JOB DESCRIPTION

General Information

Publication for

Partner

Partner Name

WHO World Health Organization

Position Title

Specialist – Primary Health Care (PHC) Framework and Transition

Job Category

Project

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

25-Nov-2025

Posting End Date

02-Dec-2025

Duration

3 months (Working days – 40)

Job Highlight

This assignment aims to establish clear functional boundaries for PHC delivery to transition from fragmented, project-based systems to a sustainable, institutionalized model within the national health structure.

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 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is implementing a range of reform measures to strengthen the resilience, efficiency, and equity of the health system in line with the recommendations of the Health Reform Commission (2025). These reforms aim to align Bangladesh”s health system with the principles of equity, participation, and accountability ensuring that health is realized as both a constitutional right and a public good. In this regard, the Ministry has prepared a comprehensive proposal titled “Health Sector Transformation in Bangladesh”, outlining the strategic priorities, implementation modalities, and expected outcomes of the reform agenda. The proposal emphasizes eight key strategic areas including governance and institutional reform, primary healthcare restructuring, workforce planning, financial sustainability, digital transformation, medicine regulation, documentation of transition strategies, and stakeholder communication.

The Ministry seeks the technical and strategic partnership of the World Health Organization (WHO) to support the implementation of these reform initiatives. WHO will provide technical assistance, policy advice, and coordination support to ensure that the reform measures are effectively implemented and aligned with global best practices in health system strengthening.

Role Purpose

The consultant will develop an integrated Primary Health Care (PHC) Boundary Framework and Urban PHC Transition Model that define and institutionalize the PHC service package across Bangladesh. The framework will ensure a standardized package of essential services, medicines, diagnostics, and a skilled workforce embedded within existing rural and urban facility tiers.

This assignment aims to establish clear functional boundaries for PHC delivery to transition from fragmented, project-based systems to a sustainable, institutionalized model within the national health structure.

Objectives of the Assignment

• Review and map existing PHC service packages, delivery mechanisms, and integration points in both rural and urban contexts.
• Define the PHC boundary encompassing essential promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative services suitable for existing facility tiers (community clinics, union sub-centres, upazila health complexes, and urban primary health centers).
• Develop a list of essential medicines, diagnostics, and supplies required for the PHC package.
• Recommend an appropriate mix and distribution of multidisciplinary health workers for PHC delivery.
• Align the PHC boundary with existing delivery platforms, referral systems, and national standards.
• Propose implementation and monitoring mechanisms for sustaining the PHC boundary within health sector reform initiatives.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The consultant/team will address the entire PHC continuum across rural and urban contexts, covering public, NGO, and private providers.

Situational Review and Mapping

• Conduct literature and policy reviews, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions.
• Map PHC facilities and workforce across rural and urban areas.
• Identify overlaps, fragmentation, and integration gaps between DGHS, DGFP, and LGD-managed facilities.
• Analyze best practices from comparable low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Drafting of PHC Boundary Framework

• Define PHC service packages by level of care (rural and urban) encompassing promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative services.
• Develop service delivery standards including staffing structure, skills mix, essential medicines, diagnostics, and equipment norms.
• Ensure inclusion of MNCAH, NCDs, mental health, and health promotion interventions.
• Integrate gender, equity, and community engagement dimensions.

Integration within Existing Facility Network

• Map public and NGO-managed facilities to align PHC package with service capacity and infrastructure.
• Recommend adaptation measures for union and urban primary health centers to deliver standardized PHC packages.

Referral and Coordination Systems

• Design structured referral and back-referral pathways between PHC, secondary, and tertiary levels.
• Integrate ICT-based referral tracking and patient follow-up systems with unique health IDs.

Stakeholder Consultation and Validation

• Conduct consultations with MoHFW divisions, LGD, City Corporations, NGOs, and development partners.
• Incorporate technical and policy feedback through workshops and validation meetings.

Finalization and Reporting

• Prepare final Integrated PHC Service Package and Urban PHC Transition Framework with operational guidelines.
• Present findings and recommendations to MoHFW, WHO, and other stakeholders.

Expected Deliverables:

Sl No.

Activities

Deliverables

Timeline

1

Situational Analysis & Mapping

Situational Review Report – including PHC facility/service mapping, analysis, and gap assessment

Day 1-10

2

Development of PHC Boundary Framework

Draft PHC Boundary Framework – encompassing essential services, medicines, diagnostics, and team composition

Day 11-20

3

Design of Urban PHC Transition Model

Urban PHC Transition Framework – outlining institutionalization roadmap, governance, and financing structure including PPP mechanism

Day 21-28

4

Stakeholder Engagement & Validation

Stakeholder Consultation Report – synthesis of inputs and validation findings

Day 29-33

5

Knowledge Sharing & Capacity Building

Technical Presentation / Workshop Materials – for MoHFW and WHO

Day 34-36

6

Finalization & Submission

Final PHC Boundary Report – incorporating feedback, recommendations, and implementation roadmap

Day 37-40

Skills

Analytical Skills, Facilitation, Technical Writing

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 in Medicine with Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Systems, Health Policy, or related discipline.

Desired

• PhD in Public Health, Health Systems, or related field.

Experience Requirements

Required

• At least 5 years of professional experience in PHC system design, service package development, or health systems strengthening.

Desired

• Demonstrated experience in developing PHC service packages and supporting integration within national systems.
• Strong understanding of Bangladesh’s health system architecture, including urban and rural delivery mechanisms.
• Experience working with MoHFW, LGD, UN agencies, or development partners.
• Experience in managing transitions from project-based to institutionalized health delivery systems.
• Familiarity with WHO PHC frameworks and SDG-related health targets.
• Strong analytical, facilitation, and technical writing skills.

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.