National Consultant - Review of Legal and Regulatory Framework for Nursing Practice and Support Development of Standardized Nursing Diagnoses
Organizational Context
The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Viet Nam is seeking a National Consultant to review the legal and regulatory framework governing nursing practice. This review is crucial for strengthening nursing policies and regulation, aligning with global strategic directions, and ensuring consistent, high-quality patient care across health facilities. The role supports the Ministry of Health's 2026-2027 workplan.
Job Purpose
The National Consultant will conduct a comprehensive review of Viet Nam's existing legal and regulatory framework for nursing practice. The primary goal is to identify any gaps, overlaps, inconsistencies, or implementation challenges concerning nursing scope of practice, professional responsibilities, and the nursing process. A key focus will be to assess the feasibility and legal basis for developing a standardized national list of nursing diagnoses. The consultant will provide validated recommendations and a roadmap for regulatory development to enhance patient safety, improve care quality, and support effective workforce planning. This consultancy directly supports the WHO's commitment to strengthening nursing and midwifery globally and aligns with the agreed 2026-2027 workplan with the Ministry of Health.
Responsibilities
The consultant will analyze the current legal and regulatory instruments governing nursing practice in Viet Nam, including laws, decrees, and circulars. This involves identifying gaps, overlaps, and ambiguities in provisions related to professional autonomy, clinical functions, and the nursing process. A critical task is to evaluate the framework's adequacy for standardizing nursing diagnoses and propose recommendations for their development. The consultant will also assess how the current framework impacts patient safety, care quality, and workforce planning. Responsibilities include preparing reports on regulatory analysis, providing technical input on legislative documents, tracking the legislative agenda, and offering recommendations for regulatory development. The consultant will collaborate with WHO teams and the Ministry of Health to ensure timely and quality implementation of the workplan.
Work Experience
Requires at least 4 years of professional experience in nursing practice, nursing regulation, health law, health policy, health systems, or the development and implementation of health-sector regulations. Experience coordinating technical reviews or consultations with government agencies, professional bodies, health facilities, and development partners is desirable.
Skills
Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills. Ability to review and interpret laws, decrees, circulars, professional standards, and technical guidance. Capacity to map regulatory provisions, identify gaps and inconsistencies, and formulate clear recommendations. Proficiency in monitoring progress and managing risks. Fluency in Vietnamese and working proficiency in English for technical review and report writing.