Consultant - Development Of The National Strategic Plan For Viral Hepatitis, Papua New Guinea

Organizational Context

The World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting the National Department of Health in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to develop its first five-year National Strategic Plan for Viral Hepatitis (2027–2032). This initiative aims to address the significant public health challenge posed by viral hepatitis, for which PNG currently lacks a comprehensive national strategy, surveillance system, or organized program.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical leadership and coordination for the development of Papua New Guinea's first National Strategic Plan for Viral Hepatitis (2027–2032). This plan will guide the nation in establishing foundational elements for prevention, testing, treatment, care, surveillance, and access to medicines, aligning with WHO's global strategy and the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. The role involves a consultative, evidence-based, and country-focused process to create a costed, implementable, and stakeholder-endorsed strategic document.

Responsibilities

The consultant will lead the development of PNG's National Strategic Plan for Viral Hepatitis. This includes conducting a situational assessment of viral hepatitis epidemiology, existing programs, and healthcare infrastructure, and identifying data gaps. The role involves establishing and convening a national Viral Hepatitis Working Group and facilitating stakeholder consultations to define the plan's vision, goals, and objectives. The consultant will draft the five-year strategic plan, a costed operational and implementation plan with resource mobilization strategies, and a monitoring and evaluation framework. Finally, the consultant will facilitate the validation, finalization, endorsement, and dissemination of the strategic plan and its supporting documents.

Work Experience

Requires at least 7 years of international experience in public health program planning or communicable disease program management. Experience in developing national strategies, policies, or technical documents, and working with national health departments and multiple stakeholders is essential. Prior experience in hepatitis strategic planning is an asset, as is experience in HIV, STI, or other public health strategic planning in developing countries.

Skills

Strong technical knowledge of public health strategic planning, program design, and monitoring. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for effective stakeholder interaction. Strong analytical, planning, and organizational abilities. Ability to work independently with limited supervision. Expert knowledge of English is essential.

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