Roster for Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) – Database Administrator

Overview of the programme

WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans aiming at promoting access to and utilization of affordable and quality health services and improving financial protection against health-related risks.

The WHO Country Office for India supports the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in the design, development, and implementation of a web-enabled, real-time electronic information system known as the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP). IHIP serves as a centralized platform for integrating health data from various national health programmes and stakeholders.

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO

WHO’s mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage (ii) health related sustainable development goals (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.  

The South – East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 10 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India’s population of 1.4 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste), share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation. 

Mission of the WHO Country Office for India

The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life of the 1.4 billion people in India by supporting the government in eliminating vaccine preventable and other communicable diseases, reducing maternal and neonatal mortalities, promoting healthy lifestyles, addressing determinants of health, preparing and responding to health emergencies and strengthening health systems for universal health coverage.

The WHO Country Office for India’s Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) team currently supports and manages the following national platforms:

• Integrated Health information Platform (IHIP): Initially developed for the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), the platform now supports multiple modules across more than ten national health programmes.

• Health Management Information System (HMIS 2.0): A Government-to-Government (G2G) web-based system developed by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to monitor the National Health Mission and other health programmes, and to support evidence-based policy decisions and program interventions.

• Vaccine Preventable Disease Surveillance Information Management System (VSIMS): A system designed to support surveillance and management of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Description of Duties:

The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative, Deputy Head of WHO Country Office for India, direct supervision of National IHIP Coordinator and overall supervision of Team Leader – (CDS and WHE).

The role requires active hands-on database administration, performance tuning, and production support for IHIP and related systems.

Key Responsibilities

·         Install, configure, and maintain PostgreSQL database systems to ensure high availability and performance.

·         Monitor database performance and optimize queries, indexes, and configurations for faster response time.

·         Perform regular database maintenance, including backup, recovery, vacuuming, reindexing, and archiving.

·         Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve database issues in development and production environments.

·         Manage database security and user access, including roles, permissions, and data protection.

·         Design and update database structures based on application and reporting requirements.

·         Write and optimize SQL queries, stored procedures, and triggers to support application functionality.

·         Review and improve developer-written SQL code to ensure efficiency before deployment.

·         Manage database deployments across environments (development, staging, production) and support data migration.

·         Develop and maintain shell scripts and scheduled jobs on Linux/Ubuntu systems.

·         Ensure database backup and disaster recovery mechanisms are tested and functional.

·         Work closely with development teams to support application integration and API-based data exchange.

·         Provide technical support for database-related issues (L2/L3 level) and ensure minimal downtime.

·         Maintain technical documentation for database structure, changes, and procedures.

·         Support transition and handover of database systems to Government of India, including documentation, knowledge transfer, and coordination.

·         Perform any other database-related tasks as required to support IHIP systems.

Education:

Essential:

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Computer Applications or a related field

Desirable:

Post graduate degree in Computer Science or a related field

WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited institutions. The list

can be accessed through this link: http://www.whed.net/

Experience:

Essential:

At least 1 year of recent hands-on experience in managing production databases for a National level health information platform like IHIP, HMIS, RCH or similar, using:

• PostgreSQL on Linux/Ubuntu systems

• Multi-server or enterprise-level environments

Direct experience for such platforms in:

• Database installation, configuration, and maintenance

• Query optimization and performance tuning

• Backup and recovery operations

Candidates must have actively performed database administration tasks (not only coordination or supervision roles)

Desirable:

• Recent (last 2 years) hands-on experience in designing databases based on functional requirements and supporting reports/dashboards

• Experience supporting large-scale or Government production systems

• Familiarity with application stack (Java Spring Boot, Angular)

• Experience in database security, server configuration, and handling system vulnerabilities

Competencies:

• Teamwork

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

• Communication

• Producing results

• Moving forward in a changing environment

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

• Strong hands-on experience as a Database Administrator (DBA) — must be actively managing databases, not only supervising

• Hands-on expertise in PostgreSQL (installation, configuration, tuning, backup, recovery)

• Strong knowledge of:

  SQL, query optimization, indexing

  Database performance tuning and monitoring

  Data backup, recovery, and security

• Experience in writing stored procedures, functions, and triggers

• Working knowledge of database tools such as PGAdmin, DBeaver, or similar

• Hands-on experience with Linux/Ubuntu systems, including:

  Shell scripting

  Cron jobs

  Server and VM performance monitoring

• Understanding of API integrations and JSON data structures

• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve database issues independently in production environments

• Basic understanding of application stack (Java Spring Boot / Angular) to support development teams

Language Skills:

Essential: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Hindi / English, and working knowledge of at least one other national language will be an asset.

Remuneration:

Monthly remuneration is INR 1,57,449 taxable as per Indian laws and the appointment will be through Special Services Agreement (SSA) extendable subject to satisfactory performance and continuing need for the function. S/he will be posted at New Delhi. The position may require occasional travel to the states and districts.

The Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) – Database Administrator is a national of the country (India) where he/she is to serve, is recruited locally and is not subject to assignment to any official station outside the home country. Only Indian Nationals should apply.

Additional information:

1.    This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill similar positions at the same level.

2.    Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

3.    A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening.

4.    If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/ diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

5.    For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

6.    The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

7.    The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversityequity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

8.    Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process.

9.    Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to [email protected]

10.  An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.

11.  WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.

12.  WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

13.  Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries.

14.  Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].

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16.  This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.

17.  Any extension of appointment would be subject to programmatic requirements, performance of the incumbent and availability of funds.

18.  Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.