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The Pacific region is standing at a critical crossroads in the global fight against HIV, STIs, and Blood-Borne Viruses (BBVs). In 2026, the landscape of public health is being redefined by the integration of real-time data and interoperable digital systems. For senior IT professionals and health informaticians, the opportunity to architect a national digital surveillance framework offers a rare blend of technical challenge and profound social impact.
The World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), has announced a high-priority vacancy for a National Consultant: Information Technology and Digital Systems Specialist for HIV. Based in the vibrant hub of Suva, Fiji, this 11-month residency is a mission-critical appointment designed to modernize the nation’s response to an evolving HIV epidemic.
This position offers a competitive remuneration package of 118,528.92 FJD, positioning it as one of the premier technical consultancies in the Pacific. The organization is seeking a visionary specialist who can navigate the complexities of fragmented health systems—including PATISPlus, Tamanu, LIS, and mSupply—and weave them into a unified, secure, and resilient digital architecture.
In this role, the successful candidate will not only build systems but also build people. A cornerstone of the consultancy is the “twinning” and mentorship of national officers, ensuring that the digital transformation of Fiji’s health sector remains sustainable long after the contract concludes. If you are a specialist who thrives at the intersection of computer science and epidemiology, this role provides the platform to lead Fiji into a new era of evidence-based health governance.
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Digital Health Transformation in Fiji: WHO Seeking HIV IT & Systems Specialist for 2026 Residency
Background & Job Description (H2)
The Organization: WHO in the Western Pacific
The World Health Organization (WHO) remains the leading global authority on public health, directing and coordinating international health work within the United Nations system. In the Western Pacific, the WHO office in Fiji plays a strategic role in supporting small island developing states (SIDS) to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The organization’s mission is focused on helping nations detect, assess, and respond to health threats through robust surveillance and innovative technology.
Context: Fiji’s Evolving HIV Epidemic
Fiji is currently grappling with a significant shift in its HIV landscape. Recent epidemiological data indicates that new infections are increasingly linked to changing risk behaviors, including injecting drug use (IDU) and the rising use of methamphetamines. The lack of formalized harm reduction services, such as needle and syringe programs (NSPs), has created high-risk environments for rapid transmission.
Furthermore, the “late diagnosis” phenomenon remains a hurdle, often exacerbated by geographic barriers and persistent social stigma. To combat these challenges, the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is moving toward a decentralized, community-based model of care. However, for this model to succeed, it requires a digital “nervous system” capable of tracking patients across the continuum of care—from testing and diagnosis to treatment and viral suppression.
Role Purpose and Impact
The National Consultant will serve as the technical architect of this digital nervous system. The primary goal is to transform fragmented data into “actionable intelligence.” Currently, Fiji utilizes several independent platforms:
- PATISPlus: The national patient information system.
- Tamanu: A mobile-friendly electronic health record (EHR) system used for clinical management.
- mSupply: The logistics and supply chain management system for medicines.
- Laboratory Information Systems (LIS): For tracking diagnostic results.
The organization is seeking a specialist to ensure these systems “talk” to one another. By achieving interoperability, Fiji can monitor the HIV treatment cascade in real-time, identify service gaps, and respond to outbreaks with surgical precision.
Key Responsibilities (H2)
The consultancy is structured around six core outputs that span infrastructure design, governance, and human capacity building.
1. Strengthening Digital Infrastructure
The consultant will conduct a comprehensive mapping of existing HIV and BBV digital platforms. This is not merely a technical audit; it is a strategic assessment to identify where data “leaks” occur and where security protocols need fortification. The specialist will develop an integration plan using Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and secure data-sharing protocols.
2. Roadmap Development
Moving toward a fully integrated system requires a phased approach. The consultant will develop a roadmap outlining short-, medium-, and long-term actions. This ensures that the MHMS can prioritize immediate security fixes while planning for future cloud-based architectures or advanced data visualization dashboards.
3. Governance and Ethics
Health data is exceptionally sensitive, particularly concerning HIV and STIs. The consultant is responsible for developing institutional data-governance guidelines. This includes:
- Standardizing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for data entry and validation.
- Establishing ethical frameworks to ensure patient confidentiality and data protection.
- Defining user permissions and oversight mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.
4. System Interoperability and Linking
A significant portion of the work involves the “Detailed Linkage Plan.” The consultant will design data-exchange templates and technical specifications that allow automated data flow between PATISPlus and mSupply. This ensures that if a patient is diagnosed with HIV in the LIS, their treatment plan in Tamanu and their medication supply in mSupply are synchronized.
5. Integration Testing and Rollout
Before national deployment, the consultant will conduct rigorous integration testing. This phase involves documenting successful linkages, identifying remaining technical gaps, and ensuring “User Acceptance”—making sure that the health workers on the ground find the digital tools intuitive and helpful, rather than burdensome.
6. Mentorship and Sustainability (The Twinning Process)
Perhaps the most critical deliverable is Output 6. The consultant will “twin” with the MHMS Digital Health Officer. This mentorship involves structured capacity building in system administration and troubleshooting. The goal is to move from a consultant-led model to a nation-owned model, ensuring that the systems can be maintained by Fijian experts independently.
Qualifications (H2)
The organization is seeking a high-level technical expert who understands both the “code” and the “context” of Pacific health.
Education & Certification (H3)
- Essential: A Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology (IT), Computer Science, or Health Informatics.
- Desirable: A Master’s degree in a related field is a significant advantage. Specialized certifications in Database Management, Cybersecurity, or Cloud Architecture (AWS/Azure) will strengthen an application.
Experience (H3)
- Professional Longevity: At least 5 years of hands-on experience in developing, integrating, and managing health information systems.
