Consultant, MIS Development
Population Services International (PSI) is the worlds leading non-profit social marketing organization, with a mission to measurably improve the health of poor and vulnerable people in the developing world by influencing their behavior, principally through social marketing of family planning and health products and services, and health communications. PSI has programs in more than 60 countries and works in malaria, HIV, reproductive health, child survival, and tuberculosis. PSI's core values are a belief in markets and market mechanisms to contribute to sustained improvements in the lives of the poor; results and a strong focus on measurement; speed and efficiency with a predisposition to action and an aversion to bureaucracy; decentralization and empowering our staff at the local level; and a long term commitment to the people we serve. For more information, please visit www.psi.org
A major part of PSIs work is measuring the effects of its health interventions in over 60 countries. Data are collected at all stages of the intervention distribution chain, in a wide variety of formats and are collated, analyzed and reported at the head office in Washington DC. PSI seeks to establish a consultancy to define the components of a MIS (management information system) that are necessary to rationalize PSIs worldwide data management.
The key focus of the consultancy is the creation of an organization-wide set of standards that will improve the recording, quality and flow of data to inform PSI processes. This will require an appreciation of both the public health and technical aspects of PSIs business. A major element of the solution will be to capture the underlying business requirements necessary to define a distributed technology solution system serving the diverse needs of country operations, which can range from warehoused corporate data to the activities of sub-recipients. Although distributed the technology solution must provide consistency for corporate reporting. The consultant/consultancy will advise on suitable technology frameworks and describe the implementation at a systems level. Other than deploying demonstration pilot products, this phase of the consultancy will not involve software development.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Understand the current complex data structure, pertinent to data required for quantifying the effectiveness of health interventions.
Consider solutions to reduce reporting lag in periodically (often monthly) reported data
Identify and prioritize core data requirements.
Define the requirements for a meta-driven solution, with multiple platforms and data formats.
Define a minimum set of data standards and consistent data formats.
Define requirements for the functional and technical design of the MIS.
Pilot data driven solutions.
Provide comprehensive options recommendations for the development and implementation of the MIS.
Communicate with potential users who will have wide ranging backgrounds and manage change and expectations.
Report to non-specialist staff and donors.
Work with an internal steering to ensure that solutions are responsive to organizational and country platform needs.
While the position is based in Washington DC some international travel will be expected.
Interim report - identifying the core data sources and flows within PSIs business, both from Washington DC and country based programs. Prioritize data that should be incorporated into the MIS.
Final report functional requirements and technical options/recommendations for the implementation of an MIS.
Develop and demonstrate MIS modules within country pilots.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Prior experience of complex data management, business intelligence and MIS.
Experience of data management in resource limited environments; preferably some experience in international settings.
Wide experience of different platforms and tools.
Have experience of multiple data capture methods, from electronic data capture through to paper based data.
Awareness of data driven solutions.
Understand current data standards such as XML.
Knowledge of data structures used for public health research and metrics.
Data replication and synchronization.
Knowledge of scalable solutions.
Familiarity with a wide range of software options from open source to commercial products.
Knowledge of public domain data sharing initiatives.
Data archiving.
At least 10 years experience.
PSI envisions hiring either a consultant or a consultancy to deliver the tasks below. Initially the consultancy will run to the end of 2011, with possible extension. Applications are encouraged from both individuals and consultancy teams/firms. Consultants will be expected to be available to travel for 2-3 week intervals to any countries in which PSI operate
PSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.
A major part of PSIs work is measuring the effects of its health interventions in over 60 countries. Data are collected at all stages of the intervention distribution chain, in a wide variety of formats and are collated, analyzed and reported at the head office in Washington DC. PSI seeks to establish a consultancy to define the components of a MIS (management information system) that are necessary to rationalize PSIs worldwide data management.
The key focus of the consultancy is the creation of an organization-wide set of standards that will improve the recording, quality and flow of data to inform PSI processes. This will require an appreciation of both the public health and technical aspects of PSIs business. A major element of the solution will be to capture the underlying business requirements necessary to define a distributed technology solution system serving the diverse needs of country operations, which can range from warehoused corporate data to the activities of sub-recipients. Although distributed the technology solution must provide consistency for corporate reporting. The consultant/consultancy will advise on suitable technology frameworks and describe the implementation at a systems level. Other than deploying demonstration pilot products, this phase of the consultancy will not involve software development.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Understand the current complex data structure, pertinent to data required for quantifying the effectiveness of health interventions.
Consider solutions to reduce reporting lag in periodically (often monthly) reported data
Identify and prioritize core data requirements.
Define the requirements for a meta-driven solution, with multiple platforms and data formats.
Define a minimum set of data standards and consistent data formats.
Define requirements for the functional and technical design of the MIS.
Pilot data driven solutions.
Provide comprehensive options recommendations for the development and implementation of the MIS.
Communicate with potential users who will have wide ranging backgrounds and manage change and expectations.
Report to non-specialist staff and donors.
Work with an internal steering to ensure that solutions are responsive to organizational and country platform needs.
While the position is based in Washington DC some international travel will be expected.
Interim report - identifying the core data sources and flows within PSIs business, both from Washington DC and country based programs. Prioritize data that should be incorporated into the MIS.
Final report functional requirements and technical options/recommendations for the implementation of an MIS.
Develop and demonstrate MIS modules within country pilots.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Prior experience of complex data management, business intelligence and MIS.
Experience of data management in resource limited environments; preferably some experience in international settings.
Wide experience of different platforms and tools.
Have experience of multiple data capture methods, from electronic data capture through to paper based data.
Awareness of data driven solutions.
Understand current data standards such as XML.
Knowledge of data structures used for public health research and metrics.
Data replication and synchronization.
Knowledge of scalable solutions.
Familiarity with a wide range of software options from open source to commercial products.
Knowledge of public domain data sharing initiatives.
Data archiving.
At least 10 years experience.
PSI envisions hiring either a consultant or a consultancy to deliver the tasks below. Initially the consultancy will run to the end of 2011, with possible extension. Applications are encouraged from both individuals and consultancy teams/firms. Consultants will be expected to be available to travel for 2-3 week intervals to any countries in which PSI operate
How to apply
To apply, please e-mail David Jeffries at djeffries@psi.org. Please include in the e-mail a cover letter describing your interest, skills, and availability, CVs of all proposed consultants, and a concise description of your strategy for the development of a MIS.PSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.
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