Organization: Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo
Location: Malawi
Eligible Citizenship: Malawi
Application Code: M10-Int
Job Function: Information Technology / ICT / Informatics, Operations
Issue Area: Health Systems Strengthening / Healthcare Access
About
Partners In Health (PIH) is a non-profit corporation based in Boston, Massachusetts, whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. Through service delivery, training, research, and advocacy, PIH works globally to bring the benefits of modern science to those most in need and to serve as an antidote to despair. PIH currently has programs in Haiti, Peru, Guatemala, Mexico, Russia, Rwanda, Lesotho, Malawi, Burundi, Kazakhstan, the Dominican Republic, and Boston.
PIH has been working in Malawi since 2007 supporting the Ministry of Health (MOH) in strengthening health systems and providing good quality health care in Neno District.
Position Overview
The IT Networking and Medical Informatics Coordinator will be based in Neno and will report directly to the IT Manager and work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation Director in order to ensure that our systems are maximizing value for our patients.
Responsibilities
Network administration at health facilities supported by Partners In Health:
- Bandwidth management and optimization using open source software and dedicated hardware tools
- Expansion of network coverage area with Wide Area Network design and implementation
- Management of backup power systems for critical network hardware
- Management of computer systems including software updates, software and hardware troubleshooting
- Ensuring adequate back-up of systems are maintained and documented
Supporting the Electronic Medical Records systems, file servers and network management servers:
- Server setup, including installation of OpenMRS, an open source web-based electronic medical record system programmed in Java using a mySQL database
- Management of server software updates and backups for servers and databases
- Troubleshooting software problems in OpenMRS and others systems
- Creation of new content for the Electronic Medical Record systems, including the creation of new HTML forms for data entry in OpenMRS and new reports using SQL on OpenMRS,
- Creating new modules in Java to extend OpenMRS functionality
- Expanding the point-of-care system with new functionality for clinical workflows, data collection and information representation
- Create tools in Java and/or MySQL to perform large scale data cleaning operations
Using electronic systems to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the operations systems at Partners In Health:
- Improve stock management systems to track consumption of medications, consumables and other products; develop systems for accurate forecasting and supply chain management
- Improve and implement quality improvement measures to enhance pharmaceutical supply chain management
- Strategize with management and assess appropriateness of applying electronic systems to other work areas.
- Developing software applications to improve the operations of the organization
Required Skills and Experience
The ideal candidate for this position will have a background in network and systems administration and/or one to two years of related experience. S/he will be very flexible, have great communication skills, the ability to take initiative, adapt to a fast-paced work environment, prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science or another relevant field
- Knowledge and experience in the following areas:
- Network administration
- MySQL server, including SQL reporting, and Linux server administration
- Web application development in Java and/or Ruby on Rails
- Experience in statistical data analysis would be an added advantage
- Experience working with alternative energy and power backup systems a plus
- Exposure to issues relevant to public health and international development
- Fluency in Chichewa
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite programs
- Ability to interact professionally and with sensitivity with diverse staff, clients, health workers and partners (MOH)
- Willingness to take on additional work outside of the job description as required by PIH
- Comfortable living in a rural area with ability to take initiative and work with minimal direction
Fellowship Logistics
During the fellowship year, all fellows are provided with:
- A living stipend of $650/month
- Housing and utilities
- Health insurance
- A professional development grant of $600
- An award of $1500 upon successful completion of the fellowship year
- Travel costs covered to and from placement site, training and retreats
*Note: The living stipend and the completion award may be paid out in USD or local currency, as determined by the placement organization.
Living and Working in Malawi: Fellows will be provided a room in a modest staff guesthouse in Neno with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Neno is a rural district in southern Malawi and fellows will have limited access to urban centers.
