Short-term technical Assignment – Health IT Systems Improvement and Solution
Health IT Systems Improvement and Solution Consultant
- Number of working days: 65 Days
Introduction:
The USAID/Jordan Health Services Quality Accelerator Activity is a five-year activity (August 4, 2021, to August 4, 2026), with the overall strategic objective to sustain and advance improvements in equitable reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) outcomes, specifically targeting disadvantaged segments of the population. As part of the health system strengthening efforts, the USAID Health Services Quality Accelerator is supporting the Ministry of Health (MOH) in the evaluation, enhancement, and expansion of key information technology (IT) systems related to different national registries and surveillance systems in Jordan. The aim of this consultancy is to assess the improvement of the performance, functionality, and integration of these systems, as well as build the technical capacity of the MOH IT directorate team in collaboration with the ETITD team. The consultant will play a crucial role in analyzing and overseeing the implementation and/or development of specific systems: Jordan’s Maternal Mortality Surveillance and Response System (JMMSR), Jordan’s Perinatal and Neonatal Mortality Surveillance & Response System (JPNMSR), the Births and Deaths Registry, and the Cystic Fibrosis patient registry.
System 1: Jordan’s Maternal Mortality Surveillance and Response System (JMMSR)
JMMSR IS tracks all cases of maternal death nationwide beginning with focal points from all public and private sector hospitals and forensic medicine department who notify of all deaths among women of reproductive age. Then, trained members of the Directorate Advisory Groups (DAGs) from all Health Affairs Directorates identify cases of maternal deaths and conduct Maternal Death Reviews (MDRs) at the facility and household levels. Finally, DAGs along with the National Advisory Group (NAG) analyze the data, identify frequencies of occurrences, assign the main cause of death and the contributing factors, and decide on the appropriate national-level response.
To standardize and facilitate the different stages of collecting, analyzing, and using data regarding each maternal death, USAID through predecessor Activities designed and implemented the JMMSR Information System (JMMSR IS) as an electronic system, hosted on the MOH servers. The information system relies on cloud computing and storage technology to collect, store and process data, which enables authorized
users to remotely access the information processed at any time using any sort of internet enabled electronic devices. Additionally, the system deploys high confidentiality and security protocols to preserve the confidentiality of the information collected and processed at all its levels.
System 2: Jordan’s Perinatal and Neonatal Mortality Surveillance and Response (JPNMSR) System
Jordan lacks accurate registration system for reporting perinatal and neonatal deaths and their causes, and therefore accurate mortality measures and quality indicators are lacking. An electronic surveillance system that automatically transfers the perinatal mortality data to the Ministry of Health and that is linked to a quality improvement system would be invaluable for policy makers.
JPNMSR is a new registration system for capturing comprehensive and consistent data and information on the number and causes of neonatal deaths and perinatal. This system will be developed with support from USAID Health Services Quality Accelerator Activity and a vendor to the MOH.
The system is to be complemented by another intervention “Birth and Death registry” to identify the causes and contributing factors to the deaths, followed by making the appropriate actions, and then identifying specific cases for systematic and scientific analysis of the quality of care received, in a no-blame, interdisciplinary setting, with a new vision to improving the quality of care provided to all mothers and babies.
System 3: Births and Deaths Registry
It is an electronic system designed by the MOH Electronic to track all births at the health facility level in all hospitals in Jordan to track all births and deaths in Jordan from all health facility and it is connected with the Civil Status and Passport Department. This system is currently piloted at 6 public hospitals in order to have it as a national system by the end of the year 2023. And this system will be the umbrella of JMMSR and JPNMSR IS and to be built as one IS.
System 4: Cystic Fibrosis Registry
The Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Registry Information System is a comprehensive database will be designed to collect and manage critical information about individuals with cystic fibrosis in Jordan. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the respiratory and digestive systems, and the registry serves as a valuable tool for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers in understanding the disease and improving patient care. The registry captures a wide range of data, including demographic information, clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, and genetic profiles. The CF registry information system plays a crucial role in advancing knowledge, promoting collaboration, and ultimately enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with cystic fibrosis. The USAID Activity will support the development of the CF registry for Jordan.
Consultancy Objectives:
The primary objective of this consultancy service is to provide strategic oversight, technical expertise, and coordination support for the ongoing development of the MOH Health Information systems (HIS) and Registry. The consultant will ensure that the development process is on track, that the system meets the set standards for effectiveness and efficiency and supports the organization in achieving its healthcare service objectives.
Qualifications and Skills
- Advanced degree (e.g., master's or Ph.D.) in a relevant field, with a strong emphasis on IT analysis, system programming, and IT business skills
- Extensive knowledge background and expertise in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health, with a specific focus on IT systems and data analysis.
- Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques, including statistical software and qualitative analysis tools, to analyze and interpret complex data sets.
- Strong presentation and communication skills to effectively convey findings and recommendations to diverse stakeholders, including policymakers and technical experts.
- Experience in collaborating with ministries of health, vendors, and stakeholders to foster effective partnerships and ensure alignment with project goals and objectives.
- Sound understanding of research ethics, privacy considerations, and data confidentiality, adhering to relevant guidelines and regulations.
- Cultural sensitivity and awareness, respecting local norms and customs while conducting research and engaging with communities.
- Ability to provide training, mentorship, and capacity-building support to enhance research skills and quality within the local health system.
- Familiar with USAID policies and administrative procedures.
Reports Required and Deliverables:
- Meeting minute summarizing discussions and project timeline
- Comprehensive evaluation report with performance assessment and recommendations for improvement
- Report confirming verified specifications and requirements is endorsed correctly to the MOH.
- Progress report documenting implementation status and updates.
Qualified candidates should send their CVs to email address: [اضغط هنا لمشاهدة البريد اﻹلكتروني] no later than August 13, 2023
