LEAP Program Description

Global Solutions Ventures (GSV) – a joint-venture partnership between ZemiTek, LLC and Dexis Consulting Group – is implementing the Long-term Exceptional Technical Assistance Project (LEAP Global), a mechanism originally used by USAID to battle against infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, and pandemic influenza. As of July 1, 2025, LEAP Global transitioned to the U.S. Department of State (DOS). This initiative aims to address the complex human resource challenges faced by national infectious disease programs in the USA-supported countries.

The intervention of this project is to hire and embed technical expert advisors and subject matter experts within government entities. By directly embedding the technical expertise within the national programs, LEAP provides long-term, sustainable lifesaving support to empower host governments to lead and manage key aspects of their infectious disease portfolios and improve coordination between the U.S. Government and the host country.

About the Position

The Senior Health Information Specialist (SHIS) will play a pivotal role in supporting the Côte d'Ivoire Ministry of Health and relevant government agencies to strengthen and integrate national health data systems. Embedded within the Direction de l'Information Sanitaire (DIS) at the Ministry of Health, the SHIS will provide strategic oversight, technical leadership, and capacity building to advance the Cote d’Ivoire's digital health architecture and data-driven decision-making. The SHIS will support the Ministry of Health in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) service delivery in full alignment with the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives. 

The primary focus of the Senior Health Information Specialist will be to provide technical leadership and capacity building to ensure the successful implementation of integrated, cost-effective, and sustainable data systems for health. This position is responsible for leading the implementation and integration of digital health solutions—including electronic medical health records (EMHRs), laboratory information management systems (openELIS), health commodity inventory management systems (mSupply, eSIGL), and disease surveillance platforms (DHIS2, etracker, OneHealth)—across all levels of the health system. The SHIS will oversee the management and analysis of large, complex datasets spanning multiple disease areas (HIV, TB, Malaria, MNCH, Global Health Security, and Routine immunization), ensuring data quality, interoperability, and real-time reporting to support program monitoring, evaluation, and policy development.

By collaborating with government counterparts, implementers, and donors, the SHIS will help drive the transition to government-led data management and reporting, strengthen data-driven decision-making in support of the America First Global Health Strategy (AFGHS), and support Côte d'Ivoire's progress toward the Government of Côte d'Ivoire's national Digital Health strategy to accelerate health coverage and the achievement of key health outcome and process metrics.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Technical Guidance

• Ensure effective communication and coordination between the Ministry of Health (particularly the DIS), NGOs, donors, and civil society partners related to health information systems and strategic information activities.
• Ensure M&E activities are integrated into overall U.S. Department of State-supported health activities and coordinate these activities with the MOH to avoid duplication of effort and programming gaps.
• Collaborate with government institutions, implementers, and other stakeholders to integrate project data into government systems and national platforms.
• Build trust and maintain professional relationships across diverse partners, facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity building.
• Participate in and contribute to health information and M&E-related meetings hosted by the MOH and other partners.

Communications

• In addition to regular communications with the DIS and Ministry of Health, communicate with partners and the U.S. Embassy to review progress, discuss activities, and address emerging issues.
• The SHIS should avail themselves for calls/meetings with the U.S. Embassy as requested.

Management of Data Systems and Reporting

• Ensure that U.S. government resources are maximized toward achieving sustained results in health data management in line with U.S. government laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Provide technical support to Department of State implementers during the planning, design, and implementation phases to ensure quality data collection and reporting.
• Recommend changes in data management and reporting approaches, using analysis of system performance and data quality assessments.
• Support the Ministry of Health to update and maintain monitoring and evaluation systems to be implemented through existing MOH platforms and existing U.S. government-supported mechanisms.
• Conduct monitoring and evaluation visits to implementation sites to ensure all quantitative and qualitative data is collected properly, and data quality standards are maintained.
• Produce high-quality donor and stakeholder reports that meet international standards and translate technical data into clear, actionable insights for non-technical audiences.

Data Analysis & Modelling

• Conduct exploratory and advanced data analysis to identify trends, correlations, and predictive insights across disease programs.
• Support the development and validation of statistical and machine learning models to inform program planning, resource allocation, and policy development.
• Oversee the integration and interoperability of data from multiple disease areas and platforms (e.g., SIGDEP, SIGSANTE, DHIS2, etracker), ensuring data completeness, accuracy, and reliability.

