Public Health Advisor (Retainer)

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it. A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Background Information – Job Specific 

The Project – Rapid Health Facility Assessment and Capacity Development Program.
The Governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea have a long history of partnership in supporting health system strengthening and improved health service delivery in PNG. Since 2011, Australia has invested significant resources in the construction or upgrade of rural health infrastructure in PNG and supporting investments in health information systems and data management. 

The Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has engaged UNOPS to support the development and roll-out of a national Rapid Health Facility Assessment in Papua New Guinea (PNG), in line with the National Health Service Standards (2nd Edition, 2021–2030). This Rapid Health Facility Assessment (Rapid Assessment) is designed to provide a quick but structured overview of the condition of PNG health facilities, enabling prioritization of investment decisions and further assessments.

The Rapid Assessment forms part of broader efforts by the Papua New Guinean and Australian Governments to strengthen the PNG health system and drive accountability, providing evidence for policy direction and improved service delivery.

Key project activities include: 

• Develop standardized assessment tools for level 1-5 health facilities to ensure consistency and encourage routine assessment processes 
• Test and support implementation of level 4 and level 5 assessment tools, and level 3 assessment tools in select facilities. 
• Strengthen provincial health authorities’ capacity through training and knowledge transfer to embed best practices
• Develop capacity at provincial and district levels to conduct facility assessments on a routine basis
• Enhance data management, analysis, and reporting to improve planning processes at provincial health authorities and at the National Department of Health. 

UNOPS is calling for an expression of interest and requesting for information with regard to the Technical Assistance Services for the Rapid Health Facility Assessment and Capacity Development Program. The Consultant will help to guide the overall approach to implementing the new assessment system and will make recommendations to ensure the assessments are fit for purpose and sustainable within the PNG Health system. 

South East Asia Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across  North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines.  EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia,  EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.

In 2024, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 80 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.  

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself. 

UNOPS in Papua New Guinea

The EAPMCO Papua New Guinea was established in early 2020 to support the implementation of design and construction of infrastructure, sustainable procurement, capacity development to support technical and governance excellence, programme management, and to facilitate access to funding sources in Papua New Guinea.  

As an established office since 2022, EAPMCO PNG is demonstrating significant growth and portfolio diversification potential in a short period of time. Working with an increasing number of development partners, in 2023 EAPMCO PNG is quickly being recognised as a responsive and quality partner in climate change resilient infrastructure, sustainable procurement and governance support to the Government of PNG in its service delivery obligations to the people. There are a number of projects currently in the pipeline which will expand the portfolio of existing projects for the office.

Public Health Advisor (Retainer) role

The main purpose of the role is to provide expert guidance on technical, and public health aspects of the program, supporting both the development of the tool and its field implementation. The consultant will ensure the Rapid Health Facility Assessment Tool is fit-for-purpose, aligned with national health standards, and usable across diverse facility contexts in PNG.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager (SPM) based in Port Moresby, the Public Health Advisor (Retainer) will be required to collaborate with the project team and deliver the required outputs/deliverables within the timeframe specified. 

1. Technical Advice
2. Tool Development and Implementation
3. Capacity Development and Training
4. Data Management Strategy
5. Reporting and Documentation

• A minimum advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) or higher degree in public health, health systems/services administration, or any other field related to the functions of the post, from an accredited institution is required.
• A first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in above-mentioned fields with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree or higher degrees.

• Minimum seven (7) years’ experience in public health or health systems, or related fields. 
• Experience working in PNG is required. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of the PNG health system, including facility operations, HR, and infrastructure planning is strongly preferred.
• Experience with field assessments and health information systems is highly desirable.
• Prior experience working with government and development partners is a strong asset.

Language Requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English is required.
• Knowledge of Tok Pisin is an advantage.

• Contract type: International Individual Contract Agreement (IICA)
• Contract level: ICS-11/IICA3/ LICA 11
• Contract duration:21 months with a possibility of extension subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
  
  

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 


Disclaimer:

• When the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) has established the National Professional Officer (NPO) category in a duty station, a home-based Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) will be issued instead of an International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)  
  
  
• This is a Retainer position, not a full-time position. Retainers may be requested to carry out tasks on an intermittent and need basis. There are no minimum hours or days guaranteed.
  
  
• For home-based position, it will be the responsibility of the selected candidate to make arrangements, to a standard deemed acceptable by UNOPS, for a secure internet connections, laptop and/or equipment necessary for work (as defined by UNOPS). 
  
  
• For home-based positions, candidates must have the necessary permissions to work in their home base location without sponsorship from UNOPS.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.