Digital Health Information Systems Officer at Willows International Tanzania (WIT)

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR DIGITAL HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS OFFICER (DHISO)

INTRODUCTION

Willows International Tanzania (WIT) works in close collaboration with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RGoZ), through the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other relevant Government structures, to strengthen and institutionalize sustainable, government-owned health systems that contribute to improved health outcomes across Zanzibar. WIT’s support is anchored within Zanzibar’s national Community Based Health Program (CBHP), with particular emphasis on strengthening the systems, structures, capacities, and tools required to translate national health policies and strategies into effective and responsive services at community level while bridging with health facility setting. These include CHWs, Health Facility Governing Committees (HFGCs), Field-Based Supervision (FBS), and the Community Health Information System (CHIS), alongside strengthened supportive supervision, mentorship, governance, accountability, and use of data for decision-making and continuous performance improvement.

Through this partnership, WIT supports Government efforts to improve equitable access to and effective utilization of quality Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) services. Priority areas include early pregnancy identification, Antenatal Care (ANC), access to a broad Family

Planning (FP) method mix, health facility delivery, Comprehensive Post-Abortion Care (cPAC), Postpartum Family Planning (PPFP), Postnatal Care (PNC), and other high-impact interventions. WIT’s communitybased approach further promotes systematic identification and prioritization of clients, individualized counselling, timely referral fulfillment, and customized follow-up to strengthen linkages between communities and health facilities and support continuity of care.

Central to this approach is the effective use of digital health information systems and quality data to strengthen community health service delivery, supportive supervision, performance monitoring, accountability, and evidence-informed decision-making. WIT therefore supports the Government to strengthen and operationalize an integrated Community Health Information System that enables timely collection, management, analysis, visualization, and use of community-level health information across different levels of the health system.

Building on previous program achievements, WIT is supporting the Government to further strengthen and institutionalize national CBHP systems and tools. This includes the appropriate integration of relevant evidence-based WISE tools, principles, and best practices into Government-owned systems and processes to strengthen data-driven, outcome-focused, and sustainable implementation of the CBHP across Zanzibar. Through these efforts, WIT aims to contribute to a more integrated, responsive, data-driven, and sustainable community health system that enables Government, frontline health teams, and communities to use timely and reliable information to improve service delivery, strengthen accountability, and ultimately achieve better and more equitable health outcomes, ensuring that no one is left behind.

SCOPE OF THE PROGRAM  

The WIT Zanzibar Program supports the Government to strengthen, institutionalize, and scale sustainable, data-driven and high-impact health interventions, including the integration of evidence-based WISE approaches within the national CBHP, to improve service delivery and contribute to better health outcomes across Zanzibar.

POSITION SUMMARY

WIT seeks to recruit a competent, results-oriented, and innovative Digital Health Information Systems Officer (DHISO) to provide technical and operational support for the strengthening, implementation, and effective utilization of digital health information systems within the WIT Zanzibar Program and the national CBHP.

Based in Zanzibar and working closely with the MOH and other relevant Government structures, the DHISO will support the effective implementation, integration, functionality, and continuous improvement of the CHIS. The DHISO will support the Government and program teams to ensure that community health data are timely, accurate, accessible, appropriately integrated, and effectively translated into actionable information for frontline service delivery, supportive supervision, performance monitoring, program improvement, and evidence-informed decision-making. The role will also support system interoperability, data quality, analytics and visualization, user capacity strengthening, and appropriate data protection and security.

The incumbent will work closely with relevant Government units and stakeholders and support the training, mentorship, and ongoing capacity strengthening of CHWs, Supervisors, and other system users to promote effective and sustainable utilization of digital health systems at national and subnational levels. The DHISO will report directly to the Program Lead/MEL Manager, and overall, to the Country Director. The incumbent will also provide appropriate technical and operational backstopping to other program functions, including Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC), as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

The successful candidate should demonstrate a strong combination of technical competence in digital health information systems, data management and analytics, public health programming, and the ability to work effectively with Government and multidisciplinary teams.

• Relevant academic and professional background: University degree in Health Informatics, Health Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, Public Health, or another closely related field. Relevant professional certification or advanced training in digital health, health information systems, data science, or related areas will be an added advantage.
• Digital health systems experience: Demonstrated hands-on experience in the implementation, administration, optimization, or user support of digital health information systems. Practical experience with platforms such as CHIS, DHIS-2, DHIS-2 Tracker, OpenMRS, KoboToolbox, CommCare, or comparable digital health platforms is highly desirable.
• Data management, analytics and visualization: Demonstrated ability to manage, analyse, interpret, and visualize health or program data and translate findings into meaningful information for program management and decision-making. Experience with Power BI, SQL, Tableau, or comparable data management and visualization tools will be an advantage.
• Systems integration and interoperability: Demonstrated understanding of digital health system architecture, workflows, interoperability, data quality, and integration across health information systems. Knowledge and practical understanding of data protection, privacy, security, and responsible management of health information are essential.
• Community health and public health experience: Experience supporting community health, RMNCAH, family planning, or related public health programs, with an understanding of how digital systems and data can strengthen frontline service delivery, supportive supervision, monitoring, and program performance.
• Government and stakeholder engagement: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with Government institutions, technical teams, implementing partners, and other stakeholders. Previous experience working or collaborating with relevant Ministry of Health structures in Zanzibar will be a strong advantage.
• Capacity strengthening and knowledge translation: Demonstrated ability to train, mentor, and support users of digital health systems and to communicate technical concepts, data, and system requirements clearly and practically to both technical and non-technical audiences. Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the close technical coordination with the Zanzibar Program Lead/MEL Manager and overall leadership of the Country Director, the DHISO will be responsible for the following:

