Terms of Reference (TOR) for a Local Health Principal Architecture service for the Rwanda Health Information Exchange (RHIE) infrastructure:

1. Project Background

ICAP Rwanda through the Enhancing Sustainable and Integrated Health, Strategic Information and Laboratory Systems for Quality Comprehensive HIV Services (Rwanda TA) Project, is providing financial support to the Government of Rwanda Through the Ministry of Health to enhance Rwanda's healthcare services through technology, the Ministry of Health (MoH) seeks to optimize the Rwanda Health Information Exchange (RHIE) infrastructure and therefore seeks to hire an experienced Local E-Health Principal Architect service provider to spearhead this initiative, focusing on performance, interoperability, security, and privacy enhancements.

2. Position Details

• Title: Local E-Health Principal Architecture Services
• Type: Services
• Duration: 120 days

3. SMART Objectives

• Specific: To review, revise, document, and optimize the existing architecture of the Rwanda Health Information Exchange (RHIE) to improve performance, ensure robust privacy and security, and enhance interoperability.
• Measurable: Deliver comprehensive documentation on current RHIE performance, privacy, security, and interoperability issues within the first two months, followed by a detailed optimized RHIE architecture plan.
• Achievable: Provide actionable recommendations and a step-by-step guide for implementing the optimized architecture, considering the current technology and infrastructure.
• Relevant: Ensure the new architecture aligns with global best standards and the MoH's vision for a patient-centric, efficient healthcare system.
• Time-bound: Complete the project within 120 days, with specific milestones to track progress.

4. Scope of Work

Activities:

• Conduct a detailed analysis of the existing RHIE system.
• Identify and document performance challenges and interoperability issues.
• Review and document privacy and security measures, identifying potential risks.
• Design an optimized architecture framework for RHIE.
• Define the minimum requirements for digital health solutions to be recognized by the MoH.

Key Deliverables:

• Deliverable 1 (30 days): Comprehensive report on the current state of RHIE, including performance, privacy, security, and interoperability issues.
• Deliverable 2 (60 days): An optimized architecture framework for RHIE with a step-by-step implementation guide.
• Deliverable 3 (30 days): A set of minimum digital health solution requirements for MoH recognition.

Milestones:

• Milestone 1 -30 days: Complete the analysis of the current RHIE system and issue the first deliverable.
• Milestone 2 - 60 days: Develop the optimized RHIE architecture and issue the second deliverable.
• Milestone 3 -30 days: Finalize the digital health solution requirements and ensure all documentation is completed and approved.

5. Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Health Informatics, or related field, with a minimum of 10 years of experience in system architecture.
• Certification as a Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) is mandatory.
• Proven track record in designing scalable, secure, and robust software architectures.
• Expertise in programming languages, cloud platforms, containerization, and orchestration tools.
• Deep understanding of healthcare standards, data security, and interoperability frameworks.

6. Evaluation Criteria

• Quality of Work: The thoroughness, accuracy, and relevancy of the analysis and documentation provided.
• Timeliness: Adherence to the set milestones and delivery of deliverables within the agreed timeframe.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Effectiveness in engaging with MoH staff, RHIE developers, and other stakeholders.

7. Report Submission procedures.

• The Service provider will report directly to the Digital Health Directorate within the MoH and will provide monthly progress reports and a final comprehensive report upon completion to MoH and a copy of the reports to ICAP Rwanda.
• The MOH team will review all outputs/deliverables and their comments shall be communicated to the Service provider within 7 days of submission of the output/deliverable.
• These TOR outlines a structured and measurable approach for the consultancy role, ensuring the successful optimization of the RHIE architecture to meet the MoH's objectives and global best practices.

8. Application:

Interested applicants should submit their technical and financial proposal, CV, certificates as well as any supporting documents to ci2288@cumc.columbia.edu then copy mpk2150@cumc.columbia.edu and sm2997@cumc.columbia.edu

Along with the technical and financial proposal, the applicant should enclose a portfolio of previous work undertaken in developing IT solutions for development issues.

 Deadline for submitting applications is Monday, May 6^th, 2024, at 4:00PM.