Consultant for Capacity Building in Healthcare

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. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO aims to ensure that all people can attain the highest possible level of health, focusing on universal health coverage, health emergencies, and promoting healthier populations.

Job Overview:
The consultant will work under the guidance of the Coordinator of the Capacity and Leadership Strengthening unit (CAL) within the Data, Strategy and Innovation (DSI) Group. The primary function of this role is to provide technical support for the Pacific Open Learning Health Net (POLHN), which focuses on capacity building for healthcare workers in the Western Pacific Region. The consultant will be responsible for expanding and improving POLHN's learning offerings, ensuring alignment with national priorities, and enhancing partnerships with various stakeholders. This position requires a deep understanding of health workforce issues and the ability to engage with multiple partners to implement effective capacity-building initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Expand and improve learning offerings in POLHN: Coordinate and support the design, development, and delivery of online learning courses in collaboration with WHO technical units and learning production companies. Review and update POLHN learning spaces to ensure relevance and accessibility. Promote POLHN for wider access and use.
• Strengthen regional alignment of POLHN and country-level engagement: Provide technical support to align POLHN offerings with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) systems of Pacific Island Countries. Draft concept notes, meeting materials, presentations, briefs, and reports as required. Support country engagement, particularly with the POLHN project in Fiji, ensuring alignment with strategic direction and regional policies.
• Facilitate partnership and collaboration: Identify and establish partnerships with Member States, academic institutions, and relevant agencies. Facilitate collaboration between the WHO Academy and the region to enhance POLHN and capacity-building programs, including managing the POLHN learning space and exploring collaborative initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a Master's degree in education, public health, public policy, social science, or a related field from a recognized university. Desirable qualifications include training in health education, health workforce development, and health program management at national or international levels. Candidates should possess a good understanding of health workforce and health systems issues in the Western Pacific Region, knowledge of adult learning principles, and strong writing skills for developing reports and proposals. Technical and diplomatic skills to engage with various stakeholders are essential, along with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in a relevant field such as education, public health, public policy, or social science from an accredited institution. Additional training in health education or workforce development is desirable but not mandatory.

Experience:
A minimum of 7 years of experience in health education, capacity building, public health, and health policy is required. Experience working with international organizations, particularly WHO, and familiarity with the Pacific Island Countries in terms of capacity building and health policy is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate a proven track record in managing health education initiatives and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the Pacific region may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 11 months, from February 1 to December 31, 2026, with a remuneration range of USD 4,200 to USD 4,800 monthly, based on a 60% full-time equivalent (FTE). The consultant will work onsite at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific in Manila, Philippines, and may be required to travel as necessary to fulfill the deliverables of the consultancy. The consultant is responsible for fulfilling visa requirements and obtaining necessary support letters. WHO emphasizes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from underrepresented groups.