Data Management Associate At Solina Group

The GAVI-funded COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Program is targeted at improving the uptake and equitable delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to 70% of eligible and at-risk groups. For this critical intervention, the availability and visibility of accurate and complete data are essential to continually course-correct, adjust program approaches, and achieve coverage targets. In Guinea Bissau, data management for the COVID-19 program is plagued by a myriad of issues ranging from the fragmentation of data flow systems, cumbersome reporting processes, and poor capacity of data managers; these in turn translate to significant gaps in data completeness, accuracy, and availability, inefficiencies in data use for action, and delays in vaccine certifications.

The country currently deploys a hybrid of primary paper-based data collection and secondary data entry/digitization via Kobocollect and DHIS2 for aggregate and individual patient data respectively. Further complicating this complex system, the country has accrued a backlog of paper-based sheets that are yet to be digitized into individual patient data thus hampering validation and global recognition of vaccination achievements. These multi-level issues indicate the need for targeted and dedicated support for data management to guarantee the visibility of COVID vaccination performance trends for Gavi, the country’s vaccination team and other stakeholders.

Thus, Gavi engaged Solina to embed a competent Data Management Associate at the country’s Ministry of Public Health and affiliate agencies, to optimize existing data systems and identify new opportunities to ensure data availability for decision-making at all levels. The Data Management Associate will directly support the COVAX technical working group (TWG) to implement the following core technical responsibilities:

I. Technical Responsibilities

1. Optimize data availability and completeness through:

• Facilitation of automated entry for individualized vaccination sheets on DHIS2 using OCR-based technology for conversion of existing backlog data and ongoing campaign data
• Harmonization and reconciliation of aggregate and individual patient data
• Development and execution of transition requirements and protocol for near real-time data digitization in the short term, and a direct electronic registry (EIR) system in the long term
• Support for planning for integration of the COVID-EIR system with other PHC programs to improve health data broadly

2. Institute measures to ensure data quality and integrity

• Operationalize bi-annual data quality surveys across regions and sanitary areas
• Institutionalization of data quality improvement measures to address observed gaps across levels

3. Facilitate effective and routine use of data for action

• Institutionalization of periodic data reviews at all relevant fora (Sanitary Area, Region and National)
• Deployment of national and regional level visualization dashboards to improve visibility into program performance and disseminate widely
• Development and dissemination of a routine program bulletin for COVID surveillance and vaccination data

4. Execute other routine tasks and program deliverables including:

• Supporting the set-up of a dedicated sub-committee for data management under the COVAX TWG to actively steer data-related activities
• Continuous capacity building for data management officers and teams at the national level
• Periodic data analysis of the COVID program to influence policy direction and guide program decision-making
• Routine client engagement meetings and advocacy visits to relevant stakeholders to effectively plan and implement data management activities at all levels
• Continuous monitoring and review of data management interventions
• Deployment of simple data management SOPs and tools for COVID vaccination

II. Required competencies

a. Core requirements

• Outstanding leadership, management and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with varying levels of stakeholders
• Excellent project management skills and a proven track record to manage numerous tasks
• Possess strong organizational, innovative problem-solving, and analytical skills
• Fundamental digital literacy including an understanding of MS Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Use of one or more data analytic tools including Excel, SQL, DHIS2, ODK, and Power BI
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to distil complex subjects to audiences
• High level of professionalism, self-motivation, and influencing skills
• Evidence of strong character with integrity, honesty, accountability and trust

b. Education and Experience

• Academic training: Minimum of University Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics Epidemiology, Public Health or other core STEM fields
• Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a Data Manager for health and immunization programs; expertise in COVID-19 data management and electronic immunization registry/electronic medical records is desired. Applicants must have work experience in providing advisory support to Government, designing data management protocols, and capacity building on data management
• Language: English language and Portuguese (highly essential), French is also desired