The Position:
The fourth health sector strategic plan (HSSP4) contributes to the achievement of Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1), 2017 – 2024. These national targets and goals can only be achieved through evidence-based policies and programmes. Rwanda Biomedical Centre is the central health implementing agency established by the Government of Rwanda in 2011. Its aim is to improve the health of the Rwandan population through ensuring high quality, affordable and sustainable health care services, education and research. Prime Minister’s order No 167/03 of 21/12/2020 determining the organisational structure of Rwanda Biomedical Centre, published in the official gazette of 14th December 2020[1], established a new division of RBC in charge of Research, Innovation and Data science (RIDS). The RIDS Division serves as the core health research, innovation and data science organ for the health sector in Rwanda. The Division is composed of three main components: Research, Innovation, and Data Science which are the backbones of RIDS activities and mission. To achieve its ambitious mission and vision, the institution recognizes the need for a comprehensive strategic plan that will guide its activities and initiatives over the five coming years. Two consultants with expertise in research and data science are proposed to be recruited to lead the strategic planning process. These Terms of reference outlines the proposed milestones and timelines for the development of the RIDS Division's strategic plan.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:
Given this work’s nature, the UNFPA Country Office for Rwanda is recruiting one consultant at the NOC level for 4 months to support the development of five-year strategic plan for the Research, Innovation and Data Science Division/RBC.
You would be responsible for:
Situation Analysis: a comprehensive situation analysis, which includes reviewing the current state of the RIDS Division, its achievements, challenges, and opportunities. This will involve stakeholder consultations, data collection, and a thorough review of existing documents and reports.
Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with key stakeholders, including division staff, clinicians, scientists, academics, policymakers, health service managers, and national and international funding agencies. Seek their input and perspectives on the division's future direction.
Strategic planning: Collaborate with the division's leadership to develop a robust strategic plan. This will involve defining the division's strategic goals, objectives, and key performance indicators. The plan should be aligned with the division's mission and vision.
Data science and Innovation Integration: Ensure that the strategic plan places a strong emphasis on promoting data science and innovation within the division. Identify areas where machine learning, automation, and data analytics can be leveraged for better outcomes.
Resource Mobilization: Develop strategies to identify, attract, and retain highly skilled researchers. Create frameworks for income generation, private sector engagement, and strategic investments to support research and innovation activities.
Medical Research conduct and capacity Building: Recommend research areas of focus linked to national health research agenda and identify training programs and initiatives to build a critical mass of researchers, from early career to experts. Establish partnerships with academic institutions for capacity development.
National Health Research Agenda: Contribute to the ongoing development of national health research agenda in collaboration with WHO consultant by offering technical expertise and local context.
Communication and Dissemination: Develop a communication strategy to promote the strategic plan internally and externally. Ensure that the division's achievements and research projects are effectively communicated to the public.
The consultants will be expected to provide the following outputs:
A comprehensive strategic plan document for the RIDS Division, including goals, objectives, strategies, and a monitoring and evaluation framework.
- Stakeholder engagement reports and input summaries.
- Recommendations for data science and innovation integration.
- Resource mobilization and capacity-building strategies.
- Communication and dissemination strategy.
- A compiled national health research agenda contextualized in Rwandan key goals and
- targets.
- The national health research agenda launched and disseminated.
- The strategic plan for research innovation and data science launched and disseminated.
A compiled strategic plan for research innovation and data science division.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Essential:
- Master’s degree in health, human sciences, social sciences, statistics, or related areas.
Knowledge and Experience:
Training or specialization in public or global health, with academic qualification at the master’s degree level.
A minimum of 10 years of work experience in public health, including policy dialogue, planning and development, and review of major policy documents within the health sector in Rwanda.
Desirable:
- Familiar with the health sector in Rwanda and policy development
- Working experience with the Ministry of Health and/or University of Rwanda’s School of Public Health.
- Good working relationship with government stakeholders.
Languages:
Working proficiency in English and Kinyarwanda.
Required Competencies:
Values:
- Exemplifying integrity,
- Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
- Embracing cultural diversity,
- Embracing change
Core Competencies:
- Achieving results,
- Being accountable,
- Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
- Thinking analytically and strategically,
- Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
Deadline: Apply before 07/03/2024 16.59
How to apply:
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.
