Radiotherapy Service Planning and Capacity Building Consultant

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 health systems strengthening, disease prevention, and health promotion.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to provide specialized technical and strategic support to WHO Afghanistan and relevant national institutions in planning and implementing sustainable radiotherapy services. The consultant will assess the current radiotherapy landscape in Afghanistan, review progress against previous recommendations, identify gaps, and develop actionable recommendations related to service delivery, infrastructure, equipment, workforce, quality management, and radiation safety. This role is crucial as cancer is becoming a significant public health issue in Afghanistan, and access to comprehensive cancer care, including radiotherapy, is limited. The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), and other stakeholders to translate recommendations into a feasible approach for strengthening radiotherapy services, which are among the first of their kind in the country.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct an updated radiotherapy situation assessment, identifying service delivery gaps, operational constraints, and risks.
• Review national strategies, plans, and technical reports related to radiotherapy and cancer care.
• Map existing and planned infrastructure and assess workforce availability and competency requirements.
• Develop a phased approach to strengthening radiotherapy services, including recommendations for service scope, implementation phases, and infrastructure needs.
• Assess workforce development needs and recommend training and mentoring approaches.
• Facilitate coordination among various stakeholders, including national institutions and international partners.
• Provide guidance on quality management, radiation safety, and sustainability of radiotherapy services.
• Prepare monthly technical reports and present findings to relevant stakeholders.
• Conduct a final technical briefing and handover to WHO Afghanistan and national counterparts.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in health sciences, radiotherapy services, or a related field.
• Postgraduate qualification in strategic management, health-system management, or organizational transformation.
• Advanced professional training in radiotherapy services and health-technology implementation.
• Demonstrated experience in radiotherapy service planning and implementation, particularly in resource-constrained settings.
• Experience in international technical cooperation and capacity building.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in health sciences, radiotherapy services, radiation-based treatment technologies, or a related field. A postgraduate qualification in strategic management or health-system management is also required. Additionally, advanced professional training in radiotherapy services and quality assurance is essential for this role.

Experience:
Candidates should have 5 to 10 years of relevant professional experience in radiotherapy, medical physics, or radiation-based healthcare technologies. International experience is mandatory, with progressively responsible roles within an international organization, preferably within the United Nations system. Experience in radiotherapy service planning, capacity building, and stakeholder coordination is essential, along with a background in preparing technical assessments and strategic plans.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of local languages spoken in Afghanistan would be an asset. Proficiency in additional languages may enhance a candidate's application but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is a full-time position requiring 20 days of work per month for six months, starting from November 1, 2026, to April 30, 202

• The selected consultant will work under the supervision of the Public Health Officer and the WHO Emergency Team Lead. The position is open to candidates regardless of disability status, gender identity, or other personal characteristics, and WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Candidates must provide proof of vaccination as required by WHO before undertaking the assignment.