Capacity Building Specialist

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  • Retainer
  • Remote

Website UNOPS

Capacity Building Specialist (Retainer)

Organization: UNOPS – South East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)
Location: Home-based (Papua New Guinea Program)
Contract Type: International ICA (Retainer)
Level: IICA-2 / ICS-10
Duration: 21 months (with possible extension)
Application Deadline: 24 October 2025 (Midnight CET)
Vacancy Code: VA/2025/B5524/30815

Introduction

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is seeking a Capacity Building Specialist (Retainer) to support the Rapid Health Facility Assessment and Capacity Development Program in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), this initiative aims to strengthen PNG’s health system by improving infrastructure assessment, data use, and evidence-based service delivery planning.

This position will lead the capacity-building component of the program, ensuring the transfer of knowledge and sustainable institutional strengthening across national and provincial health authorities.

About UNOPS and EAPMCO

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO) manages projects in 24 countries, with headquarters in Bangkok. Its Papua New Guinea cluster works closely with the government and development partners to advance projects in climate resilience, infrastructure, health systems, and governance.

In partnership with DFAT, UNOPS supports the PNG government in implementing health infrastructure and governance projects that improve service delivery to local communities.

Project Context

The Rapid Health Facility Assessment provides an evidence-based overview of the condition and performance of PNG’s health facilities. It aims to:

  • Standardize facility assessment tools for levels 1–5 health facilities.

  • Strengthen data management and decision-making capacities within Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs).

  • Embed best practices in health service planning and monitoring.

  • Develop sustainable frameworks for ongoing capacity development and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Capacity Needs Assessment

  • Conduct stakeholder consultations with the National Department of Health (NDoH), PHAs, and district-level authorities.

  • Assess institutional and workforce capacity gaps in infrastructure assessment, data management, and service delivery.

  • Map stakeholder strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.

  • Provide technical reports identifying current and required competencies.

2. Capacity Development and Human Resource Strategy

  • Develop a comprehensive Capacity Development and HR Strategy aligned with national health workforce plans.

  • Ensure strategies address long-term sustainability and institutionalization of health assessments.

  • Obtain donor and government approval for implementation.

3. Training Program and Tools

  • Design and deliver a structured training and capacity-building program for health managers and technical staff.

  • Create training materials, user-friendly job aids, and reference tools covering:

    • National Health Service Standards

    • Health facility assessment methodologies

    • Data analysis and utilization

  • Lead technical sessions on data-driven decision-making at provincial and district levels.

4. Training Delivery and Field Support

  • Deliver four regional training workshops (3 days each) for approximately 40–70 participants per region.

  • Conduct field visits to at least 10 provinces to provide on-site coaching, mentoring, and data-use support.

  • Facilitate peer learning and promote local ownership of tools and methodologies.

5. Sustainability and Institutionalization

  • Develop a sustainability strategy for long-term capacity strengthening.

  • Collaborate with NDoH and PHAs to integrate training modules into formal national curricula for District Health Managers and related cadres.

  • Ensure ongoing alignment with PNG’s health workforce development frameworks.

6. Technical Advisory Support

  • Provide technical advice and guidance throughout project implementation.

  • Recommend best practices, innovations, and international standards tailored to the PNG context.

Qualifications / Requirements

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Public Health, Education, Organizational Development, or a related field.

Experience:

  • Minimum 7 years of professional experience in capacity development, training design, or institutional strengthening in the health sector.

  • Proven experience conducting training needs assessments and developing capacity-building frameworks.

  • Experience working with government health systems in low- or middle-income countries, preferably in the Pacific region.

  • Strong background in data management, M&E, or health systems strengthening is an asset.

Skills:

  • Excellent facilitation and communication skills.

  • Ability to design user-centered training materials and job aids.

  • Strong analytical and stakeholder engagement skills.

  • Experience working effectively in multicultural environments.

Languages:

  • Fluency in English required.

  • Knowledge of Tok Pisin or another Pacific language is an advantage.

Contract Details

  • Type: Retainer – intermittent assignments based on project needs (no guaranteed minimum hours).

  • Duration: 21 months, with possible extension.

  • Duty Station: Home-based with potential travel to Papua New Guinea for in-person training and field support.

How to Apply

Apply via the UNOPS Careers Portal before 24 October 2025 (CET).
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

UNOPS does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.

To apply for this job please visit jobs.unops.org.

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