Public Data Sources Structuring and Automation for Public Health Intelligence
Organizational Context
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations' directing and coordinating authority for public health. WHO's mission is to promote health, ensure everyone attains the highest level of health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. This role supports WHO Egypt's capacity to utilize reliable public health information for analysis and decision-making within the UN system.
Job Purpose
This role supports the design, automation, and enhancement of data pipelines and analytical workflows to improve the accessibility, management, and utilization of public health information. The volunteer will organize diverse public data sources, develop automated processes for data retrieval and updates, and strengthen documentation for better data consistency and reproducibility. The contribution aims to bolster WHO Egypt's capability in leveraging accurate and current data for effective public health analysis, monitoring, and evidence-based decision-making, ultimately contributing to SDG 3.
Responsibilities
The online volunteer will structure and automate the retrieval of public data sources for public health intelligence workflows, ensuring a defined set of sources remains organized and current. Key tasks include supporting the design and maintenance of a clear folder/file structure for data from multiple public sources and assisting in the development of R scripts for automatic data download and updates from a specified list of sources. Deliverables include at least two functional R scripts for automated data retrieval and updates, and a source documentation sheet detailing update frequency, access methods, and known issues for each source.
Work Experience
Experience is required in R Programming and Automation, specifically writing scripts to fetch, store, and update data from web sources or APIs. Experience in structuring files and folders for reproducible, multi-source data work is also necessary. Familiarity with public health, surveillance, or open government data sources is desirable.
Skills
Proficiency in R Programming and Automation for data fetching and updating. Skills in data organization for reproducible workflows. Familiarity with public health or open data sources is beneficial. Fluency in English is required.