Consultant for National Nursing and Midwifery Policy Development

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. With over 7,000 employees in more than 150 countries, WHO works in various areas including disease prevention, health systems strengthening, and health policy development. The organization operates globally, focusing on improving health outcomes and ensuring universal health coverage (UHC).

Job Overview:
The consultant will provide essential technical and coordination support to the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Cambodia in the development of the National Nursing and Midwifery Policy (NNMP). This role involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including the World Health Organization (WHO), to assess existing health workforce policies and identify barriers to their implementation. The consultant will focus on enhancing nursing and midwifery education, career pathways, and leadership roles, which are crucial for advancing UHC in Cambodia. The position requires a comprehensive understanding of the current health challenges, including non-communicable diseases and mental health issues, and how they relate to primary health care (PHC). The consultant will also ensure that the policy development process considers budget constraints and resource allocation to facilitate realistic implementation of the proposed strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key tasks, including: facilitating and coordinating the NNMP development process under the guidance of MoH, DHS, and WHO; engaging in consultative meetings and workshops; reviewing existing nursing policy documents and regulatory frameworks; conducting a rapid assessment of the current nursing and midwifery situation; identifying areas for improvement in nursing policy; ensuring alignment with global and regional health frameworks; drafting the outline and full draft of the NNMP; assisting with translations and reporting; and performing other relevant duties as assigned by WHO Health System Coordinator and Technical Officers. Specific deliverables include a draft outline of the revised national nursing strategy, stakeholder consultations, and a final draft of the revised nursing strategy with actionable recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of nursing education, service delivery, and workforce governance in Cambodia. They should have the ability to analyze data relevant to health workforce planning and nursing development, as well as interpret policy documents and strategic frameworks. Strong drafting and technical writing skills are essential for creating policy documents. Excellent coordination, facilitation, and communication skills are necessary to engage with diverse stakeholders effectively. Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools is also required.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, health policy, or public health as essential qualifications. An advanced degree in health workforce development, health systems, or a related field is desirable, indicating a higher level of expertise in the relevant areas.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of working experience in health system strengthening and health workforce development. Proven experience in policy development and conducting stakeholder consultations is desirable, along with experience in health workforce policy and planning, which would be considered an advantage.

Languages:
Good oral and written English language skills are mandatory for this position. Proficiency in Khmer would be beneficial but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 3 months, from September to December 2025, with a remuneration range of USD 2,900 to USD 3,300 per month. The consultant will be required to travel within Cambodia for field visits as necessary. This vacancy may also be used to identify candidates for similar consultancies at the same level. Candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test may be part of the screening process. WHO emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, and all candidates must adhere to the highest ethical standards.