CONSULTANCY ANNOUNCEMENT:

PATH is a global organization that works to accelerate health equity by bringing together public institutions, businesses, social enterprises, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing health challenges. With expertise in science, health, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales solutions—including vaccines, drugs, devices, diagnostics, and innovative approaches to strengthening health systems worldwide.

PATH is currently seeking an Implementation Lead Consultant to provide 60 days of technical assistance between July and September 2019.

BACKGROUND:

Digital Square, an initiative within PATH’s Center of Digital and Data Excellence (CoDE), is one of PATH’s innovative responses to Global Health challenges to drive change. Conceived from the lessons of the inefficiencies and redundancies of investments in digital technologies, Digital Square brings global and regional actors together to create a new way of thinking about, and a new way of doing, development.

In South Africa, Digital Square works in close partnership with USAID/South Africa and the National Department of Health (NDoH) to strengthen the national health information system and data use in the public sector. Digital Square South Africa is a four-year program to address digital health architecture, interoperability, analytics, and reporting needs to strengthen health system performance and specifically improve service provision and performance monitoring for HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB). The USAID-funded project is implemented by PATH’s Digital Square project and two partners, South African-led Jembi Health Systems and Dimagi, and driven by the South African National Department of Health (NDoH), its partners, and stakeholders.

Under the guidance of the NDOH and USAID/South Africa, PATH/Digital Square is supporting current efforts to define a generic information hub (InfoHub) architecture to scale. The National Department of Health recognizes that one of the biggest challenges for provinces to manage effective patient care is having the right information accessible to make informed decisions for efficient, proactive service delivery. To address this issue, a primary focus of Digital Square South Africa is to work with the national and provincial departments of health and other key health sector partners to define and develop a generalizable model for rolling out information hubs. The information hub model aims to provide an integrated view of key indicators, such as HIV/AIDS treatment targets, and integrate data from partners and clinics into a central dashboard. The information hubs will link all systems currently tracking patient outcomes for HIV/AIDS and TB to optimize data usage for improved service delivery.

The Consultant will develop a roadmap for scaling the generic info hub model developed by Jembi; liaise with NDoH stakeholders to ensure government-owned implementation; and plan and facilitate workshop to refine the roadmap with the NDoH.

Digital Square’s Deputy Director of Programs will set priorities for and provide feedback as necessary. The Consultant will update local team with weekly “check-ins” and appropriate monthly reports, but will have significant, direct contact with our partner and clients, Jembi Health Systems, NDoH, and USAID/South Africa.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• DEVELOP AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN OUTLINING A ROADMAP PROGRESSING FROM THE GENERIC INFORMATION HUB STANDUP TO ADOPTION AND ROUTINE USE BY 8 TARGET PROVINCES. The implementation plan should include the following:

  • 3-page Executive summary providing a high-level narrative describing the rollout, a one-page Gantt chart, roles and responsibilities, and a sustainability plan
  • ~20 page narrative describing the rollout in well-structured phases. This includes:
    • References to and adaptations from global toolkits and best practices (e.g. DUP Implementation Roadmap, WHO Implementation Planning and Costing Guide, Baseline governance and ICT policies that would be required etc.)
    • Well-defined implementation metrics that track progress at each phase
  • A detailed Excel or Smartsheets-based workplan (estimated ~200 rows worth of activities) with resource estimates mapped against each activity to inform costing estimates
  • A drafted, 1-page implementation charter with defined objectives, roles & responsibilities and governance for the rollout
  • A 3-4 page sustainability plan identifying high-level resource requirements to sustain system once rolled out (e.g. major cost buckets, staffing needs, etc.), outstanding information to be gathered in rollout to inform sustainability planning, potential risks and mitigation strategies

• ENGAGE ON-SITE AT THE NDOH WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS TO ENSURE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN REMAINS GOVERNMENT-OWNED. Crafting a successful implementation plan will require on-site co-working with the NDoH, three days a week, to build key relationships and ensure developed materials remain aligned to the NDoH’s overall eHealth strategy.

• PLAN & FACILITATE AN IN-PERSON WORKSHOP IN EARLY SEPTEMBER to bring together Jembi Health Systems, NDoH and other staff to jointly review, provide input and have meaningful dialogue on the implementation plan.

• Design workshop content

• Partner with PATH in issuing invitations and managing logistics

• Facilitate workshop

• Document key takeaways from the workshop that inform final revisions to the implementation plan

• INFORMATION GATHERING WITH JEMBI HEALTH SYSTEMS IN CAPE TOWN VIA TWO, WEEKLONG ENGAGEMENTS to understand the InfoHubs model and key implementation considerations

• DEVELOP RFA TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND A TRANSITION PLAN TO ENABLE A LOCAL IMPLEMENTOR TO EXECUTE THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. Includes co-creation of an RFA, with Digital Square, to execute the implementation plan; robust documentation of inputs into the execution plan to assist in smooth onboarding of selected local implementing agency; and oversight of onboarding and transition activities.

DELIVERABLES:

1. Co-created implementation plan phases and high-level activities for scaling of InfoHubs inclusive of:

   1. Inputs from onsite engagement with NDoH
   2. Insights from engagements with Jembi in Cape Town
   3. 4-page outline showing narrative structure
   4. Template for workplan deliverables
   5. Charter template
   6. 1-page outline for sustainability plan
   7. Detailed meeting notes from at least 10 interviews with key informants as identified by Digital Square Director South Africa

2. Draft implementation plan inclusive of:

   1. All sub-components in fully drafted form
   2. Key areas requiring further discussion and information-gathering at in-person workshop

3. Draft RFP submitted to PATH for finalization/release

4. Implementation plan workshop materials

5. Report documenting key takeaways from the workshop that inform final revisions to the implementation plan

6. Final Implementation Plan

Required Skills Required Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in the planning, launch and rollout of medium to large scale (e.g. national scale) information systems in at least two of the following industries: health information systems,IT management, or equivalent information system design, development, and administration.
• Excellent project management skills of virtual teams with demonstrated ability to manage vendors, collaborate with partners, and coordinate implementation activities through the use of project management and agile software management
• Graduate degree in public administration, business administration, management information systems, or computer science, or similar / proven work experience.
• Capable person who has worked in multi-cultural environments bringing diverse groups together to achieve a common purpose with patience, grace and humility in low and middle income countries.
• Preference for experience with health information systems currently in use in the global health and development landscape (e.g., EMR, LIS, HRIS, DHIS2) as well as South Africa.
• Experience with one or more of the following: data warehouse systems and data marts, geographic information systems design, data visualization, business use, and modeling.
• Experience in system design and implementation as well as preference for ability to understand and engage with technical and software teams (exposure and ability to work within modern development patterns such as agile etc.)
• Excellent English oral, written, and presentation skills including evidence of quality proposal development, report writing, and presentations. Proficiency in French desired.
• Advanced document creation, collaboration and management skills including the use of Microsoft Office, Visio or equivalent business process modeling notation (BPMN) skills. Graphic design, modeling, and visualization
• Demonstrably strong analytical skills, including qualitative and quantitative analysis, enterprise architecture, IT architecture and systems analysis, and excellent deductive and inductive reasoning
• Must be able to communicate effectively with both ICT professionals and health sector professionals and be able to facilitate communication between these
• Understanding of the global health context including HIV/TB, surveillance systems, and international health

PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.

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PATH is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. PATH does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.