Consultant for NCD Training Needs Assessment

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, WHO operates in more than 150 countries, focusing on various health issues including communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), health systems, and emergency response. The organization works closely with member states and partners to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes globally.

Job Overview:
The consultant will provide technical support for conducting a context-specific NCD training needs assessment in Fiji, as well as creating learning materials for NCD prevention and management tailored for health workers in Fiji and the Pacific region. This role is crucial in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by ensuring that health workers are equipped with the necessary competencies to meet evolving health demands. The consultant will collaborate with various units within the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific and will be involved in the Pacific Open Learning Health Net (POLHN) initiative, which aims to enhance continuous professional development for health workers in Pacific Island Countries. The consultancy will focus on assessing training needs and developing online courses to address identified gaps in NCD competencies among health professionals.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a comprehensive NCD training needs assessment in Fiji, including developing a concept note and detailed plan outlining objectives, research questions, methodology, and interview questionnaires.
• Produce a needs assessment report that identifies competency gaps among nurses and community health workers, practical constraints, and priority training topics, particularly focusing on the Northern Division of Fiji.
• Draft concept notes and supporting documents for the production of online NCD courses, ensuring alignment with WHO Academy’s quality review process.
• Develop technical learning materials for two online NCD courses tailored to the Fiji and Pacific context, incorporating feedback from stakeholders and WHO teams.
• Arrange and conduct meetings with stakeholders to gather inputs for course improvement.
• Develop an implementation plan for blended on-site training linked to the online courses.
• Provide technical and operational support for the delivery of blended training in collaboration with WHO teams and local partners.
• Liaise with the Fiji government and professional councils to ensure the contextual relevance and sustainability of the NCD courses.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a university degree in medicine, public health, public policy, social science, or a related field from a recognized institution. Desirable qualifications include an advanced degree (Master’s) in the aforementioned fields and certification or training in NCD management, adult learning, curriculum development, or online learning content development for health workers. The consultant must possess strong technical skills and knowledge in NCD policy and health service delivery in Fiji and the Pacific region, as well as good writing skills for developing concept notes, reports, and proposals.

Educational Background:
The position requires a university degree in a relevant field such as medicine, public health, public policy, or social science. An advanced degree (Master’s) is preferred, along with certifications in NCD management or related areas. Educational qualifications must be from institutions recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The consultant should have at least two years of experience in non-communicable diseases (NCD), capacity building, health workforce development, and public health. Desirable experience includes working with WHO or other UN agencies in a multicultural environment, as well as experience in Fiji and Pacific Island Countries in the areas of NCDs and capacity building.

Languages:
Fluency in the English language is essential for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the Pacific region may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is locally recruited and based in Fiji, with an expected duration of 6 months at 80% FTE (4 working days a week). The consultancy fee is FJD10,744.40 per month, excluding travel costs. This role is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by Fijian nationals. Candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test may be used for screening. The consultant is expected to travel within Fiji as necessary for the deliverables, with travel arrangements managed by WHO. The position requires adherence to WHO's ethical standards and commitment to diversity and inclusion.