Senior Technical Officer - Health Informatics (AfCDC) at The African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Technical Officer - Health Informatics (AfCDC)

Req Id:  2465
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Grade: P3
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Reports to: Head of Division Surveillance and Disease Intelligence
Directorate/Department: Center for Public Health Emergency Management 
Division: Surveillance and Disease Intelligence

Job Description

• Africa CDC is looking for an experienced health informatician responsible for improving the quality and accessibility of health data to strengthen information systems within Africa CDC and Member States. The role is crucial in advancing Africa CDC’s mission of preventing and protecting Africa from public health threats.
• Senior Technical Officer’s role is essential for shaping Africa CDC’s digital presence and ensuring that data management practices are cohesive, impactful, and aligned with the continental public health objectives.
• This significantly contributes to Africa CDC’s efforts to prevent and respond to public health threats, ultimately benefiting the health and well-being of people across Africa.

Responsibilities

• Designing, implementing, and evaluating health informatics guidelines for data collection, storage, analysis, and sharing. 
• Guide the implementation of AU Health Information Exchange (HIE) guidelines and standards. 
• Developing and maintaining partnerships with key institutions such as National Public Health Institutions, academic institutions, non-governmental institutions, and relevant private sector partners as deemed necessary.
• Establish processes and systems for standardizing the health data process within Africa CDC and Member States,
• Facilitate the implementation of the Africa Union (AU) Health Information Exchange (HIE) Guidelines and Standards within Africa CDC and Member States,
• Provide support in developing, implementing, and maintaining relevant data privacy/protection and data sharing policies,
• Ensure that the data management processes are functional and can provide the program staff with timely outputs for daily, monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reports,
• Advise on advanced health data management systems being established by Africa CDC
• Collaborate with NPHIs, academic institutions, and the private sector where relevant. 
• Stay updated on emerging trends and technologies in health informatics and make recommendations for their adoption within Africa CDC and Member States.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Health Informatics, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related field with 7 years of relevant work experience in public health informatics, analytics, and/or digital solutions with a focus on designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating systems and solutions.
  Or
  Bachelor's degree in Health Informatics, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related field with 10 years of relevant work experience in public health informatics, analytics, and/or digital solutions with a focus on designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating systems and solutions.

• Strong technical skills and knowledge of health information technologies, standards, and best practices,
• Experience working in public health, preferably in Africa, with a good understanding of the public health landscape and challenges,
• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills,
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

Skills
Functional abilities:

• Knowledge of data systems methods and theories that pertain to data sharing, data use, and data standardization,
• Collaboration and Teamwork with strong interpersonal skills,
• Good leadership skills with a focus on empathy and inclusivity, 
• Strong working knowledge of EHR/EMR systems,
• Understanding of regulations and standards governing health data.
• Applicants must be proficient in at least one of the AU languages (Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Swahili). Knowledge of one or more additional African Union working languages would be an added advantage.

Personal Skills:

• Research and data interpretation skills,
• Attention to detail,
• Cultural intelligence,
• Negotiation and diplomacy skills,
• Creative problem-solving,
• Results-oriented mindset,
• Passion for public health.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Insight
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationship
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Orientation

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Tenure of Appointment:

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables. 

Gender Mainstreaming

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Language:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Salary
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$  96,921.34  (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 78,461.08 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
11th November, 2024; 11h59 p.m. EAT.