PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY:

Support the work of Socialstyrelsen (Swe Gov) and WHO to develop capability and workforce plans to meet the changing strategic requirements of the Swedish government

BACKGROUND

Socialstyrelsen intends to engage the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, which is the leading European actor in developing methods that support the effective use of healthcare personnel resources from a national perspective. WHO works actively with leading researchers and Member States to design and implement new types of forecasts and strategies that promote efficient resource use and develop available resources to meet Europe’s challenges related to an ageing population and increasing mental health problems among children.

By serving as a hub for educational institutions, academics, authorities, and healthcare institutions, WHO Europe is at the forefront of adapting theoretical models to the conditions of different national healthcare and education systems. Through access to a strong theoretical foundation combined with deep and broad system knowledge across Member State contexts, WHO Europe possesses unique expertise.

The models that WHO Europe will transfer and adapt together with Socialstyrelsen to a Swedish context include models that strengthen the understanding of healthcare needs based on available statistics, the use of backcasting, the capabilities approach, and human learning systems. These approaches foster normative discussions on what happens if no action is taken, while also revealing the scope for influencing outcomes in complex environments. These methods support a transition towards reducing patient risks while simultaneously stimulating resource allocation toward maximal patient benefit.

Developing and adapting these methods to the Swedish context could provide significant support for applying a systems perspective.

The contractor will provide support to WHO Policy Advisor on HRH on producing a strategic solution being formulated by Socialstyrelsen (Sweden) and WHO RO.

The scope of the work is to work with Socialstyrelsen to support the detailed analysis of current health system arrangements and to support the development of capability models in the varied and independent regional health provision (and data).

DELIVERABLES

A. WHO Support on seasonal variation and summer planning Partner and the reforms for integrated care in Region Jönköpings län

Purpose

To support Region Jönköpings län in strengthening seasonal planning through a systems and resilience-based approach. The deliverables should follow the below core principles:

1. Patient Safety: Seasonal adaptations must safeguard quality and safety of care.

2. Workforce sustainability: Planning should protect staff recovery, competence mix, and long-term retention.

3. System-wide coordination: Alignment between region, municipalities, and private providers.

4. Adaptive Capacity (Resilience): Ability to manage both predictable seasonal variation and unexpected surges.

5. Learning and continuous improvement: Structured follow-up of summer outcomes and integration of lessons into the next planning cycle.

WHO deliverables within the above core principles. By June 30, 2026

1. Facilitation of 1-2 multi-stakeholder workshop

– Conduct system mapping of seasonal pressures and responses

– Produce a summary of a framework for understanding seasonal variations and identify areas of improvement.

2. Provide support for follow-up and learning integration

3. Undertake system mapping of approaches for stimulating integrated care.

B. Consultant will join a review panel that critically examines the coherence, strategic alignment, and system impact of ongoing HRH development work in Sweden. By July 31, 2026

OBJECTIVES

As a member of the panel the consultant will:

1. Assess alignment between the work in human resources for health that the National Board of Health and Welfare has undertaken in 2003-2026

2. Identify overlaps, gaps, and contradictions across HRH initiatives.

3. Evaluate whether current approaches strengthen long-term workforce sustainability and system resilience.

4. Provide strategic recommendations to improve coherence, prioritization, and impact.

C. Additional activity. By August 28, 2026

· Socialtyrelsen will require the consultant to support the activities underpinning the development of capability frameworks in the pilot areas and development of operational guidance or a “How to guide”

· In addition, the consultant will provide support on data mapping, back casting guidance and HRH enablement guidance.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master’s degree in in a relevant Mathematical discipline e.g. Statistics, Data Analysis, Medical Informatics or Business Administration field.

Desirable: PhD in relevant Mathematical discipline e.g. Statistics, Data Analysis, Medical Informatics or related data-management field.

Experience

· At least 10 years of managing and working with population, demography, health or other large datasets for a governmental organisation or an organisation working with government in this field.

· 3 – 5 years of managing and working with population, demography, health or other large datasets with international organisations.

· Experience or knowledge of the Swedish Health system would be beneficial.

Skills/Knowledge

Essential:

· Experience in working for a health ministry or related body (private or arms-length) to deliver high quality HRH analysis and projections.

· Familiarity with MS SQL databases, writing SQL queries, and working with databases.

· Excellent knowledge of statistical analysis and able to use appropriate software if required.

· Experience with data provision into ‘European Health for All’ database or using/analysing indicators for population health monitoring and analysis.

· Aptitude for troubleshooting and detail-oriented work in data collection.

· Demonstrated ability to perform comfortably in a fast-paced work environment.

Desirable:

· Experience with managing, transforming and handling large datasets.

· Excellent oral and written communication skills.

· Knowledge of statistics, regression, or other predictive methodologies a plus.

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English

Location: On-site for insurance purposes

Travel: The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

a. Remuneration: Band B – USD $ – $350 to 499 (daily rate)

b. Expected duration of contract (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year): 3 months approximately (expected to start on 1 June 26)

Hiring Manager: Cris Scotter

Admin focal point: Natalia Stepanova

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

A written test may be used as a form of screening.

If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

For information on WHO”s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

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Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.

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