Public Health Advisor (Retainer)

Job description

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuildin...

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.

The incumbent will be required to foster collaboration within the project team as well as with clients, counterparts and partners, ensuring a client-oriented approach.

S/he ensures the delivery of efficient, quality, relevant and compliant deliverables/outputs.



**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.**



Technical Advice Tool Development and Implementation Capacity Developmen...

Technical Advice

Tool Development and Implementation

Capacity Development and Training

Data Management Strategy

Reporting and Documentation

1.Technical Advice

Provide high-quality clinical and public health advice to the program team.

Provide expert guidance to ensure the Program aligns with best practice in public health, health planning and health system strengthening.

Also ensuring alignment with the National Health Service Standards (2021-2030) and NDoH priorities.

Advise on integration of the tool into existing national health systems, ensuring usability and sustainability.

Provide strategic advice and suggestions for the ongoing improvement of the assessment tool and methodology, based on feedback from field implementation.

Contribute to the project team’s broader objectives as required, offering technical insight to support decision-making and Development and Implementation
In close coordination with the Senior Project Manager, develop an agreed overarching work plan to guide inputs throughout the project timeline for the development and implementation of the new Rapid Health Facility Assessment Tool.

Contribute to the design and refinement of the Rapid Health Facility Assessment Tool, including the development of critical equipment lists.

Provide technical inputs to ensure usability, feasibility, and sustainability within PNG’s diverse facility contexts.

Directly support completion of assessments and capacity strengthening in at least 5 provinces (5 on-site field visits).

Assist with provincial coordination during assessments.

Provide technical advice on tool improvement and sustainability.

Provide continuous support to NDoH/PHAs and the Program Team throughout the development and implementation phases of the tool.

3.Capacity Development and Training
In collaboration with the Capacity Development Specialist and Project Manager, develop and finalise the Capacity Development and Human Resources Strategy for the Assessment.

Support the development of training content and learning objectives, including inputting public health expertise into the training materials.

Contribute to planning and the delivery of four regional trainings, which include contributing to training planning, 4x one-week field visits, helping with training coordination, and contributing to post-training reports and support.

Deliver technical sessions and integrate public health content.

4.

Data Management Strategy
Provide technical input into the Assessments’ data management strategy, with consideration to existing public health systems in PNG.

Review the alignment of the Data Management Strategy with public health systems.

Assist PHAs and NDOH to synthesise, analyse, and use information gathered from the Health Facility Assessments.


5.

Reporting and Documentation
Prepare a final report summarising achievements, consolidated technical findings, lessons learned, and recommendations.

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of the deliverables/outputs by the Public Health Advisor (Retainer) for the Rapid Health Facility Assessment and Capacity Development Program directly impact on the success of the project, visibility and image of the UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and consequently strengthen its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country served.

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and ex...


Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization.

Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same.

Upholds organizational and ethical norms.

Maintains high standards of trustworthiness.

Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit.

Collaborates and supports the development of others.

Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first.

Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal.

Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas.

Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them.

Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment.

Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements.

Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior.

Performance is consistent, even under pressure.

Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions.

Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks.

Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner.

Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others.

Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge.

Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.


Education: A minimum advanced university degree (Master’s or e...


Education: 

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.

Experience: 

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) C...

Contract type: International Individual Contract Agreement (IICA)

Contract level: ICS-11/IICA3/ LICA 11

Required Skill Profession

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