WHO: Advisor, Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Personnel Development

Under the general supervision of the Director, Health Systems and Services (HSS), and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Human Resources for Health (HSS/HR), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following duties:

1. Design and execute technical cooperation strategies at the regional, sub-regional and country levels to strengthen capacities in the development, implementation and evaluation of human resources policies and plans with emphasis on nursing, midwifery and allied health personnel, including supporting the implementation of the Policy on the Health Workforce 2030: Strengthening human resources for health to achieve resilient health systems, and the adoption of adequate legal and regulatory frameworks;
2. Promote and coordinate technical support for the development of nursing, midwifery and allied health personnel practices and continuing education, aligned with the strategic objectives of health systems based on Primary Health Care;
3. Promote and coordinate technical support for the development of projects, programs and plans in support of interprofessional education, training and collaborative practice involving nursing, midwifery and allied health personnel, promoting their insertion into interprofessional health teams, especially at the first level of care and in underserved areas;
4. Promote and coordinate technical support and innovative approaches and mechanisms to foster the expanded role of nurses within health systems, based on country specific health needs and requirements in health workforce, promoting necessary adaptations in legal and regulatory frameworks;
5. Promote and coordinate innovative approaches and strategies for the delivery of technical cooperation in the areas of nursing, midwifery and allied health personnel, including active involvement in the development of networks of Collaborating Centers, academic institutions, international financing institutions, professional associations and experts interested in the area of allied health personnel, nursing and midwifery;
6. Undertake studies of the nursing, midwifery and allied health workforce to ensure maintenance of an adequate personnel mix for the delivery of quality health care and strengthen the health care delivery capacity of the health systems and services;
7. Promote and coordinate alliances, initiatives and mechanisms to promote recruitment and retention of nurses, midwives and allied personnel in their countries of origin, supporting ethical international migration between countries of origin and destination;
8. Collaborate with schools of nursing, midwifery and allied health sciences and other training institutions for the improvement of their programs and plans; foster the development of innovative methodologies for the training and continuing education using decentralized approaches and strengthening regulatory oversight to ensure quality of education for nurses, midwives and allied health personnel;
9. Support the development of multi-centric research projects to study changes in health care delivery systems and their impact in the practice, regulation and education of nursing, midwifery and allied health personnel; promote and support research actions in human resources development and education in the area of nursing, midwifery and allied health personnel;
10. Contribute to understanding the analysis of inequities associated with gender, age and ethnicity (and other factors) in nursing and midwifery, and its’ effects on the health workforce as well as on the delivery of care;
11. Promote the collection and analysis of quality data related to nursing and allied health personnel in national health workforce accounts development to support policy development and decision-making regarding health personnel development;
12. Strengthen digital literacy competencies and develop innovative approaches for enhancing information technology-facilitated education: knowledge management, pedagogic changes, distance and outreach, simulation and artificial intelligence, according to identified needs in the practice and education of nursing and allied health personnel;
13. Lead and coordinate, in close coordination with Country Offices and HSS focal points, the formulation, execution and evaluation of program and budget plan for the biennium; participate and develop common strategies with other professionals of the country offices on all aspects related to nursing, midwifery and allied health personnel;
14. Mobilize resources, financial, technical and human, in the strengthening of healthcare service delivery in Member States, through the development of projects and initiatives that promote improved access to health care services; liaise and coordinate with international financing institutions and agencies in the development and implementation of joint projects;
15. Participate in the preparation of the Project’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP), budget and technical evaluation reports;
16. When called upon to directly supervise staff, establish clear work objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide coaching and feedback and support staff development opportunities;
17. Perform other related duties, as assigned.