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Qualifications

Background

The WHO AFRO Regional Data Hub (RDHUB) aims to consolidate, standardize, and transform health data into actionable intelligence, supporting country-level health planning, regional monitoring, and global health reporting. The RDHUB initiative is designed to equip WHO leadership, member states, and stakeholders with comprehensive insights on disease prevention and control, emergency preparedness, response, and health systems strengthening.

The RDHUB will consolidate regional health datasets for the WHO African Region (AFRO) and establish seamless linkages with national data repositories. This integration will enable advanced analytics, including predictive modelling, scenario-based analysis, machine learning, geospatial analysis, and the application of innovative AI-powered tools such as chatbots. Furthermore, the platform aims to foster a culture of data use both within WHO and among external stakeholders, strengthen collaboration with Member States, and support evidence-based decision making in alignment with the WHO General Programme of Work (GPW 14).

A critical component of the RDHUB is the integration of innovative technologies including geospatial analysis capabilities (GeoNode/GeoServer), AI-driven chatbots, predictive analytics models, and interactive visualization tools to enhance accessibility, user interaction, and real-time dissemination of health data insights.

Progress to Date
Significant foundational work has been completed during the initial consultancy period (November–December 2025), establishing the technical infrastructure necessary for advanced analytics and AI implementations. Key accomplishments include:

Data Engineering Infrastructure: Development of end-to-end data pipelines in Microsoft Fabric for Immunization coverage indicators and AFP Laboratory surveillance data, implementing comprehensive data cleaning using PySpark, column standardization, multi-layered validation, table restructuring, and statistical processing. These pipelines establish the data quality foundation necessary for predictive analytics and machine learning implementations.
Geospatial Analysis Capabilities: Comprehensive geospatial analysis conducted for health facility accessibility assessment using QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, and AccessMod, including Digital Elevation Model (DEM) processing for terrain analysis, proximity and accessibility modelling, spatial data cleaning, and professional cartographic output production.
CKAN Metadata Platform Configuration: Implementation of country mapping, organizational hierarchy setup, API proxy configuration for dataset retrieval, and development environment establishment enabling dataset discovery and programmatic access.
Business Requirements Documentation: Substantial contributions to the RDHUB Business Requirements Document, articulating platform objectives, defining core solutions and value propositions, and establishing functional requirements that guide technical implementation.
This foundational phase has successfully established the data infrastructure, geospatial capabilities, and metadata cataloguing systems that are prerequisites for the advanced analytics, AI/ML modules, and interactive dashboards specified in the platform vision.

As the RDHUB approaches its Beta version launch in Q2 2026, WHO AFRO requires continuation of specialized GIS and Data Engineering consultancy for a six-month extension period (June–November 2026) to complete deliverables dependent on the now-established foundational infrastructure. These activities—including advanced analytics development, geospatial infrastructure deployment (GeoNode/GeoServer), AI/ML module integration, chatbot deployment, platform optimization, launch preparation, post-launch monitoring, requirements gathering, and technical support—were not feasible before data pipelines, geospatial workflows, and metadata systems were operational. This extension ensures the MVP successfully delivers comprehensive health intelligence capabilities for the African Region.

Deliverables

The consultant must be an expert in data analytics and AI chatbot development to ensure seamless integration, functionality, and usability of AI-driven tools within the Regional Data Hub, enhancing stakeholder engagement and improving data-driven decision-making.
The consultant must be an expert in data analytics and AI chatbot development to ensure seamless integration, functionality, and usability of AI-driven tools within the Regional Data Hub, enhancing stakeholder engagement and improving data-driven decision-making.

The consultant is expected to provide the following key deliverables:

1) Design and implement geospatial data integration and web-based GIS capabilities including choropleth map development using the ArcGIS JavaScript SDK with live Afro GIS Feature Service endpoints, spatial layer styling and configuration, disease surveillance dashboards, and spatial analytics using Microsoft Fabric, QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, and Python.
2) Develop, deploy, and integrate AI/ML modules including predictive analytics models for immunization trend forecasting, outbreak risk assessment, coverage decline prediction, and machine learning algorithms for scenario-based analytics.
3) Develop, deploy, and manage AI-powered chatbot solutions integrated within the RDHUB for natural language data queries, user interaction, dataset discovery, and real-time health data insights.
4) Design, develop, and optimize data ingestion pipelines and ETL processes using Microsoft Fabric, PySpark, Python, and Azure cloud services ensuring seamless integration of multiple health data sources with comprehensive data cleaning, column standardization, multi-layered validation, and statistical processing.
5) Deploy and maintain visualization and analytical tools including Apex Charts, Apache Superset, Streamlit interactive dashboards, Power BI reports, and real-time monitoring interfaces, ensuring integration with geospatial and AI/ML modules.
6) Conduct comprehensive technical review, quality assurance testing, and debugging of MVP components including GIS functionalities, AI/ML capabilities, data pipelines, and visualization tools to ensure platform readiness for launch.
7) Support RDHUB beta version launch preparation including: ensuring product readiness approval (team lead, director, communications, ITM); developing stakeholder presentations, user guides, technical demonstrations, FAQ documentation, and communications packages for diverse audiences; coordinating launch approvals and invitation processes for Member States, partners, academia, and media; providing technical support during launch events; and supporting broadcast and recording activities.
8) Implement post-launch monitoring and collaborative stakeholder engagement including:  reviewing responses and feedback; conducting quick surveys with attendees; compiling FAQ documentation; convening requirements gathering sessions with Member States and partners to collaboratively identify and prioritize enhancements, new functionalities, and technical requirements for post-MVP iterations; contributing to technical documentation (user manuals, SOPs, API documentation, DevOps Wiki).

Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages

Educational Qualifications
Essential: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or an equivalent university degree in a field of direct relevance to the position.
Desirable: Master’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Health Informatics, Data Science, or a quantitative field of the health sciences

Experience
Essential: 
Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in data analytics,
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, or chatbot development.
Experience in the developing, deploying, and managing of AI Chatbot technologies, preferably within health information systems.
Expertise in integrating chatbot solutions with cloud-based platforms (preferably Microsoft Azure).
Experience in data visualization and dashboard creation tools

Skills/Knowledge
Expertise in chatbot frameworks
Extensive knowledge and proficiency in data analytics tools and   programming languages (e.g., Python, R etc) Knowledge in database management
Experience in developing/adapting analytical models, predictive analytics, machine learning algorithms, and visualization tools Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
Strong documentation, planning, and organizational abilities.

Languages and levels required
Essential: Excellent knowledge of English or French or Portuguese.
Desirable: Working knowledge of any WHO or UN official language considered an asset.

Location

On-site - Brazzaville (Republic of Congo), WHO Regional Office.

Travel

The consultant may travel to some countries within the WHO African region to provide technical support and advice on the relevant tasks mentioned above. Full medical clearance is required.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:
Band level B - USD 7,500 per month. Payment will be made monthly upon certification that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):
Per diem will be paid in accordance with WHO rules applicable to international consultants for travel.

Expected duration of contract:

Three (3) months, renewable based on operational needs.

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
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• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
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