National Information Technology (IT) Technical Assistants – Manager

LonAdd HR Consultancy Plc (www.lonadd.com) is a Recruitment & Outsourcing Company based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with branch offices in Dukem, Hawassa and Bahir Dar. We are looking to recruit a qualified applicant on behalf of our client with the below criteria.

No. required   - One (#1)  

Start Date -   Immediately available.

BACKGROUND

Client, in collaboration with Africa CDC and the MasterCard Foundation, is implementing the Saving Lives and Livelihoods (SLL) initiative as part of the African Union’s COVID-19 response. To enhance vaccine logistics and immunization supply chain data management, Client has been requested to facilitate in-country vaccine distribution and strengthen the implementation of the SLL initiative in Ethiopia. In partnership with the Ministry of Health, Client and its partners have developed collaborative micro-plans to improve vaccine logistics at all levels in 2023 onwards.

Under the first phase of in-country Logistics implementation under the AfCDC SLL initiative (2023- 2024), IT Technical Assistants (TAs) were deployed at EPSS hubs to support vaccine logistics data management by ensuring the effective use of electronic logistics data managemen systems such as mBrana, Dagu, MEMIS and DHIS2. These TAs have been supporting in enhancing stock data visibility, optimizing tools like the VRF analysis system and strengthening stock management and decision-making at sub-national levels.

To build on these achievements, as part of the second phase implementation of the SLL intiative, it’s planned to deploy a national IT TA Manager at MoH-PMED to coordinate the national efforts in revitalization of different eLMIS and HMIS tools and to oversee the subnational IT Tas (at EPSS Hubs) in implementing various eLMIS systems within Ethiopia’s immunization supply chain. Based primarily at MoH-PMED with occasional presence at EPSS Head Office, the IT TA Manager will facilitate collaboration among stakeholders in health information systems and digitalization, improving logistics data quality, triangulation of data sources and stock visibility at lower levels to foster a sustainable, data-driven immunization system.

JUSTIFICATION

This consultancy (National iSCM-IT TA Manager) addresses a critical IT gap in vaccine logistics eLMIS, requiring dedicated national coordination, hands-on capacity building, and real-time troubleshooting—roles beyond the scope of existing staff. The consultant will oversee subnational TAs, bridge MOH, EPSS, and partners, and ensure effective SLL implementation while supporting a sustainable transition to national systems. This short-term, high-impact role will enhance logistics data use, revitalize digital tools, and strengthen Ethiopia’s immunization supply chain without replacing existing staff functions.

OBJECTIVES, PURPOSE & EXPECTED RESULTS

Objectives

• Ensure EPSS hubs and lower supply chain levels effectively utilize eLMIS tools like mBrana, OpenLMIS, DHIS2, MEMIS to enhance vaccine logistics data management.
• Increase the accuracy and timeliness of logistics data reporting by through system optimization, training, and continuous monitoring.
• Train and mentor health professionals and logistics personnel at national and sub- national levels on logistics data management systems.
• Facilitate high-level policy discussions with the MoH, EPSS and Client to align eLMIS policies with national immunization supply chain strategies.
• Provide continuous technical guidance and oversight to all subnational IT TAs to ensure effective eLMIS implementation and problem resolution.
• Establish a tracking mechanism to assess system performance, with regular reports providing insights on data utilization, stock visibility, and system challenges.
• Develop a sustainability plan with clear recommendations for long-term integration of eLMIS into routine immunization supply chain operations.

Purposes and Expected Results:

The consultant, serving as the IT TAs Manager, will lead efforts to enhance the immunization supply chain data system, coordinate subnational IT TAs and build capacity at all levels. This will involve system optimization, training, mentorship, and stakeholder engagement to institutionalize data-driven decision-making in vaccine logistics management.

