Purpose of consultancy

This consultancy will support the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) to strengthen Fiji's HIV, STI, and BBV digital surveillance and programme monitoring systems. The consultant will ensure integration, security, and alignment of health information systems (PATISPlus, Tamanu, LIS, mSupply) with WHO and UNAIDS standards, while mentoring the MHMS Digital Health Officer to build sustainable national capacity. The consultant will work with the National HIV Outbreak and Cluster Response Taskforce (N-HOCRT) and divisional surveillance officers to improve data quality and real-time analytics for evidence-based decision-making. 

Background

Fiji’s HIV epidemic has evolved significantly in recent years, with new infections increasingly associated with changing patterns of risk, including injecting drug use, particularly involving methamphetamine. The absence of harm reduction services such as needle and syringe programmes (NSPs) has contributed to unsafe injecting practices and accelerated transmission in some communities. At the same time, late diagnoses, limited reach of testing services among key and vulnerable populations, and persistent stigma continue to challenge timely linkage to care. 

The national response led by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) focuses on broadening combination prevention and testing options, improving access to treatment, strengthening surveillance and laboratory systems, and integrating HIV, STI, BBV, and TB services. Community-based organisations and peer networks now play a critical role in reaching people who are underserved or outside formal health systems, ensuring that prevention and care services are accessible and equitable. 

Digital health systems and data integration have become central to strengthening Fiji’s HIV response. The ability to generate, analyse, and act on real-time information is crucial for detecting new transmission patterns, monitoring programme performance, and ensuring accountability across the cascade of care. Integrated platforms such as PATISPlus, Tamanu, Laboratory Information Systems (LIS), and mSupply provide opportunities to streamline data collection, automate reporting, and improve the completeness and quality of surveillance information. 

Investing in robust digital architecture, supported by trained personnel, strong data governance, and interoperability across systems, is essential to transform fragmented data into actionable intelligence. Strengthened IT systems enable timely case reporting, tracking of testing and treatment outcomes, early identification of service gaps, and data-driven decision-making to guide Fiji’s evolving HIV, STI, and BBV response. 

3. Planned timelines  

Deliverables 

Output 1: Strengthen digital infrastructure for SRH, HIV, and BBV data systems. 

• Deliverable 1.1 Conduct a comprehensive mapping of all existing HIV, STI, BBV, and SRH digital platforms (e.g., PATISPlus, Tamanu, LIS, mSupply, DHIS2) to identify gaps, overlaps, and integration opportunities. 

• Deliverable 1.2 Develop a systems integration plan outlining interoperability standards, application programme interface (APIs), and data-sharing protocols consistent with MHMS digital health policy. 

• Deliverable 1.3 Support MHMS to enhance system security, user access controls, and data protection in line with WHO digital health and national governance frameworks. 

• Deliverable 1.4 Produce a technical assessment report summarising recommendations for infrastructure strengthening and system optimisation. 

Output 2: Phased systems strengthening roadmap developed. 

• Deliverable 2.1 Develop a phased roadmap outlining short-, medium-, and long-term actions to enhance SRH, HIV, STI, and BBV digital systems, covering infrastructure upgrades, user support, and data-quality improvements. 

• Deliverable 2.2 Prepare an interoperability plan defining required digital linkages between national health platforms (PATISPlus, Tamanu, LIS, mSupply), including data-exchange standards, APIs, and security protocols consistent with MHMS policy. 

• Deliverable 2.3 Establish a framework for real-time monitoring and ethical data governance, ensuring confidentiality, data protection, and compliance with WHO digital health guidance. 

Output 3: Technical assistance for HIS governance and capacity building. 

• Deliverable 3.1 Update and standardise SOPs for digital data entry, reporting, validation, confidentiality, and data sharing across SRH, HIV, STI and BBV programmes. 

• Deliverable 3.2 Develop data-governance guidelines defining institutional roles, user permissions, oversight mechanisms, and system-maintenance responsibilities under the SRH & HIV Unit and Data for Impact Committee. 

