Capacity Strengthening -Consultant
World Health Organization (WHO)
WP/DSI Data Strategy and Innovation
Consultancy Close on 27 Jan 2026
..Purpose of consultancy
Under the overall guidance of the Coordinator and other technical officers in unit Capacity and Leadership Strengthening (CAL), Data, Strategy and Innovation (DSI) Group, the consultant contributes to the design and implementation of health workforce capacity-building initiatives in the Western Pacific Region, with a focus on the Global Health Learning Centre (GHLC), regional collaboration among national health academies, and quality assurance of normative products.
Universal health coverage (UHC) requires a capable, motivated and well-distributed health and care workforce. Countries in the Western Pacific Region face evolving demands due to demographic change, epidemiological transition, emergencies and rapid technological development. Strengthening the competencies of health workers, managers and policymakers are 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 conceptualize and implement capacity-building initiatives for the health workforce. This includes the Global Health Learning Centre (GHLC) for mid-level government officials, WHO fellowships and study tours, and other regional learning programmes. Building on recent GHLC cohorts, the team is preparing the next iteration of GHLC and related learning activities, including curriculum refinement, implementation planning and engagement with fellows and alumni.
In parallel, several countries are establishing or strengthening national health training centres and academies as institutional platforms for in-service education and lifelong learning. Convening these institutions at regional level offers an opportunity to share models, identify common challenges and co-develop approaches for scalable health workforce capacity-building
Finally, quality assurance for WHO normative products is a corporate priority. The Regional Office is establishing and operationalizing a Quality Support Panel (QSP) and related processes to enhance the methodological rigor, consistency and transparency of regional normative products. The CAL team contributes to these efforts as part of broader work on evidence, learning and standards.
The consultant will work with CAL and other relevant teams to advance these three interconnected areas and to contribute to selected corporate reporting tasks.
Output 1. Global Health Learning Centre (GHLC) 2026– curriculum and implementation support
Output 2. Regional collaboration among national health academies and training institutions strengthened
Output 3. Quality assurance for normative products in WPRO strengthened (Quality Support Panel, QSP)
Educational Qualifications:
Essential: Master’s degree in public health, public policy, education, social science or related field from a recognized university
Desirable: Additional training in health workforce development, adult learning/education, or programme design and evaluation.
Experience
Essential: At least seven years of relevant experience in public health and/or health systems, including work on health workforce, capacity-building, or learning programmes at national, regional or international level.
Desirable:
· Experience working with international organizations, preferably WHO or other UN agencies, or in a multicultural and multi-country context.
· Experience with organizing multi-country meetings, workshops or training programmes (online and/or in-person).
Skills/Knowledge:
Essential:
· Good understanding of health workforce and health systems issues in low-, middle- and high-income settings, including in the Western Pacific Region.
· Knowledge of principles of adult learning, competency-based education and facilitation of interactive training.
· Strong analytical and writing skills, including development of concept notes, technical summaries, meeting reports and communication materials.
· Ability to coordinate with diverse stakeholders, including ministries of health, academic institutions, experts and WHO staff across levels of the Organization.
· Strong organizational skills, with ability to plan and deliver tasks within agreed timelines and adapt to changing priorities.
Desirable:
· Experience using digital platforms for learning and collaboration (e.g. virtual classrooms, learning management systems, online collaboration tools).
· Experience in designing and implementing adult learning or training programmes
Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):
Essential:
Expert knowledge of English (oral and written).
Location
On-site, Manila, Philippines. The consultant will be based at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) in Manila and is expected to follow the official working hours of the Regional Office, in line with WHO policies on flexible and teleworking arrangements where applicable
Travel
The consultant is not expected to travel.
Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):
a. Remuneration: Pay Band B, USD6000 per month
b. Living expenses: Not applicable. This is an on-site position at WPRO in Manila for a consultant based within commuting distance; no additional living expenses will be paid.
c. Expected duration of contract: 8 months, February 2026 – October 2026
• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
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• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
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