1. Digital Health Systems Implementation and Optimization: Provide technical support to the Government and WIT Program for the effective implementation, functionality, maintenance, utilization, and continuous improvement of the CHIS and other relevant digital health systems supporting the national CBHP.
2. Systems Integration and Interoperability: Support the appropriate integration of evidence-based WISE tools, principles, and best practices within Government-owned digital health systems, ensuring effective interoperability, harmonization, and alignment of CHIS with DHIS2 and other relevant national health information systems, standards, workflows, and reporting requirements.
3. Data Quality, Analytics and Use: Support the establishment and functionality of appropriate datasets, workflows, dashboards, and data linkages; strengthen data quality, analysis, visualization, and interpretation; and promote timely use of health information for frontline service delivery, supportive supervision, performance monitoring, program improvement, and evidence-informed decisionmaking.
4. Government Technical Support and Coordination: Work closely with MOH and other Government units to provide responsive technical assistance, facilitate coordination, and ensure that digital health interventions remain aligned with Government priorities, directives, policies, standards, and national CBHP requirements.
5. Capacity Strengthening and User Support: Coordinate and support training, mentorship, and ongoing capacity strengthening of CHWs, FBS, and other relevant system users to promote effective, consistent, and sustainable utilization of CHIS and associated digital tools, including effective interpretation and use of data for action.
6. Digital Health Governance, Data Protection and System Quality: Promote compliance with applicable health information policies, data protection and privacy requirements, security standards, and ethical principles; support appropriate system reviews, quality assurance, and risk identification; and facilitate timely resolution or escalation of identified system and data-related issues.
7. Monitoring, Learning and Reporting: Monitor digital health system performance and utilization, identify implementation gaps, emerging needs, and opportunities for improvement, and provide timely, high-quality technical updates, analyses, recommendations, and reports to WIT Management, Government counterparts, and other relevant stakeholders.
8. Technical Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Proactively identify and support practical, usercentered, and scalable digital solutions that strengthen community health workflows, improve system usability and efficiency, enhance data use, and contribute to the institutionalization and sustainability of digital health within the national CBHP.
9. Cross-Program Support and Organizational Accountability: Collaborate effectively across WIT Program functions, provide appropriate technical and operational backstopping to the SBCC function and other program areas as required, uphold WIT’s values and standards, and undertake other relevant responsibilities assigned by the Supervisors.

KEY ATTRIBUTES FOR DIGITAL HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS OFFICER

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate the following key attributes:

1. Results Orientation and Accountability: Demonstrates a strong commitment to delivering highquality results within agreed timelines, takes ownership of responsibilities, follows through on commitments, and maintains a consistent focus on program objectives and measurable outcomes.
2. Analytical and Systems Thinking: Demonstrates strong analytical, conceptual, and systems-thinking capabilities, with the ability to interpret information from multiple sources, identify gaps and emerging issues, understand interdependencies, and translate evidence into practical and timely solutions.
3. Problem-Solving, Innovation and Adaptability: Proactively identifies challenges and opportunities, applies sound judgement and creativity in developing practical solutions, adapts effectively to evolving program and technology needs, and promotes continuous improvement.
4. Communication and Knowledge Translation: Communicates clearly and professionally with both technical and non-technical audiences and demonstrates the ability to translate complex digital health, system, and data concepts into simple, practical, and actionable information. Strong professional writing, presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills are essential.
5. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted, productive, and respectful working relationships with Government counterparts, program teams, implementing and development partners, system users, and other relevant stakeholders.
6. Teamwork and Capacity Strengthening: Works effectively within multidisciplinary teams, shares knowledge, supports and empowers colleagues and system users, and contributes to a collaborative, motivated, learning-oriented, and high-performing work environment.
7. Integrity and Professionalism: Demonstrates a high level of integrity, ethical conduct, professionalism, respect, and responsible handling of sensitive information, with a strong commitment to data privacy, confidentiality, organizational values, and the public interest.

How to apply

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit a cover letter explaining their motivation to work with Willows International, together with an updated CV and contact details for three professional references.

The cover letter should be addressed to: 

Country Director,

P O Box 2098,

Unguja, Zanzibar, Tanzania. 

WIT is an equal opportunity employer, and suitably qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications should be submitted by email no later than close of business on Tuesday, 25 August 2026 to [email protected] and copied to [email protected]. 

Applicants should clearly indicate the title of the position they are applying for in the email subject line.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.