National Digital System Consultant

LonAdd HR Consultancy Plc (www.lonadd.com) is a Recruitment & Outsourcing Company based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with branch offices in Dukem, Hawassa and Bahir Dar. We are looking to recruit a qualified candidate on behalf of our client.

BACKGROUND

Ethiopia faces a complex humanitarian context driven by recurrent conflict, climate shocks, disease outbreaks and chronic underinvestment in essential systems. Frequent droughts and floods have worsened food insecurity and malnutrition, while limited access to safe water, sanitation and health services increases the risk of outbreaks such as cholera, measles and malaria. These overlapping crises continue to strain national and subnational systems, leaving millions—especially women and children—without reliable access to essential health, nutrition and WASH services.

Within the federal system, Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs) are responsible for preparedness and emergency response. However, many subnational institutions face constraints in financing, technical capacity and operational systems, limiting their ability to respond effectively. Supply chain challenges—particularly weak last-mile delivery, inadequate storage, and security risks for critical commodities such as RUTF, therapeutic milk, medicines and water treatment supplies—are further compounded by fragmented distribution systems and parallel logistics arrangements.

Client Ethiopia operates a multi-tiered supply chain covering global procurement, international logistics, central warehousing and nationwide distribution. While upstream functions are well managed through SAP ERP—including forecasting, procurement and central storage—the downstream system remains fragmented.

Distribution to regional, zonal, woreda and service delivery levels is characterized by siloed information systems, weak integration and limited data visibility. This fragmentation reduces efficiency, constrains coordination and limits real-time tracking of supplies, particularly in last-mile delivery.

Digital System Land scape

The current digital ecosystem comprises multiple parallel systems operating in isolation:

• DAGU - Facility-level LMIS for essential medicines and general health supplies
• mBRANA - Mobile vaccine and cold-chain logistics management
• SAP ERP - Client's upstream procurement, warehousing and financial management system
• DHIS2 - National Health Management Information System
• LMSM - Last Mile Supply Monitoring for program supplies
• EPSS Systems - Various internal logistics and inventory management platforms

These systems were developed independently and at different times, resulting in limited interoperability. For nutrition commodities such as RUTF, visibility drops significantly once stock leaves the Client warehouse, as DAGU does not track commodities at regional, zonal and woreda warehouse levels. This creates a structural visibility gap precisely where accountability is most needed.

JUSTIFICATION

Given the complexity of Ethiopia's supply chain architecture and the fragmented digital ecosystem, a rapid assessment is a critical first step. The National Digital Systems Consultant will lead the assessment of the digital ecosystem, interoperability requirements and solution architecture to define a fit-for-purpose pathway for downstream supply chain visibility and warehouse operational readiness.

Objectives, Purpose & Expected Results

To conduct a rapid, structured and evidence-based assessment of the digital ecosystem, interoperability landscape and solution architecture for nutrition, health and WASH supply chains in Ethiopia, with particular emphasis on regional, zonal and woreda levels where visibility is currently weakest.

Specific Objectives

Support the Team Leader to:

• Map the existing digital supply chain and health information systems, including DAGU, DHIS2, mBRANA, LMSM, SAP ERP and other relevant platforms.
• Assess the functionality, coverage, data architecture, limitations and interoperability potential of existing systems.
• Evaluate system architecture, scalability, security, data quality and integration mechanisms.
• Identify applicable standards, benchmarks and priority use cases to define business, functional, technical and reporting requirements.
• Assess digital literacy, system readiness and capacity gaps among users at regional, zonal and woreda levels.
• Evaluate suitable electronic logistics management solutions against operational and technical requirements, including Gavi Target System Standards (TSS).
• Design future-state enterprise systems architecture and interoperability framework across national systems.
• Produce a validated set of findings, including recommended solution architecture, priority actions and key implementation prerequisites.

Description Of The Assignment

The main role of the National Digital Systems Consultant is to lead all digital ecosystem assessments, interoperability analysis, systems review and solution architecture design.

