Data and Information Management Specialist

Background Information - Job-specific

Background on South East Asia and the Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO):

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.

In 2024, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 80 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.

EAPMCO Papua New Guinea

The EAPMCO Papua New Guinea was formed in early 2020 to support the implementation of design and construction of infrastructure, sustainable procurement, capacity development to support technical and governance excellence, programme management, and to facilitate access to funding sources in Papua New Guinea. As an established office since 2022, EAPMCO PNG is demonstrating significant growth and portfolio diversification potential in a short period of time. Working with an increasing number of development partners, in 2023 EAPMCO PNG is quickly being recognized as a responsive and quality partner in climate change resilient infrastructure, health infrastructure, sustainable procurement and governance support to the Government of PNG in its service delivery obligations to the people.

The Position is based in Port Moresby with frequent travel to Goroka in Eastern Highlands Province.

Project Information:

The Rapid Health Facility Assessment and Capacity Development Program

The National Department of Health (NDoH) has committed to working with provincial health authorities to introduce a rapid and routine health infrastructure and facility audit process across all 22 provinces as one of the key priorities and deliverables outlined in the National Health Plan (2021-2030) under Key Result Area 5 ‘Strengthen Health System’. As part of this approach, and in response to a request from the Papua New Guinea Health Minister, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) with the NDoH, will implement the Rapid Health Facility Assessment and Capacity Development Program (‘the Program’). Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) the Program will establish systems that support the routine collection and reporting of human resource, services and infrastructure data at each health facility level. The Rapid Health Facility Assessment will enable a timely and high-level summary of the operational status of PNG’s health facilities. This will support provincial health authorities to prepare annual budgets and prioritize resource allocation with a view to improving health service delivery in accordance with the National Health Service Standards. For the NDOH the Assessment data will be aggregated to support and enhance annual performance reporting contributing to more robust monitoring, evaluation and health information systems.

Data and Information Management Specialist Role

The Program is seeking a data and information management expert to guide the collection, management and use of data collected through the Rapid Health Facility Assessments. The role will ensure the approach to data collection and storage is fit for purpose and sustainable, and will provide guidance on the best approach for data visualization.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Senior Project Manager the Data and Information Management Specialist (the Data Specialist) will work closely with NDoH colleagues to identify an approach to data collection, storage and visualization based on intended use and existing national systems and strategies. The Data Specialist will lead consultations and synthesize the perspectives of stakeholders with viable information management systems.

The Data Specialist will be accountable for the successful planning and design of the data management approach, and will oversee the development of the technical solution and any utilization support required by NDoH or PHA colleagues.

The Data Specialist will also assist with broader program implementation tasks, for example facilitating consultations, designing and running trainings, reporting and project coordination support.

Strengthen provincial health authorities’ capacity through training and knowledge transfer to embed best practices on data management, analysis, and reporting.

Activity planning and coordination support

Other program implementation activities as requested 1. Technical advice on the integration, storage, visualization, and sustainability of health facility
assessment data.

Work with the Senior Project Manager and project stakeholders to detail out the MIS requirements of the assessment tool.

Provide UNOPS and stakeholders with technical advice on data collection and storage.

Provide technical advice on data visualization, and lead delivery of preferred data visualization option for the tool.

Develop Data Management and Dissemination plan for the project.

Complete Health Indicator mapping activity.

Identify or establish fit for purpose registry for Rapid Health Facility Assessment data entry and analysis

Ensure the integration of select data into the relevant national platforms (e.g. eNHIS).

Support the utilization of data by Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs) and NDoH for evidence informed decision making.

Ultimately responsible for ensuring data collected through the assessments is accessible and easily understood by users. 2. Strengthen provincial health authorities’ capacity through training and knowledge transfer to
embed best practices on data management, analysis, and reporting.

Support PHAs to utilize the data collected through the tool for reporting and decision making.

Identify opportunities for knowledge transfer on data management and use.

Provide tailored fit for purpose trainings to PHAs and NDOH colleagues.

Develop training materials, manuals and other guidance documentation.

Provide capacity building on using data management, analysis, and reporting to PHAs, this includes interpretation of the data and the presentation of findings to key stakeholders.

Provide capacity building on data management, analysis, and reporting to the National Department of Health, this includes interpretation of the data and the presentation of findings to key stakeholders. 3. Activity planning and coordination support

Lead the planning and coordination of data management related trainings and consultations, including logistical arrangements, preparing activity level budgets, and activity reports.

Support the Senior Project Manager with overall activity planning and delivery.

Provide assistance and support to the project budget preparation, revisions and work planning.

If required, oversee contractors' provision of services to build a data management system and/or dashboard, and other information management services if required.

If required, support the management team in preparing specifications for IT equipment and software, and support the procurement/admin teams in their quality checks.

Provide quality assurance on the data management component of the project. 4. Other program implementation activities as requested

The Data Specialist will support the broader delivery of the Rapid Health Facility Assessment and Capacity Development Program and, as required, may be tasked with other activities to support implementation.

As required, closely liaise with relevant teams within the Country Office, Project Management Office (PMO) and Multi Country Office (MCO) to optimize service delivery and promptly address issues.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in information technology, computer science, engineering, economics, statistics or in a field related to the post description.

A combination of a Bachelor's degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems or related areas is required.

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.

Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.

For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.

All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.