and responding to public health emergencies of international concern. It oversees the implementation of the International Health Regulations, which are a legally binding framework for countries to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats.
6. Partnerships: The WHO collaborates with a wide range of partners, including other UN agencies, international organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector. These partnerships strengthen collective efforts to improve health outcomes and address global health challenges.
7. Research and Innovation: The WHO promotes and supports health research and innovation. It coordinates global research efforts, facilitates the sharing of scientific knowledge, and works to ensure equitable access to new technologies and interventions.
8. Health Equity: The WHO emphasizes the importance of health equity and strives to reduce health disparities between and within countries. It advocates for universal health coverage, which aims to ensure that everyone has access to essential health services without financial hardship.
9. Technical Support and Capacity Building: The WHO provides technical support to member states, assisting them in strengthening their health systems, enhancing disease surveillance, building workforce capacity, and improving health infrastructure.
10. Communication and Information Sharing: The WHO serves as a central hub for health-related information and expertise. It disseminates accurate and timely information to member states, health professionals, and the public, enabling informed decision-making and promoting health literacy.

Why Work At WHO

Working at the World Health Organization (WHO) can be an appealing choice for individuals interested in global health and making a significant impact on the health and well-being of populations worldwide. Here are some reasons why people choose to work at the WHO:

1. Mission and Impact: The WHO’s mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. Working at the WHO allows individuals to contribute to this noble mission and make a tangible difference in public health on a global scale. It offers an opportunity to address pressing health challenges, improve health outcomes, and save lives.
2. Global Reach and Influence: The WHO operates in nearly every country, collaborating with governments, organizations, and individuals worldwide. This global reach provides a platform for professionals to engage with diverse cultures, contexts, and health systems. By working at the WHO, individuals can influence health policies, strategies, and guidelines that shape national and international responses to health issues.
3. Multidisciplinary Collaboration: The WHO brings together professionals from various disciplines, including medicine, public health, epidemiology, social sciences, policy, and more. This multidisciplinary environment fosters collaboration, learning, and the exchange of expertise. Working alongside experts from different backgrounds enables individuals to broaden their knowledge, skills, and perspectives.
4. Professional Development: The WHO offers opportunities for professional growth and development. It provides access to training, workshops, conferences, and resources that enhance technical skills, leadership abilities, and knowledge in specific health areas. The organization encourages continuous learning and supports career advancement through various programs and initiatives.
5. Emergency Response and Preparedness: The WHO plays a crucial role in responding to public health emergencies, such as disease outbreaks, pandemics, and humanitarian crises. Working at the WHO allows professionals to contribute to emergency response efforts, deploy to affected regions, coordinate interventions, and provide support to countries in need. This aspect of the work can be challenging but highly rewarding.
6. Networking and Partnerships: The WHO fosters partnerships with governments, NGOs, academia, and the private sector. Working at the WHO provides opportunities to collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders, build networks, and engage in joint initiatives. These partnerships facilitate knowledge exchange, resource mobilization, and collective action to address complex health challenges.
7. Exposure to Global Health Issues: The WHO deals with a wide range of health issues, including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, mental health, environmental health, and health systems strengthening. Working at the WHO exposes individuals to a broad spectrum of global health issues, allowing them to gain expertise in specific areas and contribute to comprehensive and integrated health approaches.
8. Travel and Field Work: Depending on the role, working at the WHO may involve travel to different countries and regions. This provides opportunities to experience diverse cultures, understand local health systems, and directly engage with communities. Field assignments allow professionals to witness the impact of their work firsthand and develop a deep understanding of on-the-ground realities.
9. Ethical and Inclusive Work Environment: The WHO upholds principles of equity, inclusivity, and ethical conduct. It values diversity and promotes a work environment that respects and appreciates different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. Working at the WHO offers the chance to be part of a diverse and inclusive workforce that upholds the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
10. Prestige and Recognition: The WHO is a well-known and respected international organization. Working at the WHO can enhance professional credibility and open doors to future career opportunities in public health, global health governance, academia, or other sectors. It provides individuals with a platform to contribute to shaping global health policies and strategies, gaining recognition for their expertise and contributions.

Health Information Management Officer

Grade: P4
Type of Contract: Fixed-term appointment
Duration of Contract: 2 Years
Job Posting: Apr 25, 2024, 10:55:26 AM
Closing Date: May 15, 2024, 11:59:00 PM
Primary Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Organization: AF_RWA Rwanda
Working Schedule: Full-time

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

The Health Information Management Officer will be responsible for the following tasks, as well as other related responsibilities as needed by the office, under the guidance of the Head of the WHO country office:

1. Guide national authorities: Provide guidance to national authorities in the development and implementation of legislative policies, frameworks, and strategic plans in health information systems (HIS). Collaborate with national partners to ensure alignment with global standards of data collection, management procedures, and reporting requirements.
2. Harmonize and strengthen standards: Identify and leverage opportunities to harmonize and strengthen standards and tools for improved data collection, analysis, and dissemination.
3. Coordinate technical collaboration: Ensure effective coordination of technical collaboration with other United Nations agencies, partners, and national stakeholders.
4. Strengthen priority areas: Identify priority areas for strengthening, including underlying data systems, data quality, data dissemination, and analytical capacity. Disseminate best practices and approaches to address related issues.
5. Enhance capacity and institutionalize health information systems: Guide the national capacity enhancement and institutionalization of health information systems. This includes health data and data-quality analysis and synthesis, ensuring the availability of robust systems for generation, storage, and transmission of key health data, and promoting their quality and availability in appropriate formats.
6. Promote the application of international classifications: Promote the national application of International Classifications related to facility and community certification, reporting of births, deaths, and cause of death according to WHO standards.
7. Use of data for decision-making: Promote the use of data for decision-making by developing, implementing, or enhancing a centralized, integrated, and publicly accessible data repository for storing and maintaining all national health data. Guide the promotion of policies that facilitate data access, production, and sharing of key information. Facilitate the promotion of new technologies, innovations, and best practices to improve the health information system in the country.
8. Engage with development partners: Strategically lead the proactive engagement with traditional and non-traditional development partners for collaboration and resource mobilization to strengthen national health information systems.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Essential: Advanced university degree (master’s level) in a relevant field such as epidemiology, biostatistics, or information science, with studies/training in public health.
• Desirable: PhD in epidemiology, biostatistics, or information science, with studies/training in public health.

Experience:

• Essential: A minimum of seven years of relevant work experience, including experience in developing and implementing health information and knowledge management systems, quantitative or qualitative health research, health systems, and epidemiological research. Some international experience is required. Demonstrated experience providing technical advice and services to Ministries of Health/Member States and other partners at the country and/or regional level.

Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in health information systems, quantitative and qualitative research, and knowledge of key sources of health data and approaches to dealing with data quality issues.
• Proficiency in health data collection, transmission, and storage, including design of data collection methods and use of digital data collection software (e.g., CSPro application, DHIS 2, electronic medical records systems). Proficiency in data analysis and synthesis using tools such as STATA, R, SPSS, SAS, and Excel.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to foster consensus and effectively communicate progress and results.
• Capacity to participate in resource mobilization activities, preferably in the context of capacity building and/or health systems.

WHO Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Language Skills:

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
• Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

APPLY NOW

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