United States of America: Senior Health Information Systems Advisor

Global Health Fellows Program

Technical Advisor III/IV: Senior Health Information Systems (HIS) Advisor

Strategic Information, Evaluation and Informatics Division, Office of HIV/AIDS, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development

Location: Arlington, VA

Assignment: Two year fellowship

GHFP-II-P6-233

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with Global Health Corps, GlobeMed, Management Systems International and PYXERA Global. GHFP-II is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

GHFP-II’s goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID health programs by addressing the Agency’s immediate and emerging human capacity needs. The program seeks to accomplish this goal first through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels. These program participants include fellows, interns, corporate volunteers and Foreign Service National professionals. The program then provides substantial performance management and career development support to participants, including annual work planning assistance, and ensures that professional development opportunities are available.

Looking to the future, GHFP-II also seeks to establish a pool of highly-qualified global health professionals that will ensure the Agency’s ongoing technical leadership and effectiveness. This objective is supported by an extensive outreach program that brings global health opportunities and specialized career advice to a diverse range of interested individuals, with a particular focus on those underrepresented in the field of global health.

BACKGROUND:

The US Government (USG) has made the fight against HIV/AIDS a top priority, not only for humanitarian reasons but because the HIV/AIDS crisis threatens the prosperity, stability and development of nations around the world. USAID has been, and continues to be, at the forefront of the USG response in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic, funding 10 billion dollars in activities since inception of its international HIV/AIDS program in 1986 with programs in nearly 100 countries worldwide. The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is the largest commitment ever made by any nation for an international health initiative dedicated to a single disease. In July 2008, the United States Congress re-authorized the PEPFAR legislation in the amount of $48 billion, $35.4 billion of which is dedicated to HIV/AIDS services, $3.8 billion to tuberculosis, $4.8 billion to malaria, $1.7 billion to research and $2.3 billion to training health care workers. The Global Fund will receive at least $2 billion per year.

The Bureau for Global Health’s Office of HIV and AIDS (OHA) is the locus of technical leadership for HIV and AIDS programming implemented by USAID. The Office provides input into USG decisions concerning the strategic allocation of financial and human resources in the sector and supports USAID headquarters and field missions in designing and implementing effective HIV and AIDS programs. Within OHA, the Strategic Information, Evaluation, and Informatics (SIEI) Division provides technical and programmatic expertise to help the Agency develop and implement strategies and programs that respond to USG and USAID priorities, particularly in relation to innovations, best practices, and lessons learned in advancing the goals of PEPFAR. SIEI provides technical expertise and support to field missions in cross-cutting areas such as monitoring and evaluation, expenditure analysis, and health informatics.

Health information systems (HIS)/ Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) activities are a key component of PEPFAR Strategic Information (SI) programs. At the facility and community level, HIS assists health care workers in providing high quality and timely care. At the national, regional and Headquarters level, HIS assist public health managers in finding answers to key questions about the state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the delivery and process of prevention, care and treatment services, the effectiveness of these services, the capacity needed to improve programs, as well as to plan and report and reach goals impacting the epidemic.

Many countries lack robust health information systems and the related information and communications technology infrastructure (IT) needed to access and report high-quality data. Wherever possible, PEPFAR HIS activities build on existing data and information system standards and infrastructures in program countries. HIS activities target the design, development, implementation, operations, maintenance and evaluation information systems and technologies.

INTRODUCTION:

The Senior Health Information Systems Advisor (Senior Advisor) will be a member of the Health Informatics Team in the Strategic Information, Evaluation, and Informatics Division, Office of HIV/AIDS, Bureau for Global Health, USAID/Washington. Broad responsibilities will include providing technical leadership to USAID, interagency partners, Ministries of Health, and implementing partners in the design, development, improvement, and maintenance of information systems that strengthen health service quality, effectiveness, and efficiency. The Senior Advisor will provide both advisory and deep technical acumen, including hands-on health information system/information technology (HIS/IT) technical expertise, results-oriented analysis, strong software project management experience, clear communication skills, and close collaboration with a wide variety of stakeholders including USAID and other USG Headquarters personnel, vendors, host ministries, PEPFAR country teams, implementing partners, and other donors. The Health Informatics Branch Chief will provide technical guidance and serve as the onsite manager.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Senior HIS Advisor will be responsible for:

• Applying software project management principles and/or Strategic Information (SI) components to health IT-related projects in developing countries.
• Helping to define and enforce development methodology and processes, with a focus on moving towards more Agile processes.
• Providing technical input to systems integration and use of data management information systems, e.g., HMIS, District Health Information Systems (DHIS), Electronic Medical Records (EMR), Health Information Exchanges (HIE) and tools to facilitate data entry, transmission, and use.
• Ensuring a high level of communication and close working relationships with Missions and in country project teams, project implementers, and other key stakeholders operating in the health informatics arena. Ensuring lessons learned and best practices are communicated globally, across countries, partners, agencies and donors
• Providing HMIS technical assistance and capacity building to Missions for in country systems requirements, analysis, design, specifications, and oversight of project management, development, piloting/testing, implementation and evaluation.

LEVEL IV

An Advisor at the level IV will be further responsible for:

• Serving as a member of the interagency Health Information System (HIS)/M&E TWG, the newly formed USAID Health Informatics Council, and ad hoc digital health working groups.
• Providing leadership in the development and design of country HMIS/HIS plans and programs for USAID’s PEPFAR and HIV/AIDS HIS efforts.
• Serving as a coordinator and liaison with the ability to diplomatically leverage strategic partnerships for results.
• Preparing and submitting occasional job related papers to professional journals.
• Mentoring junior team members (both in the field and at HQ) and other staff on health informatics technical issues.

International and domestic travel approximately up to 50%.

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (7%)

• Keeping abreast of literature and latest developments in the fields of health informatics.
• Deepening knowledge of health information systems and strategic information development, implementation and evaluation.
• Participating in interagency and intra-agency working groups as appropriate to the scope of work.
• Participating in professional continuing education and skills training within the purview of GHFP-II.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree or higher in public health, health informatics, computer science, management information systems or a related social science field.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in federal information systems development such as the Federal Information Systems Management Act (FISMA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Clinger-Cohen, FedRamp, etc.
• Extensive knowledge of health information technology and public health IT standards including, semantic, exchange, privacy/security, etc. and applications, including EMRs, laboratory information systems (LIS), (DHIS), HIE, and others.
• Demonstrated experience managing the full software development life-cycle of mid- to large-sized projects (i.e. crossing multiple program areas and conflicting needs; requiring integration of multiple non-standardized applications or business processes; and requiring complex reporting and communication at the agency and executive level) with minimal supervision.
• Extensive knowledge and experience with applying general software development lifecycle (SDLC) and project management best practices methodologies, i.e. Agile, PRINCE2, RUP, etc.
• Proven experience with managing the development or sourcing of health information systems that are currently in use.
• Proven ability to oversee the design or modification of sophisticated computer applications to meet data collection and reporting requirements.
• Substantial knowledge and experience with common relational databases i.e. SQL, MySQL, Oracle, etc., and a good understanding of extracting, transferring and transforming data (ETL).
• Active user and proponent of Open Source solutions.
• Proven ability to develop rapport and effective working relationships with USG, host ministry, national and international working partners at all levels, local organizations, and other program partners.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is preferred.
• Excellent written and oral skills required.
• Ability to travel internationally.
• US Citizenship or US Permanent Residency required.

In addition to the above, the position requires the following at each level:

TECHNICAL ADVISOR III

• Minimum ten (10) years’ experience in health informatics or in software project management with experience designing, developing, implementing and maintaining health information systems in large-scale program activities, with at least three (3-5) years’ experience in an international or resource challenged setting.

TECHNICAL ADVISOR IV

• Minimum fifteen (15) years’ experience in health informatics or in software project management with experience designing, developing, implementing and maintaining health information systems in large-scale program activities, with at least five (5) years’ experience in an international or resource challenged setting.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary based on commensurate experience and earnings history. The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs.

TO APPLY:

All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP-II’s online recruitment system at https://www.ghfp.net/recruitment/, which allows you to store your CV, profile and bio data form in our database. A separate cover letter describing your qualifications and experience, interest and familiarity with issues relating to this position, and how this position relates to your career goals is required for each application. All online applications must be submitted by January 9, 2017 by 5:00 pm Eastern time.

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