National / International Consultant - Integration of IDSR system with weather and environmental data for climate-sensitive disease early warning systems, Tanzania, Dar Es Salaam (remote) 5 months REQ#594694

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of child rights not just as a job but as a calling. UNICEF fosters career growth with diverse professional and personal development opportunities.

Job Purpose

The primary objective of this consultancy is to establish an integrated climate-informed disease early warning system in Tanzania. This will be achieved by linking the Ministry of Health's eIDSR/DHIS2 surveillance data with weather, climate, and environmental information from the Tanzania Meteorological Authority. The goal is to enhance outbreak prediction, preparedness, and ensure timely responses to climate-sensitive diseases. The consultant will employ a participatory, multisectoral, and iterative methodology, involving desk reviews, stakeholder consultations, technical design workshops, and prototype development. The consultancy will focus on the technical, analytical, and operational integration of meteorological and environmental data systems with the national electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response platform to enable climate-sensitive disease early warning functionality, ultimately strengthening public health resilience.

Responsibilities

The consultant will be responsible for assessing existing surveillance, climate, and environmental information systems, and conducting key informant interviews and stakeholder consultations. They will lead joint technical design workshops to define interoperability requirements and use-case scenarios. A significant part of the role involves configuring data integration workflows and developing prototypes for the integrated early warning system. The consultant will oversee user testing and validation exercises, refining the system based on feedback. They will also be involved in developing training materials and supporting the deployment of the system. Furthermore, the consultant will develop a phased national scale-up roadmap for the early warning system within existing public health structures. This includes designing dashboards and alert workflows, and ensuring the integration of external datasets into digital health platforms. The consultant will work under the supervision of UNICEF Tanzania Health Specialists, collaborating closely with the Ministry of Health and the Tanzania Meteorological Authority to ensure successful implementation and alignment with national health priorities.

Work Experience

Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in public health surveillance, health information systems, epidemiology, climate services, or digital health. Demonstrated experience with IDSR, DHIS2, disease surveillance platforms, or health information system integration. Experience in climate-health data integration, early warning systems, or environmental health surveillance is required. Proven experience in facilitating multisectoral technical consultations and workshops is also necessary.

Skills

Health information systems architecture and interoperability, Data governance and data-sharing frameworks, Climate and environmental data application for public health, GIS, predictive analytics, and disease modelling, Excellent analytical skills, Report writing skills, Facilitation skills, DHIS2 configuration, integration, and dashboarding, Interoperability architecture, APIs and data exchange mechanisms, Data warehousing, Integration of external datasets into digital health platforms

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