Interoperability Assessment between UNRWA Digital Health System and Jordan Health Information Systems

Result of Service

1. Assess the EMR system architecture in relation to interoperability requirements. 2. Analyze the availability, standards, and functionality of relevant host country Health Information Systems and HMIS in Jordan. 3. Evaluate technical options and interoperability standards for secure and sustainable data exchange. 4. Develop recommendations based on the assessment findings and prepare a costed, phased roadmap for integration, where applicable. 5. Conduct a comprehensive mapping of stakeholders, digital solutions, and the broader ecosystem in Jordan.

Work Location

HQA

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work: The consultant will conduct a comprehensive technical assessment to evaluate the interoperability and integration of UNRWA's upcoming Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system with Jordan's national health information ecosystem. The assignment includes reviewing UNRWA's existing digital health architecture, analyzing national health information systems and interoperability capabilities, assessing applicable international digital health standards, and providing technical inputs on legal and regulatory considerations related to data governance and information sharing. The consultant will identify technical, operational, institutional, and cybersecurity risks, propose appropriate mitigation measures, and develop a costed implementation roadmap aligned with UNRWA's EMR implementation phases. The work will be carried out using a combination of document reviews, technical analyses, stakeholder consultations, workshops, validation sessions, and comparative assessments of international best practices, while engaging relevant external stakeholders in an exploratory and non-committal manner to inform evidence-based recommendations. Specific Outputs/Tasks include but not limited to: 4.1 System Landscape Assessment • Review UNRWA’s current digital health system architecture, workflows, and reporting mechanisms. • Analyze the proposed design of the upcoming EMR system funded by KfW. • Document current reporting requirements to national health authorities. 4.2 Host Country HIS/HMIS Analysis • Assess the national health information ecosystem in Jordan. • Identify systems used by relevant stakeholders, including, but not limited to, the Ministry of Health. • Document: o System architecture o Data standards o APIs and interoperability capabilities o Reporting requirements o Data governance structures • Jordan Ministry of Health • National HMIS operators • Digital health governance entities. 4.3 Interoperability and Standards Review The consultant will evaluate: • International digital health interoperability standards (e.g. HL7, FHIR, ICD classifications). • Data exchange mechanisms. • Health information architecture compatibility. • Patient identity management considerations. • Data quality and validation requirements. 4.4 Legal and Regulatory Assessment The consultant will provide technical inputs and coordinate with the legal department, and will not independently determine legal, regulatory, or compliance positions. The items to be reviewed are: • UNRWA internal regulations on data governance and confidentiality. • Data protection requirements. • Institutional agreements required for system integration. • Feasible and compliant data sharing models will be determined by the legal department, informed by the technical inputs provided by the technical consultant. 4.5 Risk and Feasibility Analysis The consultant will identify: Technical risks • System incompatibility • Infrastructure limitations • Cybersecurity concerns Operational risks • Workforce readiness • Data management capacity • Workflow disruptions Institutional risks • Governance alignment • Stakeholder coordination Mitigation strategies will be proposed for each risk category. 4.6 Costed Implementation Roadmap The consultant will prepare a practical integration roadmap including: • Recommended interoperability model • Phased implementation plan • Resource requirements • Institutional coordination mechanisms • Budget estimates • Timeline and milestones The roadmap should align with UNRWA’s EMR implementation phases. Methodology The consultant is expected to apply a mixed methodology including: • Desk review of documentation • Technical architecture analysis • Stakeholder consultations • Workshops with UNRWA and government partners • Comparative analysis of international best practices • Validation meetings with UNRWA leadership • Engagement with external stakeholders: The consultant is expected to engage with external stakeholders professionally and with appropriate discretion. As this is an exploratory assessment, the consultant should make clear that such engagements are for information-gathering purposes and do not represent commitments on behalf of UNRWA.

Qualifications/special skills

Masters' Degree in Health Informatics, Public Health, Information Systems, Digital Health, Health Policy, Business Administration, Management, International Development or another related discipline. Minimum seven (10) years of relevant professional experience. Nature of required experience: Experience in digital health systems or health information systems Extent of required relevant experience: • Demonstrated experience in EMR implementation or interoperability projects. • Experience working with government health systems or international organizations. • Demonstrated experience working with Jordanian health systems, including key national platforms such as Hakeem (national EHR), the Jordan Center for Disease Control (JCDC), and the Ministry of Health HMIS, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with legal departments on data governance and compliance requirements. • Experience conducting technical feasibility studies. • Knowledge of health data standards and interoperability frameworks. Desirable: • Experience in the Middle East region. • Experience working with UN agencies or donor-funded projects.

Languages

English and Arabic are the working languages of UNRWA. For this assignment, fluency in both Arabic and English are required.

Additional Information

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE • The consultancy is based in UNRWA HQA Amman. • The consultancy is for local candidates. • The selected candidate will receive a monthly remuneration that is amounting to JOD 2,120.00. • The duration of the Contract is for 6 months, and the possibility of extension is subject to the availability of funds and continuing need and satisfactory performance. • As part of Digital Impact, Technology and Innovation Department (DITID)and digital workspace the role works under the overall supervision of the Senior Project Manager (Health Info Sys); with close, structured, and continuous coordination will be required throughout the assignment with, including, but not limited to: • The UNRWA Legal Office, with whom continuous coordination is required throughout the assignment • Health Information Systems teams • Programme management units • Field health leadership in Jordan.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.