Délivrables / Reporting Rééquipements

Major Tasks

• Support site selection; assist in developing digital assessment tools
• Document existing systems and digital applications (DAGU, MOH -DHIS2, mBRANA, LMSM, SAP)
• Assess current system architecture and scalability
• Assess quality and standardization of master data; evaluate data completeness
• Evaluate digital literacy and training needs
• Assess system security, APIs, and integration mechanisms
• Design future-state enterprise architecture, interoperability framework across national systems, and assess hosting and infrastructure deployment options
• Evaluate suitable LMIS solutions against Gavi TSS requirements
• Contribute to validation workshops and final reporting
• Provide daily progress reports to Team Leader
• Contribute to weekly progress reports

Délivrables

• Contribution to Inception Report and Assessment Tools Package
• Digital Ecosystem Assessment Report (systems inventory, functionality, limitations)
• System Architecture and Scalability Assessment
• Data Quality and Master Data Assessment Report
• Digital Literacy and Training Needs Assessment
• Interoperability Assessment and Data Exchange Capability Report
• System Security and API Review Report
• Enterprise Architecture, Interoperability Framework, and Hosting Options Assessment
• Solution Options Analysis against Gavi TSS
• Contribution to Final Integrated Assessment Report
• Daily Field Activity Logs
• Weekly Input Report

Location and Duration

The consultant will collaborate with all the relevant teams within the Ministry of Health, EPSS, Regional Health Bureaus, Client country office/Field office, CSO partners, and other stakeholders for coordinated assessment and best solution selection across Ethiopia. The duration of the contract is for 3 months.

Reporting Line:

This position will report primarily to the Consultant Team Leader deployed by Client. The National Digital System Consultant will be under the guidance and supervision of the Team Leader Consultant deployed by Client Nutrition Section.

Project Management

• A third-party HR firm will manage all the administrative issues and aspects based on the HR’s policies and procedures.
• All remuneration must be within the contract agreement through the third-party HR firm.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both the third-party HR firm and the consultant.
• Travel will be facilitated after the travel request is approved by the consultant’s supervisor and managed by the third-party HR firm.
• Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on Client budget.

General Conditions: Procedures And Logistics

• The Consultant TA will be entitled to DSA at the appropriate rate while only away from her/his duty station.
• Client will provide vehicle rental support to third-party personnel, provided that their travel is approved on the monthly travel plan. The consultant is responsible for signing the log sheet daily and must ensure that the vehicle is not used for personal purposes.
• Third-Party personnel will be provided a monthly mobile top-up by the third-party company, but should provide his/her own materials such as office supplies. Client will not provide computers.
• Third-Party personnel will receive monthly payments upon submission of a monthly activity report, submitted and certified by Client.
• Third-Party personnel in practice will not have a direct right to access Client resources.
• Domestic flight costs, the most economical and direct route, necessary for duty travels, would be covered by Client. Unless authorized, the third-party company will not purchase tickets for the Third-Party personnel.
• The consultant will use his/her own materials, i.e., computer/laptop, phone etc.
• Payment will be made monthly upon completion and submission of the monthly report.

Specific Competencies, Qualifications and Responsibilities

Educational background and minimum experience

• Advanced university degree (Master's) in Information Systems, Computer Science, Health Informatics, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in digital health, information systems, or LMIS implementation in Ethiopia.
• Strong knowledge of Ethiopia's digital health ecosystem, including DAGU, DHIS2, mBRANA, LMSM, SAP ERP, and the Ministry of Health's Enterprise Architecture.
• Proven experience in interoperability assessment, API design, system integration, and security/data privacy frameworks.
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Amharic is an asset.

Competencies and level of proficiency required

• Deep understanding of logistics management information systems (LMIS), including system design, deployment and optimization within public health contexts.
• Strong working knowledge of national platforms such as DAGU, DHIS2, mBRANA, LMSM and SAP ERP, as well as the Ministry of Health's enterprise architecture and governance frameworks.
• Proven ability to assess and design interoperable systems, including API development, data exchange standards, system integration patterns and middleware solutions.
• Solid expertise in data governance, data standards, cybersecurity principles and privacy frameworks applicable to health information systems.
• Ability to define technical architectures, functional specifications and scalable digital solutions aligned with business requirements and national strategies.
• Strong capacity to conduct system assessments, analyze complex architectures, identify gaps and provide actionable, evidence-based recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with government entities, technical partners and implementing agencies, facilitating alignment across multiple stakeholders.
• Experience in planning, coordinating and overseeing digital health or LMIS implementation projects, ensuring timely and quality delivery.
• Excellent ability to translate technical findings into clear documentation, reports and presentations for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Good understanding of national information systems, governance structures and operational constraints, particularly in decentralized and resource-limited settings.