Infectious Disease Detection and Surveillance (IDDS) is a five-year USAID-funded project with the following overall objectives: (1) Improve the detection of diseases of public health importance and identification of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in priority infectious diseases through an accessible, accurate, adaptable, timely, and integrated diagnostic network system; (2)Improve the quality of real-time surveillance systems for pathogens of greatest public health concern, including AMR and zoonotic diseases, and; (3) Generate evidence-based guidance and innovative solutions to strengthen in-Burkina Faso diagnostic networks and surveillance systems.
In Burkina Faso, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has implemented a routine health information system (RHIS) based on the District Health Information Software (DHIS2). There has been a need to set-up a strong and integrated surveillance system for the integrated care and management of diseases, regardless of their origin. To support this, USAID Burkina Faso mandated its partners to develop a platform that will improve the availability and use of strategic information in Burkina Faso with the objectives to:
- Set up an integrated surveillance system in Burkina Faso following the “One Health” approach,
- Improve the quality of data pertaining to patient care and treatment, as well as to epidemiological surveillance in the national health information system and
- Institutionalize the culture of evidence-based decision-making
FHI360 is seeking a Health Information Systems Specialist (HISS) to be responsible for technical implementation of activities in Burkina Faso as well as coordination with other project team members and partners who undertake HIS strengthening activities. This includes supporting the implementation and expansion of Burkina Faso One Health Platform, strengthening facility and laboratory information systems, primarily in public health but also private health and other non-governmental facilities and laboratories. This position reports to IDDS Team lead based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
The HISS will be based at the FHI360 office and will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health. He/She will be responsible for the maintenance and updating of the DHIS2 software as well as for the development of other applications based on DHIS2 and other similar software. He/She will support the updating and the national deployment of the integrated “One Health” health information system based on DHIS2. He/She will be required to build the capacity of the MOH staff, and more specifically the DSITS (Direction des services informatiques et de la télésanté) and departments of epidemiological surveillance at the level of the MOH, Ministry of Animal and Halieutic Resources, and the Ministry of the Environment.
His/Her specific responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:
- Manage the District Health Information Software (DHIS2) and any other tool used in the context of the “One Health” approach and its deployment at the community, district, regional, and central levels (HIS management, documentation, communication, organization, and deployment follow-through);
- Develop modules (applications) complementary to DHIS2 based on the needs identified during the use of the DHIS2 software (management of anomalies, correction, development);
- Provide technical assistance to data managers in the context of the use of the software;
- Contribute to software quality assurance through tests and validation processes;
- Participate as a trainer to software user trainings;
- Update training modules and curriculum in that field;
- Implement the capacity building plan for the DHIS2 data managers;
- Provide technical support for Information Technology (IT) related questions;
- Participate in drafting reports as required by the project;
- Help in the implementation of other MEASURE Evaluation IT. projects and requests
- At least three years’ experience in design, development, implementation, testing, documentation and maintenance of health information systems is required.
- Two additional years of experience as manager of an IT project is desired.
- Practical experience in the development and use of databases and other tools and mechanisms for data/information management
- Theoretical and practical knowledge of database development as well as experience in the development and management of databases and information systems.
- At least two years’ experience in adaptation and deployment of DHIS2 at a national level.
- At least two years’ experience in adaptation and deployment of an epidemiological surveillance tool
- Experience in hospital information systems and management of electronic medical records is a plus
- Experience in adult training on the use and management of information systems, including the analysis and development of applications is preferred
- Experience in needs assessments, users’ needs analysis and the development of software specifications
- Practical experience in software development and programming using databases such as MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, Postgres, MS Access or any SGBDR platform. Experience and familiarity with programming languages (such as Java, JavaScript, Visual Basic, PHP, HTML, etc.) and with operating systems (e.g. Windows, Linux, MacOS).
- Experience in project management and coordination
- Strong knowledge of tools and mechanisms for information management is preferred.
- GIS knowledge is preferred
- Experience in developing web-based mapping applications is preferred
- Experience in monitoring and evaluation is preferred
- Experience in public health is a plus.
- Native/Fluent French and practical knowledge of English required.
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