1. Background

Quality data is critical for evidence-based decision-making, sound planning and resource allocations, and monitoring of health sector targets such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Rwanda Ministry of Health (MoH) collects data from various systems used in over 500 health facilities. This data is siloed, impeding its quality and use to inform policymaking. To address this concern the MoH is establishing a data warehouse (DW) to integrate the various data sources into a single integrated and interoperable system. The DW will serve as a backbone to feed different analytics platforms.

The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes health observatories worldwide, including the Rwanda Health Observatory (R-HO), which will be established as a one-stop-shop and open-access platform for storing, analyzing, synthesizing, and disseminating health information. 

As a first step, the RHO Web portal will be developed as the main source of reliable, complete, and timely health-related data and evidence in the country. The overall objective is to implement a health data warehouse specific to Rwanda that will be used to power analytics platforms/systems. This data warehouse will also serve as a single source of verified data to support monitoring of the health system in general and SDGs monitoring. These data will feed similar systems used at the National Institute of Statistics (NISR), such as the Open SDG platform. In addition, the R-HO will feed the WHO’s Global Health Observatory and provide access to validated data for public use

2. Deliverables

The RHO web portal will be a menu option on the MoH website. It will include five content areas:

• The Data and Statistics platform will provide access to selected, quality-checked, and integrated data and allow users as much flexibility in finding what they are looking for in the most useable and attractive format. This means using a range of software tools to design the optimum researcher environment, including Artificial Intelligence. Researchers will be able to select specific sub-national areas and indicators, view output in graphic, tabular or map format, as appropriate for the condition and indicators they selected, including time series and other comparisons over time. Users will also be able to communicate with others engaged in similar research and keep up with their fields through a current awareness service based on their active research interests.
• National and subnational health profiles: the RHO will offer comprehensive and analytical health profiles to inform policy and decision making on wide range of areas including: i) health status and trends – life expectancies, mortality and disabilities; ii) health systems– governance, partnerships, finance, human resources, products and infrastructure, community participation, information and evidence; iii) specific programmes and services (e.g. family and reproductive health, vaccination) and communicable and non-communicable disease and disorders; iv) social and environmental determinants, and risk factors for health; and v) sections that describe progress on internationally agreed goals and targets: the health-related SDGs, and other internationally agreed upon goals.
• Publications and other information products: As a repository of data and analytical profiles, the RHO will source numerous derivative publications – basic indicators, National Health Reports, thematic and other situation analyses, etc. Technically, this implies developing an appropriate content management system and database of information products. Domestic and internationally produced publications relevant to the country and its sub-regions should be included to best bridge the knowledge gap.
• Networks and social networking tools: To encourage networks and Communities of Practice, the portal will provide the required online conferencing facilities, social networking and other tools.

Deliverables and Timelines are shown below:

3. Contract duration

Three months

4. Requirements

Educational Qualifications

Members of the team should have at least Master’s degree in computer science, information technology, health informatics, or another relevant field such as medical sciences, project management, or economics, with a proven experience in data curation, monitoring and evaluation, accountability and learning, capacity building, and cybersecurity.

Experience

Members of the company should have at least ten to fifteen years of experience in implementing solutions that enable health decision-makers to turn complex data into action, including in the African region.

Essential: the company should demonstrate the following:

1. Development and implementation of data-driven solutions tailored to individual organizations’ needs to support evidence-based decisions.
2. Support projects in data curation, including Big Data and Analytics in health and social care.
3. Evidence for transformative services and development of solutions that strengthen accountability and learning
4. Extended experience in the field of E-Health and Cybersecurity .
5. Work experience with African countries, including Rwanda.

Desirable:

• Facilitation of tailored capacity-building programs.
• Proven at least two (2) similar assignments for the last ten years
• Experience working with government agencies, the Academia, and/or the UN agencies.

Languages and level required

• Team members should have working proficiency in English and French.
• Knowledge of Kinyarwanda is an added advantage.

5. Technical coordination & reporting

WHO Country Office for Rwanda

WHO Regional Office for Africa (for integration with the African Health Observatory)

6. Location

8. Submission of Expression of Interest (how to apply)

The potential candidates are encouraged to submit their expression of interest by e-mail in PDF file to WHO-RWANDA BIDS (afwcorwbids@who.int )with copy to : nasabwea@who.int ; singirankabom@who.int

9. Selection procedures

The selection of a successful proposal will be based on the Quality and Cost Based Selection QCBS methodology. Only qualified candidates shall be contacted by WHO.

Deadline for submission: 14^th October 2024