1.0 Background
The Ministry of Health and Wellness seeks to strengthen the capacity for analysis of surveillance data at the national level. This is in recognition of the increased availability of data and need for rational use of data to inform interventions. This includes the use of data generated via routine disease/event based and sentinel surveillance systems as well as the identification and harnessing of non-traditional data sources. It is apparent in light of recent outbreaks that a critical component of the national surveillance system is the ability to maintain capacity and remain resilient in the face of new public health threats. The system must therefore be able to maintain routine data management functions while responding to increased demand for useful information synthesized in the face of public health threats.
To this end, the Ministry of Health and Wellness is building a data science team capable of processing large volumes of routine and new or Big data in ways that meet the needs of various stakeholders. This includes building the capacity to develop and maintain resilient systems for timely data capture, processing and information synthesis and dissemination. The data science team will consist of existing staff with the addition of data scientists, geospatial analysts, and other staff who will enhance the analytical capabilities at the national level and improve the capacity for data analysis and use at the subnational levels.
An senior GIS Analyst specializing in spatial data analysis will be recruited to enhance capacity for integrating spatial data into more complex analyses to rapidly generate information regarding public health threats.
2.0 Objective(s)
To use available geospatial technologies and tools for data collection and geospatial analysis using epidemiological and other related data.
3.0 Scope of Work
- Design and implement geo-spatial component of analysis of epidemiological surveillance and other selected programme areas
- Conduct geo-spatial analyses
- Support all levels of epidemiological surveillance and other selected programmes in carrying out geospatial analysis
- Prepare reporting (routine and ad hoc) templates that incorporate geospatial analysis
- Manage the design of tools and mechanisms that incorporate sensitive data in particular personal health information and devise means to safeguard these data
- Create user accounts and access priviledges for a wide range of MOHW personnel
- Configure ArcGIS Enterprise server to store data and to accommodate APIs as needed
- Create tools to integrate with ArcGIS to automate the production of documents from individual records
- Liaise with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies to retrieve and share geo-spatial data and information in keeping with specified data standards
- Liaise with other analysts, information technology experts, informatics experts, epidemiologists and communications specialists to align information production and dissemination to inform quality improvement, outbreak response, and programme implementation.
4.0 Responsibilities of the Ministry of Health and Wellness
- The Ministry of Health and Wellness will provide access by the GIS Analyst to the relevant data and hardware and software tools including the on-premises ArcGIS Enterprise server in order to facilitate completion of specified tasks. The Ministry will also provide guidance and feedback to ensure adequacy of work outputs.
5.0 Responsibility of the Consultant
- The Consultant will ensure that (i) assigned tasks and regular duties are effectively carried out in accordance with the standards and principles of the Ministry of Health and Wellness (ii) support is provided to sub-national teams in a timely manner and (iii) confidentiality is maintained in the execution of duties.
6.0 Accountability and Reporting Systems
- Services will be contracted by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The Consultant will report to the Medical Epidemiologist, Communicable Disease Surveillance, and will also work with the Principal Medical Officer, National Epidemiologist.
7.0 Deliverables
Table 1. Deliverables and due dates
| Deliverable | Due |
| 1. Detailed work plan | Monthly |
| 2. Work plan report | Monthly |
| 3. Maps, survey tools, reports, dashboards and other elements of geospatial analysis included in all relevant epidemiological reports | Weekly and as required |
8.0 Qualifications
The Consultant should have:
- An undergraduate university degree in geography, computer science, a natural science or a related discipline;
- A graduate degree in a computer science, biostatistics, or other appropriate field is an asset
- A minimum of 5 years experience in the use of geospatial technology tools
- Ability to program, configure, manage, and maintain the operation of complex geospatial databases
- Experience in the configuration, use and management of ESRI suite of software including ArcGIS, ArcSDE, ArcGIS Server and other GIS applications
- Knowledge of Python programming and R Statistics are an asset
9.0 Core Competencies
- Good interpersonal skills;
- Strong communication skills and a demonstrated ability to build consensus and work with inter-disciplinary teams is required;
- Analytical thinker;
- Strong written and verbal communication skills;
- Confidential;
- High integrity.
10.0 Duration
The duration of the contract will be for one year (December 2020 – November 2021). The Consultant will provide service for a maximum of 20 hours per week.
Criteria, sub-criteria, and point system for the evaluation of the Full Technical Proposals are:
Points
(i) Specific experience of the Consultant relevant to the assignment:
[20]
Total points for criterion (i): [20]
(ii) Adequacy of the proposed methodology and work plan in responding to the Terms of Reference:
- a) Technical approach and methodology [35]
- b) Work plan [15]
Total points for criterion (ii): [50]
(iii) Consultant’s qualifications and competence for the assignment: [30]
Total points for criterion (iii): [30]
The number of points to be assigned to each of the above positions or disciplines shall be determined considering the following three sub-criteria and relevant percentage weights:
1) Specific experience [20%]
2) Adequacy for the assignment [50%]
3) Qualifications and competence [30%]
Total weight: 100%
Total points for the three (3) criteria: 100
The minimum technical score (St) required to pass is: 80