By doing so, some of the expected outputs include:

• Improved eLMIS implementation and monitoring to enhance vaccine logistics data quality and real-time decision-making.
• Provided training, supervision, and mentorship to strengthen digital CCE inventory management skills.
• Promoted data-driven immunization logistics through policy alignment and system improvements.
• Led and supervised IT TAs to ensure seamless eLMIS implementation and monitoring.
• Strengthened logistics data systems to enhance vaccine availability and prevent diseases.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNEMENT

As the National IT TA Manager, the consultant will oversee and coordinate the implementation of immunization logistics information management systems at the national level. The Manager’s responsibilities will include:

National and Subnational level coordination and facilitation of iSC data management

• Facilitate and coordinate the implementation of eLMIS across MOH and EPSS at national and subnational level, ensuring alignment with national policies and strategies.
• Supervise and provide technical guidance to sub-national IT TAs, ensuring their activities align with national objectives and timelines.
• Convene and facilitate regular coordination meetings with MOH, EPSS, Client and implementing partners to track progress, share updates and resolve challenges.
• Provide technical support to National and subantaional Vaccine Logistics Technical Working Group including meeting facilitation, agenda setting and decision-making processes.
• Ensure the harmonization of partner efforts in vaccine logistics data digitalization, avoiding duplication and ensuring optimal resource utilization.

Technical support for different eLMIS implementation

• Oversee the rollout, scale-up and integration of eLMIS tools (such as mBrana, Dagu, MEMIS, DHIS2) ensuring seamless adoption across the supply chain.
• Monitor the performance of eLMIS platforms at all levels, addressing challenges, identifying gaps and providing strategic solutions for system improvement.
• Coordinate the collection and analysis of logistics data for real-time decision-making, ensuring high-quality vaccine logistics and service data triangulation.
• Facilitate access to comprehensive dashboards for MoH, EPSS & other stakeholders to enable data-driven decision-making.
• Work closely with MoH and EPSS central team to enhance the revitalization of mBrana and other digital tools, troubleshooting system issues and reporting technical malfunctions.

 Capacity building and supervision of sub-national TAs working in eLMIS

• Develop and implement a national capacity-building plan for sub-national TAs, logistics officers, and other stakeholders involved in eLMIS implementation.
• Provide training, coaching and mentorship to sub-national TAs to strengthen their ability to support regional and lower-level vaccine logistics data management.
• Conduct regular supervision and monitoring of sub-national TAs activities, ensuring adherence to national eLMIS guidelines and best practices.
• Develop and disseminate standard operating procedures, guidelines and training materials to guide the effective implementation of eLMIS across all levels.

Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of eLMIS and other supply chain data management

• Establish a monitoring framework to track the effectiveness of eLMIS implementation at national and sub-national levels.
• Consolidate and analyze reports from sub-national TAs, generating national-level insights on vaccine logistics information system performance, challenges and recommendations.
• Prepare and submit regular progress reports to MoH, EPSS, Client and other relevant stakeholders in logistics TWGs, highlighting key achievements and areas for improvement.
• Identify and document lessons learned, best practices and success stories in the area of iSC data management to inform policy decisions and future interventions.
• Support MoH and EPSS in developing and updating national policies, guidelines and strategies related to vaccine logistics and eLMIS.
• Advocate for continued investments in digital health innovations and supply chain system strengthening at the national and subnational level.
• Provide technical inputs for national and subnational immunization and supply chain reviews, ensuring that logistics data plays a key role in decision-making and planning.

Other Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the sustainability and long-term integration of iSC-eLMIS into routine immunization supply chain operations and health digistalization efforts.
• Facilitate the IT related support for big iSC initiatives such as EVM 2.0, Cold Chain Equipment Inventory (CCEI) using MEMIS, Remote Temperature Monitoring (RTM) system and Cold Room Temperature Mapping.
• Coordinate efforts to strengthen 3rd and 4th level vaccine stock visibility and ensure real- time tracking of vaccine stocks across EPSS hubs, districts and health facilities.
• Address emerging challenges in logistics data visibility and digital health transformation, ensuring timely resolution of issues and adaptation of solutions.

This 12-month assignment requires frequent travel to regions and lower level and close coordination of MoH-PMED/ISD/RHBs, EPSS and Client country office. The TA manager will not replace existing staff but provide specialized expertise to address critical gaps.