• Deliverable 3.3 Create and deliver training modules for health workers, data clerks, and programme officers on system use, data quality assurance, basic troubleshooting, and digital ethics. 

• Deliverable 3.4 Mentor the Digital Health Officer and divisional data teams to ensure sustainable capacity for digital-system administration and user support. 

Output 4: Strengthened Integration Across Key Health and Programme Systems 

• Deliverable 4.1: Detailed linkage plan between PATIS/PATIS-CMRIS, Tamanu, mSupply and HIV programme databases. 

• Deliverable 4.2: Data exchange templates and technical specifications for interoperability. 

• Deliverable 4.3: Progress report documenting implemented linkages, testing outcomes and remaining gaps. 

Output 5: Strengthened integration across core health and programme systems. 

• Deliverable 5.1 Develop a detailed system linkage and integration plan between PATISPlus, Tamanu, LIS, mSupply, and HIV programme databases to enable automated data flow and unified reporting. 

• Deliverable 5.2 Design data-exchange templates and technical specifications (including API endpoints and metadata definitions) to support secure, standardised interoperability. 

• Deliverable 5.3 Conduct integration testing and produce a progress report documenting successful linkages, user acceptance results, remaining technical gaps, and recommended next steps for full national rollout. 

Output 6: Twinning and mentorship for sustainable national capacity. 

• Deliverable 6.1 Twin with the MHMS Digital Health Officer, providing structured mentorship in system administration, integration management, troubleshooting, and user support. 

• Deliverable 6.2 Develop a mentorship plan and competency framework with learning objectives, milestones, and performance indicators for the Digital Health Officer and divisional data teams. 

• Deliverable 6.3 Facilitate monthly capacity-building sessions (on-the-job and virtual) for surveillance and IT personnel across divisions to ensure consistent technical standards. 

• Deliverable 6.4 Produce a twinning summary report outlining capacity gains, lessons learned, and a sustainability roadmap for continued national ownership of digital systems beyond the consultancy period. 

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages  

Educational Qualifications 

• Essential:  A degree in IT, Computer Science, or Health Informatics, or equivalent qualification. with   

• Desirable: Master’s degree or certifications in IT will be an advantage 

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• Experience 

• Essential: 5 years' experience in developing, integrating, and managing health information systems. Experience in system design, database management, data interoperability, and user training for digital health platforms.  

• Desirable: Experience of working with the UN system and experience of working with the Fijian Government. 

•  

• Skills / Technical skills and knowledge 

• Strong expertise in information systems design and integration, including interoperability and secure data exchange. 

• Proficiency in analysing system architecture, data flows, and digital platform performance. 

• Experience developing SOPs, governance frameworks, and data quality protocols. 

• Practical knowledge of database management and digital platform operations. 

• Understanding of confidentiality requirements and real-time reporting processes. 

• Ability to deliver user training, mentor staff, and support system roll-out. 

• Experience implementing digital solutions in Pacific or similar contexts. 

• Knowledge of database optimisation, dashboard development, and data visualisation. 

• Familiarity with DHIS2 or similar platforms. 

• Understanding of API-based system linkages and cloud-based architecture. 

• Ability to support data use for modelling, forecasting, and programme planning. 

   

   

Languages 

Essential - Fluency in English language

Desirable - Fluency in iTaukei language 

6. Competencies 

• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond 

• Teamwork 

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences  

• Promoting WHO’s position in health leadership  

7. Location 

The consultancy will be in Fiji for eleven months. 

8. Medical clearance  

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work. 

9. Travel   

The Consultant is expected to travel within Fiji. 

Remuneration and budget: 

• Remuneration:  118,528.92 FJD 

• Expected duration of contract:  11 months. 

Additional Information: 

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. 

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. 

• A written test may be used as a form of screening. 

• If your candidature is retained for 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. 

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