Data Visualization & Reporting

• Support the development and optimization of dashboards, data visualizations, and reporting tools to communicate insights and support evidence-based decision-making.
• Oversee the reporting of key health indicators and program outcomes on national and partner platforms, ensuring alignment with program metrics and requirements.

Health Data Systems Integration

• Support the integration and interoperability of health data systems (EMHRs, openELIS, mSupply, eSIGL, DHIS2, etracker, SIGDEP, SIGSANTE) in line with Côte d'Ivoire's Digital Health Architecture.
• Ensure seamless data exchange and real-time reporting across platforms, supporting national and subnational program monitoring and evaluation.

Research, Learning, and Performance Assessment

• Provide technical expertise in research, learning, and innovation, supporting the adoption of new tools, frameworks, and strategies for continuous improvement.
• Support the advancement of research and evidence dissemination goals.
• Support the implementation of standardized performance assessment approaches, including Data Quality Assurance (DQA) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), to optimize program outcomes and quality of care.

Program Monitoring & Reporting

• Oversee the collection, analysis, and use of data for program monitoring, reporting, and policy development, ensuring alignment with program outcome and process metrics.
• Collaborate with national agencies within the Ministry of Health and implementers to strengthen integrated health data systems.
• Support the preparation of reports, briefings, and presentations for the U.S. Embassy and other stakeholders.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

• Provide expert technical guidance to advance planning, implementation, and monitoring of M&E frameworks, indicators, and reporting systems.
• Support the development of Performance Monitoring Plans (PMPs) and ensure data quality assurance across all health programs.
• Design and implement data collection strategies using modern tools (ODK, KoboCollect, SurveyCTO) and analysis software (Excel, SPSS, STATA, Power BI).
• Work with health information systems (SIGDEP, SIGSANTE, or similar platforms) to strengthen data management capacity within the Ministry of Health.
• Keep abreast of current developments and best practices in M&E through regular engagement with SI experts (domestic and international) and U.S. government officials, ensuring proven methodologies are integrated into national health information systems.
• Monitor key performance metrics across disease areas, document lessons learned and disseminate success stories and innovations.
• Ensure the quality, efficiency, and impact of disease programs, supporting the achievement of program targets and health coverage goals.

REPORTING:

The Senior Health Information Specialist will provide a detailed monthly report to the U.S. Department of State, submitted by the 5th day of the following month. The format for reporting may be adjusted with concurrence from the U.S. government.

SUPERVISION:

In addition to your LEAP Global supervisors and POCs, the Senior Health Information Specialist will report to the Direction de l'Information Sanitaire (DIS), Ministry of Health, and has no formal supervisory responsibility. Incumbents may also have an onsite manager/supervisor with the coordinating Government of Côte d'Ivoire ministry, department, or agency who will provide day-to-day direction as defined in the roles and responsibilities above.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Global Health, Data Science, Statistics, Informatics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in public health data management, analytics, and health information systems in Côte d'Ivoire or similar contexts.
• Demonstrated expertise in data management, modeling, and big data analytics.
• Experience with the management and integration of national health information systems (EMHRs, openELIS, SIGDEP, SIGSANTE, DHIS2, etracker).
• Experience in Monitoring & Reporting, preferably in health, education, or development sectors.
• Minimum 2 years' direct experience managing or advising public health programs.
• Proven leadership in designing, implementing, and evaluating public health data systems at scale.
• Strong experience engaging with government agencies, donors, and international partners.
• Knowledge of disease control initiatives, public health interventions, and emergency response systems.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team management skills.
• Proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely – orally and in writing – in both French and English. Demonstrated ability to communicate highly technical information to both subject matter expert and non-expert audiences.
• Good computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office programs.
• Excellent organizational, planning, negotiating and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with DOS and/or PEPFAR projects is an advantage.
• Experience with DOS-funded public health programs.
• Demonstrated experience working with health information systems (SIGDEP, SIGSANTE, or similar platforms).
• Proven ability to thrive in dynamic environments with shifting priorities and effectively managing multiple projects and competing deadlines.
• Collaborative, respectful, and culturally sensitive approach to working in diverse settings.
• Deadline-driven with excellent organizational skills and commitment to continuous learning and innovation in M&E practices.
• Technical experience working in Côte d'Ivoire and knowledge of local culture is a plus.