Senior Technical Health Informatics/Data Scientist, DOS LEAP Global - Nigeria

ZemiTek LLC•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Senior Technical Health Informatics/Data Scientist will play a pivotal role in supporting the Nigeria Ministry of Health and relevant government agencies to strengthen and integrate national health data systems in alignment with the 2025 US-Nigeria Health Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The Senior Technical Health Informatics/Data Scientist will support the Ministry of Health in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) service delivery in full alignment with the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives. Embedded within the Nigeria Ministry of Health, the Data Scientist in coordination with Data.Fi will provide strategic oversight, technical leadership, and capacity building to advance the country’s digital health architecture and data-driven decision-making. The primary focus of the Senior Technical Health Informatics/Data Scientist will be to provide technical leadership and capacity building to ensure the successful implementation of integrated, cost-effective, and sustainable data systems for health. This position is responsible for leading the implementation and integration of digital health solutions—including electronic health records (EHRs), laboratory information management systems (LIMS), health commodity inventory management systems (NHLMIS), and disease surveillance platforms (SORMAS, DHIS2)—across all levels of the health system. The Data Scientist will oversee the management and analysis of large, complex datasets spanning multiple disease areas (HIV, TB, Malaria, MNCH, GHS, Polio, and Routine immunization), ensuring data quality, interoperability, and real-time reporting to support program monitoring, evaluation, and policy development. By collaborating with government counterparts, implementing partners, and donors, the Data Scientist will help drive the transition to government-led data management and reporting, strengthen data-driven decision-making in support of the America First Global Health Strategy (AFGHS), Nigeria’s progress toward GON’s national strategy to accelerate health coverage and the achievement of key health outcome and process metrics outlined in the MOU.

Requirements

Advanced degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Global Health, Data Science, Statistics, or a related field.
Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in public health data management, analytics, and health information systems in Nigeria or similar contexts.
Demonstrated expertise in data management, modeling, and big data analytics.
Experience with the management and integration of national health information systems (EHRs, LIMS, NHLMIS, SORMAS, DHIS2).
Minimum 2 years’ direct experience managing or advising public health programs.
Proven leadership in designing, implementing, and evaluating public health data systems at scale.
Strong experience engaging with government agencies, donors, and international partners.
Knowledge of disease control initiatives, public health interventions, and emergency response systems.
Excellent leadership, communication, and team management skills.
Excellent written and oral communication in English; proficiency in relevant local language(s) is an advantage.
Good computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office programs
Excellent organizational, planning, negotiating and problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with USG funded public health programs is an advantage.
Technical experience working in Nigeria and knowledge of local culture is a plus.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Technical Guidance
Provide technical leadership in shaping Nigeria’s health data management and analytics strategy, identifying high-value opportunities for data-driven impact in line with the MOU’s digital health vision.
Guide the translation of complex analytical insights into actionable recommendations for government and partners.
Lead the implementation and integration of NDHI-aligned digital medical record solutions, laboratory information management systems, and health commodity inventory management systems across all levels of the health system.
Oversee data governance, standards, and quality assurance initiatives to drive organizational data maturity and compliance with national and international standards.
Lead capacity-building initiatives to establish and sustain integrated data systems for diverse disease areas, supporting the transition to government ownership and management.
Data Analysis & Modelling
Conduct exploratory and advanced data analysis to identify trends, correlations, and predictive insights across disease programs.
Support the development and validation of statistical and machine learning models to inform program planning, resource allocation, and policy development.
Oversee the integration and interoperability of data from multiple disease areas and platforms (e.g., CARD, APPR, DHIS2, NDARS), ensuring data completeness, accuracy, and reliability.
Data Visualization & Reporting
Lead the development and optimization of dashboards, data visualizations, and reporting tools to communicate insights and support evidence-based decision-making.
Oversee the reporting of key health indicators and program outcomes on national and partner platforms, ensuring alignment with MOU metrics and requirements.
Health Data Systems Integration
Support the integration and interoperability of health data systems (EHRs, LIMS, NHLMIS, SORMAS, DHIS2) in line with the Nigeria Digital Health Architecture (NDHA) and MOU commitments.
Ensure seamless data exchange and real-time reporting across platforms, supporting national and subnational program monitoring and evaluation.
Research, Learning, and Performance Assessment
Provide technical expertise in research, learning, and innovation, supporting the adoption of new tools, frameworks, and strategies for continuous improvement.
Oversee the Publications and Evidence Generation Community of Practice (CoP) to advance research and evidence dissemination goals.
Lead the implementation of standardized performance assessment approaches, including Data Quality Assurance (DQA) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), to optimize program outcomes and quality of care.
Program Monitoring & Reporting
Oversee the collection, analysis, and use of data for program monitoring, reporting, and policy development, ensuring alignment with MOU outcome and process metrics.
Collaborate with national agencies (DPRS, NASCP, NTBLCP, NMEP, NPHCDA, NCDC) and implementing partners to strengthen integrated health data systems.
Support the preparation of reports, briefings, and presentations for the Health Assistance Coordinator and other stakeholders.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)
Monitor key performance metrics across disease areas, document lessons learned and disseminate success stories and innovations.
Ensure the quality, efficiency, and impact of disease programs, supporting the achievement of MOU targets and UHC goals.