DELIVERABLES / REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Major Tasks

• National-level coordination and facilitation on eLMIS
• IT Support & Capacity Building
• Stock visibility & data quality assurance
• eVRF submission, data quality analysis & data triangulation
• National-level coordination and facilitation on eLMIS
• Facilitate the national adoption of initiatives requiring IT suppor
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
• Facilitate the national adoption of initiatives requiring IT support

Deliverables

• National Coordination of eLMIS Implementation- Provide oversight on the functionality and implementation of mBrana and other eLMIS at EPSS hubs, Woredas and health facilities.
• Supervise and guide IT teams in troubleshooting, training and maintaining eLMIS tools at subnational levels to ensure smooth operations.
• Monitor third-level stock visibility, analyze VRF data quality and provide strategic recommendations for system improvement.
• Coordinate VRF data analysis, lead data triangulation exercises in immunization supply chain data.
• Represent and support digital transformation efforts in vaccine logistics at national and subnational logistics TWGs, ensuring alignment with iSC strategies.
• Oversee timely Remote Temperature Monitoring (RTM) data reporting and facilitate the integration of Cold Chain Equipment Inventory (CCEI) into national systems (MEMIS).
• Provide technical support for EVM 2.0 assessments using the mobile and desktop application and ensure effective data management, COVID-19 vaccine integration and documentation of lessons learned.
• Compile, analyze, and report on immunization supply chain performance, providing data-driven strategic recommendations to MoH, EPSS& Client
• Provide IT support to piloted Woredas and PHCUs for “DRIVE” initiative ODK under the hub’s catchment in DRIVE implementing regions
• Support RTMD data utilization for CCE performance, summarize and report RTM data for action, assist MoH in RTMD strategy development, and oversee RTMD installation, deployment and training in facilities and EPSS vehicles.
• Monitor third-level stock visibility, analyze VRF data quality, and provide strategic recommendations for system improvement.
• Ensure timely submission of eVRF requests and lead data triangulation exercises to identify and resolve discrepancies in immunization supply chain data.

LOCATION

Work Location: Primarily based at MoH-PMED, with periodic assignments at EPSS Head office. The role also requires at of travel to subnational levels- including RHBs, EPSS hubs and woredas, as needed.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The TA will directly be accountable to MOH-PMED Health Supply Chain Desk and Health Section at Client Ethiopia will oversee the management of this contract, ensuring alignment with immunization supply chain objectives. The Immunization officer at Health Section will serve as the primary focal point, coordinating with MoH-PMED, EPSS and other key stakeholders regarding these TAs. Resources, including technical guidance, data access and operational support, will be made available through third party of Client. The TAs will be granted with relevant accesses to relevant systems and personnel to facilitate effective implementation and reporting.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: PROCEDURES AND LOGISTICS

• The contract must be signed by Client, the TA and the Third-Party company before work commences.
• The TA will primarily work under the direct supervision of MoH-PMED and occasionally from EPSS head office, with frequent field travel to subnational levels.
• Payments will be processed upon completion of deliverables and certification by supervisors at MOH-PMED and Client health section.
• The TA will be provided with transport and DSA reimbursement through HR third party if the travel is approved by Client on the monthly travel plan.
• Client transport will not be directly available for TA, except under exceptional circumstances.
• Flight costs, when required, will be covered at the most economical and direct route, with prior approval through Third Party Company.
• In general, the Third-Party company is responsible for purchasing travel tickets but TA may be reimbursed if agreed upon in advance in exceptional cases.
• Travel authorization is mandatory before any work-related travel if it is going to be reimbursed from the contractual value.
• As external personnel, TA do not have direct access to Client resources unless specified.
• The TA must provide their own computer, office supplies and other necessary materials for the expected deliverables.

Specific competencies, qualifications and responsibilities required of the third-party staff:

Education: Bachelor's degree in IT, Computer Science, or another related field from a recognized University/ institution. A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is an advantage.

Experience: At least five years of experience working on Health Information System support.

Technical Skills:

• Hands-on experience implementing and managing health data capture tools, ensuring data quality, triangulation, reporting, and analytics.
• Proficiency in HMIS and LMIS tools used at MoH/EPSS, such as mBrana, VITAS/HCMIS, DHIS2, eCHIS, Dagu, and OpenLMIS.
• Strong background in supervising both technical and administrative staff.
• In-depth knowledge of the health sector, health supply chain operations and relevant commodities.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with government agencies, Client, and other stakeholders in immunization programs.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, with expertise in ERP-SAP and other logistics management systems.
• Skilled in training, technical assistance, and developing SOPs and training materials.
• Excellent analytical, presentation, and communication skills with experience coordinating diverse teams.

Interested applicants with the appropriate qualification and experience should submit their most recent and detailed CV, via email to “ recruitment@lonadd.com ” with the subject “National Information Technology (IT) Technical Assistants – Manager” in the subject box.

Application Deadline:  April 4, 2025

Only Shortlisted Candidates will be contacted