General Information

Publication for

Partner

Partner Name

WHO World Health Organization

Position Title

Technical Specialist – Health Reform Initiative

Job Category

Programme

Duty Station(s)

Dhaka

Seniority Level

Senior Level

ICS Level

ICS 11

Contract Type

ICA – LICA – Specialist – Retainer

Contract Level

LICA 11

Posting Start Date

01-Dec-2025

Posting End Date

06-Dec-2025

Duration

3 months

Job Highlight

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to significant health sector reforms in Bangladesh, working closely with key government and international stakeholders. The position offers a platform to apply your expertise in health policy and systems strengthening, influence strategic decisions, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of health initiatives.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

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 Government of Bangladesh has launched an ambitious Health Sector Transformation Agenda to position health as a constitutional right and a public good. Guided by the Health Sector Reform Commission, the agenda aims to ensure universal access to affordable, high-quality services through four strategic shifts: legal recognition of the right to health, institutional renewal, service delivery transformation, and strengthened financing, medicines, and digital health platforms. Citizen participation, gender sensitivity, and social accountability are central to these reforms, ensuring they remain inclusive and people-centered.

To implement this vision, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has identified priority areas including governance, health financing, workforce development, medicines, and service delivery. A multidisciplinary consulting firm will support the development of policies, plans, legal frameworks, and political processes for reform. To ensure coherence and strategic alignment, MoHFW will engage a Technical Advisor. The Advisor will provide technical leadership and guidance to the firm, review and strengthen policy and technical outputs, and facilitate effective coordination between the reform team, WHO, and MoHFW.

Role Purpose

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide strategic and technical guidance to advance Bangladesh’s health sector reform initiatives taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), Government of Bangladesh. The consultant will integrate global and regional best practices, enhance the quality and coherence of the reform team’s outputs, and facilitate evidence-based dialogue between MoHFW, WHO, and consultants to drive informed policy decisions.

Objectives of the Assignment

• To provide strategic advice and coordination support to MoHFW and WHO in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of health sector reforms.

• To ensure policy alignment and integration of reform initiatives across divisions, directorates, and levels of the health system.

• To facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement, including inter-ministerial coordination, political dialogue, and development partner collaboration.

• To support the institutionalization and sustainability of reform initiatives through policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, and integration into the next Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) and sector program.

• To guide evidence-based decision-making through policy briefs, analytical inputs, and reform monitoring frameworks.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The consultant will:

1. Technical Review and Guidance

• Review draft strategic documents, policies, and technical papers prepared by consultants and partners.

• Provide constructive feedback to strengthen reform strategies and ensure alignment with national, regional, and global priorities.

• Offer policy advice and technical guidance on priority reform areas.

1. Evidence and Best Practices

• Identify and recommend international best practices and lessons learned for contextual adaptation in Bangladesh.

• Ensure harmonization of consultant inputs across thematic areas (e.g., governance, financing, service delivery, workforce, medicines, health information).

1. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Participate in and facilitate meetings with the consultant team, WHO, and MoHFW decision-makers.

• Provide technical input to MoHFW–WHO policy dialogues, workshops, and reform steering committee meetings.

• Guide efforts to mobilize political commitment and build consensus among government, private sector, development partners, and political parties.

• Convene and facilitate high-level dialogues to foster shared ownership and collective action.

1. Strategic Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Contribute briefing notes, technical papers, and presentations for senior decision-makers.

• Mentor and provide technical leadership to working teams to ensure quality assurance, policy coherence, and strategic focus throughout roadmap development

Expected Deliverables:

Sl. No.

Activities

Deliverables

Timeline

1

Development of Strategic Reform Implementation Roadmap –

Conduct consultations with MoHFW, DGHS, and partners to outline reform priorities, timelines, responsible units, and coordination mechanisms.

Strategic Roadmap for Reform Implementation –

Comprehensive plan detailing reform goals, key milestones, coordination structures, and monitoring indicators.

Day 1–8

2

Progress Tracking and Policy Analysis –

Review quarterly reform progress, identify emerging challenges, and prepare policy briefs for decision-makers and stakeholders

Quarterly Progress Reports and Policy Briefs –

Analytical updates summarizing reform progress, challenges, and strategic actions for acceleration.

Day 9–18

3

Design of Reform Institutionalization and Sustainability Plan –

Propose mechanisms to embed reform initiatives into MoHFW’s organizational and financial systems, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Reform Institutionalization and Sustainability Plan –

Structured framework describing institutional arrangements, resource planning, and sustainability pathways.

Day 19–25

4

Preparation of Final Synthesis and Forward-Looking Recommendations –

Consolidate findings and develop strategic recommendations to inform the next Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) and health sector program.

Final Report with Recommendations for Next CCS and Health Sector Program –

Comprehensive summary of lessons, achievements, and actionable recommendations for future sector planning.

Day 26–30

Skills

Analytical Skills, Health Policy, Negotiation, Policy Analysis, Report Writing, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Communications

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

• Bachelor’s degree Medical Science is required with an advanced degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Systems, or related field.

Desired

• PhD is a preferred qualification.

Experience Requirements

Required

1. Minimum seven years of experience in health systems reform, public administration, or policy development at national or international levels.

2. Proven track record in health governance, institutional restructuring, and reform implementation.

3. Strong understanding of Bangladesh’s health sector context, including MoHFW structure, sector program, and development partner coordination mechanisms.

4. Experience engaging with high-level government officials, political leaders, and donor agencies.

5. Strong technical expertise in:

1. Health policy development and health systems strengthening and Implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) strategies.
2. Health governance, financing, service delivery, and
3. Health workforce issues in both national and global contexts.

Desired

• Excellent report writing and presentation skills

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and report-writing skills in English and Bangla.

• Demonstrated leadership and ability to work in complex, multi-stakeholder environment

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.