Senior Program Officer – Health Systems IT and Data Governance

Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too.

We have a unique and vibrant culture at R4D. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our work environment and help advance our mission. Diversity—of ideas, identities, perspectives and backgrounds—is vital to who we are and what we do. We seek people who embrace these values and will help reinforce them. Our work culture is collaborative, creative and entrepreneurial. We operate based on trust and respect. Teams across the organization frequently collaborate on programmatic work and support each other in continuously building a better R4D.

Opportunity:

The Health Systems Strengthening Accelerator focuses on strengthening countries’ capacity to drive health systems to change in a sustainable and institutionalized manner while helping them tackle specific systems issues that hinder progress toward improved health outcomes. In addition to R4D, the Accelerator consortium includes the Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation (HSDF), ICF and a growing number of local and regional organizations. More information about the Accelerator can be found at: https://www.acceleratehss.org/.R4D seeks a Senior Program Officer with expertise in IT and data systems management to provide strategic and technical leadership to a growing portfolio of work supporting IT and data management within the Accelerator Program. COVID-19 highlighted the importance of IT and strategic data generation, governance and management for decision making and acting at all levels of care to build responsive and resilient health systems to ensure access to quality / universal health care at all levels. The Senior Program Officer will work closely on and support the Accelerator’s portfolio of activities related to IT systems, data systems governance, data integration, and interoperability within countries’ health sectors, including an initial focus in Ghana.

A successful candidate will have strong leadership, program management, and stakeholder management skills, as well as a technical background in health systems strengthening and data systems for health. S/he should also be highly motivated, a creative problem solver; have strong analytical, communication, process facilitation, and collaboration skills; work harmoniously within teams; and have a commitment to excellence and producing results.

The position is based in Washington, DC, with expected international travel of approximately 8-10 weeks per year, and reports to the Senior Program Director.

Responsibilities:

The Senior Program Officer will be required to support:

• Development of health sector Health Information Systems Strategic Plans (HISSP), including policies and guidelines for data sharing, access, and ownership by partners.
• Integration and interoperability of all systems within the countries’ national database
• Development of a nationwide health facility and health provider map
• Development of a health sector master dashboard
• Provide technical and operational support to select activities under the HSS Accelerator
• Proactively identify and work with Accelerator teams to resolve programmatic and technical issues related to IT and data management.

Technical support

Developing processes

• Apply knowledge of the broad principles of computer science, and information sciences to enable effective public health research, surveillance, response, routine health sector data collection, and evaluation that will support the best decision-making for partners
• Work closely with partners to support the Ministry of Health (MoH) to strengthen intersectoral, multi-stakeholder process to harmonize governance structures and eventually systems-level integration of health databases within countries
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to discuss, develop, and review proposals and documentation on research, assessment of health data systems governance and integration plans
• Support the design of National Health Information System Strategic Plans.
• Advise and develop solutions that serve country’s efforts to improve their data and technology infrastructure.
• Review procedures and provide necessary advice on the organization of data, including assisting with database creation, developing data entry procedures, and preparing preliminary documentation.
• Provide strategic, technical, and operational support for the execution of IT systems and data integration and generation activities.
• Review the health sector data and e-health strategies and make recommendations for improvement and further progress

Building data systems and data analysis

• Provide in-depth statistical analysis to support data outcome measures and projections by generating reports, graphs, and narrative evaluations
• Create visualizations to present the relevant work of the Accelerator Program graphically and in a visually appealing manner
• Contribute to quantitative and qualitative data collection and apply quantitative and qualitative methods and techniques to manage, analyze and present research data
• Translate complex data analysis concepts and requirements into clear, digestible, and useable information
• Extract, clean, manipulate, organize, and analyze data using Excel and other platforms

Partner engagement

• Manage relationships and communications with key internal and external partners, in relation to IT and data management
• Represent the HSS Accelerator at health national and global policy forums as designated Senior Program Director.

Team Building and Teamwork

• Participate in, and when necessary, lead the Accelerator’s teambuilding, strategy development and other activities that advance overall mission of the R4D.
• Work closely with the Accelerator team to support partners Ministry of Health (MoH) to initiate an intersectoral, multi-stakeholder process to harmonize governance structures and eventually systems-level integration of databases of public and private health sectors
• Lead development of key knowledge materials including analytical and communication materials (e.g., technical tools, workshop reports, operational guidelines etc.) in collaboration with other team members.
• Review and provide constructive feedback to work products developed by other team members and consultants within select activities.
• Provide coaching and mentoring for team members to enhance their performance.

Program management and coordination

• Draft, compile, and edit assigned portions of project reports.
• Attend and participate in regular check-ins and meetings with the Accelerator team, funders, and external stakeholders.
• Support dialogue and correspondence with government stakeholders and funders when required.
• Monitor progress of Accelerator activities related to IT systems and data integration and generation, highlighting potential risks or malfunctions and act proactively to resolve issues.
• Work closely with Accelerator Program Director to plan, coordinate and execute virtual and in-person meetings, including reviewing and approving meeting agendas, and ensuring the availability of personnel.
• Participates fully as a member of R4D by contributing, assisting and participating in projects, activities, and initiatives as requested by management

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of relevant professional experience on issues related to Information Technology and data analytics in health systems strengthening at country and international levels.
• Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant field (public health, health economics, public or social policy, public administration, business, management or similar).
• Proven experience in conceptualizing, planning and implementing projects or programs. Experience managing USAID or other donor-funded grants is highly desired.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate successful working relationship with funding agencies, government health agencies and other key health stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to set-up and manage team dynamics, harbor teamwork, inclusive and productive work environment.
• Experience providing process facilitation support on issues related to health systems strengthening – i.e., supporting a country-led process that has broad stakeholder buy-in, develops the capacity of country partners, and leads to contextually appropriate and technically valid solutions.
• Ability to understand and describe complex health systems issues.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High level of organization, attention to detail, professionalism, and reliability. Ability to prioritize and manage work in a fast-paced environment and be responsive to country partners and funders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to: effectively facilitate high-level meetings; prepare clear and concise emails, presentations and reports.
• High level proficiency and knowledge of DHIS2
• High level of Microsoft Office proficiency, including Excel, PowerPoint and Word.

How to apply

Please click here to apply.