- Domain Expertise: Demonstrated success in system design and data interoperability. Experience working with the Fijian Government or the UN system is highly desirable.
- Technical Portfolio: Candidates should have experience with platforms like DHIS2, and a deep understanding of API-based system linkages.
- Contextual Knowledge: Practical experience implementing digital health solutions in the Pacific or similar low-resource, geographically dispersed contexts is preferred.
Why Apply for This Position (H2) ⭐ ORIGINAL CONTENT
This consultancy is a rare opportunity to leave a lasting professional legacy in one of the world’s most beautiful and strategically important regions.
1. Architect a National Legacy
Most IT roles involve maintaining existing systems or building commercial products. In this role, you are building the national digital architecture for an entire country’s HIV response. Ten years from now, the systems you design will still be protecting lives and ensuring that health equity is a reality in Fiji.
2. Technical Pioneering in the Pacific
Fiji is currently the regional leader in Pacific digital health. By taking this role, you position yourself at the forefront of “South-South” technical cooperation. The models you build for Fiji may eventually be replicated across other Pacific Island Countries (PICs), making you a regional authority in Pacific Health Informatics.
3. High-Level Professional Networking
As a WHO consultant, you will work at the intersection of international diplomacy and technical innovation. You will collaborate with the National HIV Outbreak and Cluster Response Taskforce (N-HOCRT) and UNAIDS, building a professional network that spans global health leadership and national governance.
4. A Meaningful Twinning Experience
The “twinning” model is a highly rewarding way to work. Unlike “drop-in” consultancies where you leave once the software is installed, this role allows you to mentor a local Digital Health Officer. Seeing a colleague gain the competencies to manage the system you built provides a unique level of job satisfaction.
Application Tips & Insights (H2) ⭐ ORIGINAL CONTENT
The WHO selection process is rigorous and highly competitive. To stand out, you must demonstrate a balance of technical brilliance and cultural intelligence.
1. Tailor Your Portfolio to “Interoperability”
Fiji does not need a new database; it needs its existing databases to work together. In your CV, don’t just list the languages you code in. Instead, highlight specific instances where you successfully integrated two disparate platforms (e.g., linking a lab system to a patient registry). Use terms like “API endpoints,” “HL7 standards,” and “middleware.”
2. Emphasize “Data Ethics”
When dealing with HIV in small, tight-knit communities like those in Fiji, confidentiality is the #1 priority. If a system is perceived as “leaky,” people will stop coming for tests. In your application, explain how you have implemented Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and data encryption to protect sensitive health information.
3. The “Pacific Context” Advantage
If you have worked in environments with limited bandwidth, intermittent power, or remote geographic locations, highlight this. The “Tamanu” system is popular in the Pacific precisely because it works offline. Show that you understand how to design systems that are “resilient” to the logistical challenges of island life.
4. Prepare for the “Written Test”
The job notice mentions that a written test may be used for screening. Expect questions on:
- Designing a basic API-based data exchange flow.
- Drafting a security protocol for HIV data.
- Calculating surveillance metrics to test system logic.
For example, you might be asked to ensure the system accurately calculates the linkage to care rate:
$$L = \frac{C}{D} \times 100$$
Where:
- $L$ is the Linkage to Care rate.
- $C$ is the number of patients who initiated ART (Anti-Retroviral Therapy).
- $D$ is the number of patients with a new HIV diagnosis.
Additional Information (H2)
- Remuneration: 118,528.92 FJD (Fijian Dollars) for the 11-month period.
- Contract Duration: 11 months (Start: 1 March 2026; End: 31 January 2027).
- Location: Suva, Fiji, with expected travel within the Fiji divisions.
- Medical Requirements: A medical certificate of fitness is mandatory.
- Work Arrangement: Full-time external consultancy.
- Ethical Standards: WHO has a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. A background check will be conducted.
- Smoke-Free Policy: WHO does not recruit smokers or users of tobacco.
How to Apply (H2)
The application window is narrow, and the organization is moving quickly to fill this residency.
- Review System Settings: Ensure your device time/date is correct, as the deadline (Feb 5, 2026, 12:59 AM) reflects your local settings.
- Prepare Documentation: You will need scanned copies of your degrees. WHO only recognizes degrees from institutions listed in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). Verify your university at whed.net.
- Vaccination Confirmation: Successful candidates must confirm they are vaccinated as required by WHO (including Yellow Fever proof for entry into certain regions).
- Submission: Apply through the official WHO Careers portal using the reference 2600199.
Official Link: WHO Careers – Vacancy 2600199
Frequently Asked Questions (H2) ⭐ ORIGINAL CONTENT
1. Is this role open to international applicants?
The title “National Consultant” typically implies a preference for Fijian nationals or those with existing rights to work in Fiji. However, the WHO often uses these notices to identify “similar consultancies at the same level,” and experts with specific Pacific experience are encouraged to inquire if they believe they offer unique technical value.
2. What are the specific platforms mentioned?
Tamanu is an open-source EHR designed for the Pacific; mSupply is the standard for pharmaceutical supply chains in the region; and PATISPlus is Fiji’s bespoke national patient registry. Proficiency in these is a “desirable” skill but the ability to integrate any HIS is the “essential” skill.
3. Does the WHO provide housing or relocation for this consultancy?
As an external consultant role, the remuneration of 118,528.92 FJD is typically “all-inclusive.” The consultant is responsible for their own taxes, social security, and housing within Suva.
4. Will there be travel to remote islands?
Yes. The role expects travel within Fiji to divisional surveillance offices. This is crucial for understanding how data clerks and health workers use the systems in different contexts, from the urban center of Suva to more remote maritime divisions.
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