JOB DESCRIPTION

General Information

Publication for

Partner

Partner Name

WHO World Health Organization

Position Title

Legal Specialist – Health Sector Reform and Governance

Job Category

Legal

Duty Station(s)

Dhaka

Seniority Level

Mid Level

ICS Level

ICS 10

Contract Type

ICA – LICA – Specialist – Retainer

Contract Level

LICA 10

Posting Start Date

24-Nov-2025

Posting End Date

30-Nov-2025

Duration

3 months

Job Highlight

To provide expert legal analysis and guidance for the review, drafting, and validation of health sector laws, regulations, and policies, ensuring alignment with the Constitution of Bangladesh, human rights principles, and the objectives of ongoing health system reform initiatives.

The six Acts to be developed are:

1. Patient Protection Act

2. Provider Protection Act

3. Primary Health Care (PHC) Act

4. Essential Medicines Access and Pricing Act

5. Facility Accreditation Act

6. Gift Ban Act

About the Group

Since 1972 WHO has been a key partner of the Government of Bangladesh and provided technical advice and support for the development and improvement of the health of the country’s population.

The organization has been supporting the Government, and working in collaboration with other partners, for the attainment of the highest possible level of health by all. It has been providing support for the development and strengthening of the country’s public health systems. Currently WHO support is guided by a broad framework known as the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) for 2014-2017.

Job Specific Context

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), with technical support from WHO, is undertaking comprehensive health sector reforms aimed at strengthening governance, accountability, and service delivery to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and ensure the right to health for all citizens.

A robust legal and regulatory framework is essential to support these reforms, ensure coherence with national laws, the Constitution, and international human rights obligations, and provide clarity for health professionals, institutions, and service users. To this end, a qualified Legal Expert engagement is required to provide technical guidance, review draft laws and policies, and ensure their consistency with national legal standards and human rights principles, thereby supporting the development of a sound legal foundation for health reform implementation.

Role Purpose

• To ensure drafting and finalize six key Acts in line with Bangladesh’s constitutional, legal, and
• Review and assess existing laws, regulations, and rules related to the health sector.
• Provide legal inputs to ensure that draft policies and legislation uphold equity, justice, and human rights for both healthcare providers and service users.
• Ensure coherence and consistency of health laws with other national legal instruments and international standards.
• Contribute to establishing a comprehensive legal framework that facilitates effective governance and implementation of reform initiatives in the health sector.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The Legal Expert will:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of existing health-related laws, acts, ordinances, and regulations to identify gaps, overlaps, and inconsistencies.
• Analyze and validate new or revised draft laws developed under the health reform initiative for their legal soundness, alignment with the Constitution, and adherence to human rights principles.
• Ensure draft documents are consistent with the mandates and responsibilities of professional entities, health regulatory bodies, and beneficiary protection mechanisms.
• Support the drafting and validation process of new legal instruments and amendments to existing ones to create a cohesive, transparent, and enforceable legal framework.
• Facilitate consultations and stakeholder dialogues with relevant ministries, regulatory bodies, and professional councils to ensure ownership and consensus.
• Advise on the integration of gender, equity, and human rights perspectives in all health-related laws .
• Develop a summary report and policy brief outlining key findings, legal recommendations, and a roadmap for reforming the legal and regulatory architecture of the health sector.
• Support the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) or guidelines to operationalize legal provisions where necessary

Expected Deliverables:

Sl. No.

Activities

Deliverables

Timeline

1

Desk Review and Mapping of Existing Legal and Regulatory Instruments – Conduct comprehensive mapping of current health sector laws, regulations, and policies to identify overlaps, inconsistencies, and gaps in legal coherence and institutional mandates.

Mapping and Analytical Report on Existing Health Sector Laws and Regulations –

Detailed analysis of the current legal landscape, identifying reform needs and alignment gaps with national health policies and international standards.

Day 1–15

2

Legal Review and Validation of Draft Health Laws – Undertake clause-by-clause legal review of existing and draft health laws; conduct validation sessions with MoHFW, relevant directorates, and legal experts.

Legal Review Notes and Validation Reports on Draft Health Laws – Consolidated technical notes summarizing legal observations, validation feedback, and revision recommendations.

Day 16–30

3

Preparation of Legal Recommendations and Draft Amendments – Develop detailed legal recommendations and propose amendments aimed at enhancing policy coherence, regulatory oversight, and rights-based health governance.

Recommendations and Proposed Amendments for Strengthening Legal Coherence and Rights-Based Approaches –

Draft legal text proposals and explanatory rationale for institutional and policy reform.

Day 31–45

4

Consolidation and Finalization of Legal Reform Framework – Integrate all findings, validation inputs, and recommendations into a comprehensive reform package outlining strategic and operational steps for implementation.

Final Consolidated Report with Legal Analysis and Roadmap for Reform Implementation –

Comprehensive synthesis document including analytical findings, reform priorities, implementation roadmap, and resource implications.

Day 46–60

Skills

Health Policy, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational 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. For people managers only: 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 Requirements

Required

• Advanced university degree (LL.M or equivalent) in Law, Public Health Law, Health Policy, or related field from a recognized university

Experience Requirements

Required

• At least 5 years of professional experience in legal analysis, legislative drafting, or public policy, preferably in the health sector or related social sectors.
• Proven experience working with government ministries, regulatory bodies, or international organizations on legal reform and policy alignment.
• Strong knowledge of the Bangladesh Constitution, administrative law, human rights law, and relevant international conventions.
• Familiarity with health systems governance, professional regulation, and patient rights frameworks.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and legal interpretation skills.
• Strong understanding of public health law, rights-based approaches, and health governance.
• Effective communication and facilitation skills with high-level policymakers and stakeholders.
• Ability to produce clear, concise, and actionable legal and policy documents.

Desired

• Experience working with WHO, UN agencies, or similar international organizations is an asset
• Experience in health law, governance, or administrative law.
• Familiarity with WHO and UN legislative frameworks.
• Experience working with MoHFW or other government bodies.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredBengaliFluentRequired

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.