Purpose of the Consultancy
The Immunization Data Officer will provide technical assistance and capacity-building to the National Immunization Program (NIP) in Lao PDR. The primary purpose is to improve immunization data management through strengthening the Electronic Immunization Registry (EIR) and leading Geospatial data collection and mapping activities. To ensure the utilization of high-quality data for informed decision-making within the country's immunization programme and overall health system.
Background
The World Health Organization (WHO) in Lao PDR is committed to reducing morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases. Effective immunization programs rely heavily on robust data management, analysis, and utilization for strategic planning, monitoring, and evaluation. The country is in the process of strengthening its immunization information systems, including the national roll-out of the EIR on the DHIS2 platform and enhancing geospatial data collection for health facilities and vaccination sites. This consultancy is crucial to support these ongoing efforts, improve data quality, and ensure that data is effectively used for decision-making at all levels of the health system.
Deliverables
Under the direct supervision of the Technical Officer (VDI) and the overall guidance of the Representative of WHO Country Office in Lao PDR, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
Output 1: Data Management and Analysis:
Deliverable 1.1: Analyse annual immunization data, produce relevant immunization-related information (e.g., vaccination coverage, drop-out rates, zero dose, service utilization etc) utilising the EIR platform.
Deliverable 1.2: Transform data into narrative text, maps, charts, and dashboards to facilitate strategic planning and decision-making.
Deliverable 1.3: Aggregate, update, and maintain related information from technical teams, field offices, including target population data, vaccination coverage, vaccination sites, sociodemographic information of defaulters, and low-performing/hard-to-reach areas, provide information to all in-country partners and stakeholders.
Output 2: Information System Development and Maintenance:
Deliverable 2.1: Support the Ministry of Health in the national roll-out of the Electronic Immunization Registry (EIR), including on-the-job training and daily support for users and regular system maintenance.
Deliverable 2.2: Support the maintenance and improvement of dashboard, data visualization, and standard reports on the DHIS2 software in cooperation with DPF/CHSI.ย
Deliverable 2.3: Support the expansion of EIR to include more health facilities and other antigens such asย
HPV for teenage girls.
Output 3: Data Quality and Capacity Building:
Deliverable 3.1: Carry out regular monitoring and supervision on EIR data entry and management to verify data quality (accuracy, completeness, timeliness) and identify gaps in immunization information management, and recommend corrective actions, and prepare relevant documents to report to relevant stakeholders.
Deliverable 3.2: Provide advice and build capacity of the NIP on data management and use through health information systems for decision-making at national level.
Deliverable 3.3: Support the revision of related forms, standard reports, standard operating procedures (SOP), and training materials, and the implementation of EPI data management.
Output 4: Geospatial Data Management:
Deliverable 4.1: Collect geospatial data and geo-referenced mapping of catchment areas of each health facility including vaccination sites as well as villages in the selected provinces.ย
Deliverable 4.2: Support generating, printing and distribution of both digital and paper catchment maps to health facilities.ย
Deliverable 4.3: Build capacity of national and provincial health staff to interpret, use and update catchment maps with health system resources and service catchment data for microplanning.
Output 5: Coordination and Collaboration:
Deliverable 5.1: Respond to specific information requests from technical teams and partners, ensuring dissemination of information and knowledge sharing.
Deliverable 5.2: Provide technical expertise during interagency initiatives related to information and data management, seeking to improve information sharing and contribute to intersectoral dashboards and reports.
Deliverable 5.3: Liaise and collaborate with Health System Development team to ensure effective collection and dissemination of data through relevant platforms.ย
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications: ย ย
Essential: University degree from a recognized university in, data management, statistics, public health, social science, or related fields, complemented by training in database management or web programming.ย
Experience required:ย
Essential: Minimum of five years of relevant experience in the development and roll-out of health data management system at international level, including at least two years with a focus on immunization information systems on DHIS2 in a developing country context.ย
Prior experience in system design, development and database maintenance and DHIS2 is essential.ย
Desirable: Working experience with UN agencies or international organizations in Lao PDR or similar settings is desirable.ย
Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:
โข Demonstrated skills in statistical data collection, analysis, and interpretation of epidemiological data as well as other immunization-related data.
โข Proven skills and in-depth knowledge of software development, data collection and management, data quality assessment, data analysis and visualization, and geographic information systems (GIS).
โข Knowledge of the specific or technical area of public health.
โข Demonstrated training skills (developing and conducting training).
โข Ability to lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams, projects, and programmes.
โข Ability to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.
Language requirements:ย
Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.ย
Knowledge of spoken and written Lao is desirable
Locationย
On-site: Vientiane, Lao PDR
Travelย
The consultant is expected to travel. ย ย
Remuneration
Remuneration: Payband level A - USD 5,000.00 to USD 6,000.00 (monthly)
Duration: 4 months, September to December 2025
Additional Information:
This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. A written test may be used as a form of screening. If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. ย 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). ย The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. ย Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review. For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. ย The WHO recruits workforce 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. The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. ย Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. ย Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. ย 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our values) 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). ย 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. ย To ensure that individuals with ย 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 short-listed candidates. WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. ย The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO. Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). ย The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. ย A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. ย Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. ย For example, official proof/certification ย of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. ย Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. ย For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int. In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. ย Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates.