PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
To lead information management, data coordination, analysis, visualization and reporting for Bundibugyo Virus Disease readiness and possible response across the assigned high-risk corridor. The incumbent will ensure that accurate, timely and decision-focused information is available to WHO, the Ministry of Health, County Health Departments and partners for operational planning, early warning, resource prioritization, performance monitoring and response management.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
South Sudan faces a complex emergency marked by conflict, displacement, population movement, flooding, food insecurity, weak health-service functionality and recurrent outbreaks. The current regional Bundibugyo Virus Disease situation creates a high risk of importation through porous borders, informal crossings and major movement corridors linking South Sudan with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
WHO is strengthening field readiness in Yei, Morobo including Kaya, Kajo-Keji, Yambio, Ezo and Nzara. Effective readiness requires reliable systems to capture, validate, analyse and report information on alerts, investigations, laboratory samples, contacts, health-facility readiness, IPC, RCCE, supplies, partner activities, training and operational gaps.
The Information and Data Management Officer will support one operational corridor and will work closely with county coordinators, field epidemiologists, IPC/WASH officers, RCCE officers, laboratory teams, logistics staff and data clerks. The position will also maintain information flows between county, state and national incident management structures while supporting other ongoing public health emergencies as required.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the direct supervision of the WHO EPR Team Lead/Incident Manager or designated supervisor, and in close collaboration with the WHO Event Intelligence and Health Information teams, County BVD Readiness and Response Coordinators, Ministry of Health, State Ministries of Health, County Health Departments and partners, the incumbent will:
Lead information and data management for the assigned operational corridor and develop a practical workplan aligned with the national and county BVD readiness and response plans.
Establish and maintain clear data flows, reporting schedules, roles and responsibilities from community and health-facility level through county, state and national coordination structures.
Coordinate collection, consolidation, cleaning, validation, analysis and secure storage of BVD readiness and response data from all assigned counties.
Develop and maintain databases, trackers and line lists for alerts, investigations, suspected cases, laboratory samples, contacts, points of entry, health-facility readiness, trainings, partner activities, supplies and operational actions.
Ensure consistent use of approved data standards, indicator definitions, case and alert classifications, reporting tools and version-control procedures.
Produce and update daily and weekly dashboards, maps, tables, charts, situation summaries and other decision-support products for county, state and national leadership.
Analyse trends, geographic distribution, delays and performance gaps and provide concise interpretation and recommended actions to the incident management team.
Monitor key operational timelines, including alert notification, verification, investigation, isolation, sample collection, transport, testing, result communication and contact follow-up.
Maintain partner mapping and coverage analysis to identify duplication, underserved locations and priority gaps across the assigned corridor.
Compile readiness indicators for surveillance, laboratory, IPC/WASH, case management, RCCE, contact tracing, logistics, safe and dignified burial and coordination.
Support development and maintenance of corridor and county readiness scorecards, action trackers and performance dashboards.
Prepare information products for daily operational meetings, weekly coordination meetings, leadership briefings, situation reports, donor updates and partner consultations.
Coordinate data exchange with relevant surveillance and health information systems, including IDSR, EWARS, DHIS2, H-ERAMS and other approved platforms, while avoiding parallel or duplicative reporting.
Conduct routine data-quality checks, reconcile discrepancies with source teams and document corrective actions.
Ensure appropriate confidentiality, access control, data protection and secure handling of personally identifiable and sensitive public health information.
Supervise, mentor and provide quality assurance to assigned data clerks, including task allocation, review of data entry, correction of errors and verification of reporting completeness.
Train and mentor county teams and partners on data tools, indicator definitions, reporting timelines, data-quality standards, analysis and dashboard use.
Support rapid data management during alert investigations, simulations and activation of response operations, including deployment to affected locations when required.
Maintain an organized electronic repository for datasets, reports, maps, meeting outputs, reference documents and approved templates.
Identify information-management gaps in staffing, equipment, connectivity, tools and workflows and propose practical solutions.
Support information management for other concurrent outbreaks and emergencies when assigned, ensuring continuity of essential surveillance and response reporting.
Perform other incident-specific duties assigned by the supervisor.
Education
Essential: First university degree in public health, epidemiology, health information management, statistics, biostatistics, data science, computer science, information systems, demography, geography/GIS or another relevant field from a recognized institution.
Desirable: Advanced university degree or specialized training in public health informatics, outbreak analytics, emergency information management, GIS, database management, monitoring and evaluation or data visualization.
Essential
At least two years of relevant professional experience in public health information management, surveillance data management, epidemiology, monitoring and evaluation, outbreak analytics or emergency reporting.
Experience managing, cleaning, validating and analysing data from multiple sources and producing decision-focused reports or dashboards.
Experience developing and maintaining databases, trackers, line lists, maps or data-visualization products.
Experience coordinating data collection and reporting with government, health facilities, field teams or partner organizations.
Experience providing technical guidance, quality assurance, training or supervision to data personnel.
Desirable
Experience supporting outbreak preparedness or response, particularly viral haemorrhagic fever, cholera, mpox, measles or other epidemic-prone diseases.
Experience with WHO, a Ministry of Health, UN agencies, international or national NGOs, or public health institutes.
Experience working in South Sudan, border areas, humanitarian settings or other fragile and conflict-affected environments.
Experience using IDSR, EWARS, DHIS2, H-ERAMS, KoboToolbox, ODK, GIS platforms or similar health information systems.
Experience supervising data clerks or information-management assistants.
Functional Skills and Knowledge (Describe skills and knowledge specific to the post)
Strong knowledge of public health information management, surveillance data flows, outbreak indicators and emergency reporting requirements.
Strong quantitative, analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to accuracy and detail.
Ability to translate complex data into clear findings, maps, dashboards and practical recommendations for decision-makers.
Ability to manage multiple reporting streams and deliver reliable outputs under pressure and within short timelines.
Ability to coordinate and communicate effectively with technical teams, government counterparts and partners.
Strong planning, organization, documentation, presentation and report-writing skills.
Ability to explain data limitations, uncertainty and assumptions clearly.
Sound judgement, discretion and commitment to confidentiality and responsible data use.
Ability and willingness to travel frequently and work in remote or difficult field conditions.
Information technology skills
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and good knowledge of Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Experience with database and data-collection tools such as DHIS2, EWARS, KoboToolbox, ODK, Access, Epi Info or equivalent.
Experience with data-visualization platforms such as Power BI, Tableau or equivalent is highly desirable.
Experience with GIS software such as QGIS or ArcGIS is desirable.
Knowledge of statistical or programming software such as R, Python, Stata, SPSS or equivalent is an asset.
Ability to manage structured electronic files, shared repositories, backups and version control.
COMPETENCIES
Teamwork
Communication
Producing results
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Moving forward in a changing environment
Languages
Required: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English
Desirable : Working knowledge of Arabic and relevant local languages used in the assigned duty station is an asset.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test 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.
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
- Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
- WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
- WHO also offers a 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. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.