National Consultant - Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) Capacity Building for Fiji and Pacific Island Countries

Overview

Provide technical support for NCD capacity building in Fiji and the Pacific.

You have:

• University degree in medicine, public health, public policy, social science or related field from a recognized university
• At least two (2) years of experience in NCD, capacity building, health workforce and public health
• Fluency in the English language
• Advanced degree (Master’s) in medicine, public health, public policy, social science or related field from a recognized university
• Certification and/or training in NCD management, adult learning, curriculum development, or development of online learning content for health workers
• Experience working with WHO and/or other UN agencies in a related field, and within a multicultural working environment
• Experience working in Fiji and PICs in the areas of NCDs and capacity building

Purpose of consultancy

Under the guidance of the Team Coordinator - Pacific Non Communicable Disease and Health through Life Couse Programme (PNH), Division of Pacific Technical Support (PNH/DPS), and in collaboration with Capacity and Leadership Strengthening unit, Division of Data, Strategy and Innovation (CAL/DSI), WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific Region, the consultant will provide technical support to conducting a context-specific NCD training needs assessment in Fiji, and creating learning materials for NCD prevention and management for Fiji and Pacific health worker.

Background

Achieving Universal health coverage (UHC) requires a capable, health and care workforce. Countries in the Western Pacific Region face evolving demands, and strengthening the competencies of health workers, managers and policymakers is therefore a core priority of WHO’s work in the Region.

Within the DSI Group, the CAL team works with Member States, WHO country offices, headquarters and partners to design and implement capacity-building initiatives for the health workforce. One such initiative is the Pacific Open Learning Health Net (POLHN), which has historically supported the continuous professional development (CPD) of health workers in Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs) by providing access to quality learning opportunities that address the region’s unique geographical and resource challenges. POLHN was relaunched in 2025 through the WHO Academy’s online learning platform after its temporary closure in 2023.

Now, with support from the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), this project expands POLHN’s work in Fiji to increase access to practical NCD learning for the health workforce, particularly nurses. The project includes five key components: 1) consultation workshops, 2) need assessment to inform competency needs and online course requirements, 3) developing online NCD courses for POLHN, 4) fellowship support for advanced online degree program on NCD, and 5) strengthening CPD system and support POLHN course accreditation.

The objective of this consultancy is to support activity 2 (needs assessment) and activity 3 (online NCD courses development for POLHN). The consultant will work closely with relevant units in WPRO and WHO Representative Office for South Pacific.

Deliverables

Job Description

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

Output 1: NCD training needs assessment for Fiji Deliverable 1.1: Develop a concept note and detailed plan for the need assessment, including objectives, research questions, methodology, interview questionnaire, and key informants. Deliverable 1.2: Produce a needs assessment report identifying NCD-related competency gaps among nurses and community health workers and health professions, practical constraints, and priority NCD training topics, with specific attention to Northern Division of Fiji. The assessment will draw on desk review, key informant interviews, and consultations through existing MHMS platforms, in coordination with MHMS and relevant professional councils.

Output 2: Development of online NCD course content Deliverable 2.1: Draft a concept note and supporting documents for online course production and WHO Academy’s quality review process. Deliverable 2.2: Develop technical learning materials for two online NCD courses tailored to Fiji and Pacific context, to be packaged and delivered through POLHN. Learning materials will be updated through iterative production stages, WHO Academy quality review, and inputs from stakeholders and relevant WHO teams. Deliverable 2.3: Arrange meetings and consultations with stakeholders and summarize key inputs to improve the draft courses.

Output 3: On-site pilot training for POLHN and collaboration with stakeholders Deliverable 3.1: Develop implementation plan and agenda for blended, on-site training, explicitly linked to the online course developed under output 2. Deliverable 3.2: Provide technical and operational support for the delivery of the blended training in collaboration with WHO relevant teams, MHMS and partners. Findings and feedback from these sessions will inform refinement of the online courses. Deliverable 3.3: Liaise and collaborate with Fiji government, professional councils and health workers to ensure contextual relevance and sustainability of NCD courses.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: University degree in medicine, public health, public policy, social science or related field from a recognized university

Desirable:

• Advanced degree (Master’s) in medicine, public health, public policy, social science or related field from a recognized university.
• Certification and/or training in NCD management, adult learning, curriculum development, or development of online learning content for health workers.

Experience

Essential: At least two (2) years of experience in NCD, capacity building, health workforce and public health.

Desirable:

• Experience working with WHO and/or other UN agencies in a related field, and within a multicultural working environment.
• Experience working in Fiji and PICs in the areas of NCDs and capacity building.

Technical skills and knowledge

1. Strong understanding of NCD policy, and health service delivery in Fiji and in Pacific Island Countries (PICs).
2. Good knowledge of health workforce development and health systems issues in Fiji.
3. Strong writing skills including developing concept notes, reports, and donor proposals.
4. Technical and diplomatic skills to engage and collaborate with WHO teams, ministry of health, experts and partners.
5. Ability to think and work independently or with minor supervision to plan, design and implement a systematic approach to problem solving.
6. Ability to work harmoniously as a member of the team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.
7. Knowledge and familiarity with Fiji health system and key stakeholders

Languages:

Essential: Fluency in the English language.

Competencies

• Technical expertise
• Communication
• Producing results
• Teamwork

Location

The consultancy is locally recruited and based in Fiji. The consultant shall observe the official working hours of the WHO Representative Office in the South Pacific.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel within Fiji if it contributes to the deliverables of this TOR. The travel arrangements will be made by WHO, and WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of the WHO.

Remuneration (travel costs are excluded)

• Remuneration: The consultancy fee will be FJD10,744.40 per month.
• Expected duration of contract: 80% FTE (4 working days a week for 6 months)

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• This role is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by Fijian nationals recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• 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.
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• 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.
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• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
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Added 8 hours ago - Updated 7 hours ago - Source: who.int