Strategic Health Information Officer

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2603801
• Grade: P3
• Contractual arrangement: Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
• Contract duration: 1 year
• Organization: AF_GNB Guinea Bissau
• Schedule: Full-time
• Closing date: Sep 16, 2026, 12:59:00 AM

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To facilitate evidence-based decision making in planning,implementing and monitoring health systems and services interventions through a primary health care approach, that will aid movement towards universal health coverage and other health related SDG targets.
 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities which are performed according to the needs and agenda:

 To proactively support the development of required capacities in the country to generate needed data and statistics. This involves strengthening of systems for routine health facility data collection, birth death and cause of death, surveillance data,facility and community-based surveys including demographic and health surveys.This includes the development of norms and standards, regular country capacity assessments to identify gaps and provision of support to address these gaps,and regularly provide status updates through scorecards, statistics atlas and other methods to consolidate the country's status.

To lead work with country and technical experts on analysis of existing data and statistics in order to discern trends and patterns, plus build attribution and prediction models for the direction of health in the country. These analytics are at facility, sub national, national and cross-country levels. The emerging information shall be consolidated in periodic publications that will need to be produced, such as state of health in a member state or the sub-region, or specific program analyses. In addition,support to sector monitoring and evaluation processes in the Health Regions.

To support the generation of evidence to guide decision makers through development of health policy briefs,documentation of good / best practices, writing health blogs on key events, and other methods for sharing evidence.

Lead the coordination of health research in the country. This shall be through supporting the work in INASA's Advisory Committee on Health Research and Development, plus other research associations/ consortia that WHO is part of. In addition, they shall support the functioning of peer reviewed journal of the regional office.

Support the work on innovative approaches to ensuring strategic health information is available, specifically focusing on functioning of health observatory in the country, and harmonizing the work on digital health.

Facilitate strengthening of governance of health information systems, particularly in assessing state of health information systems, and supporting initiatives to address gaps in the capacity to generate, analyze and use health information for decision making;establishment and supporting data collaboratives for better use of existing health information resources' and mobilizing resources for health information.

Guide the generation of institutional data,analytical and knowledge products relating to the work of WHO and partners in countries such as SDG monitoring, Global Action Plan status, and the WHO Global Program of Work impact framework within the Country.

To perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required
 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A degree in a health-related field, which includes training in biostatistics, demography and/or epidemiology. Postgraduate degree/qualifications in a public health field.
Desirable: Doctorate in health statistics and information systems. Training or specialization in Monitoring& Evaluation systems, preferably as related to health. Training in health informatics
 

Experience

Essential: At least five years'practical experience working in generating and using strategic health information, specifically in generating health data / statistics, analysis of data including conducting of sector wide Monitoring and Evaluations,development of knowledge products such as health policy briefs. 

Proven ability to document strategic health information such as through production of country statistical abstracts, sector review reports, health policy briefs, best practice documentations, and others.

Desirable: Experience across multiple countries in generating and using strategic health information.Experience in policy formulation and quality management, strategic and policy planning and policy as well as facilitating consultations.
 

Skills

Proven ability to identify and apply modern ICT methodologies to health information systems and to the use of various mechanisms including health observatories and score cards for the implementation of best practices in the region. 

Proven track record in the implementation of international norms and standards on information systems with effective reporting systems. Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write clear and concise documents and give technical advice and guidance in resource-limited contexts.

 Participate in resource mobilization and advocacy activities. 

Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and resolve issues in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics.

 Diplomacy, tact and courtesy.
 

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
 

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of Portuguese or French.
Desirable: Working knowledge of English.

 

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 71,335 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2907 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

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• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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