AVoHC Kofi Annan Scholars Program - Accreditation and Standards Specialist

The Accreditation and Standards Specialist will provide technical expertise to support the development, implementation, and strengthening of accreditation systems for health workforce training programs and health institutions across African Union Member States. This volunteer role involves delivering accreditation frameworks, conducting ISO 9001:2015 gap analyses, capacity-building workshops, and facilitating harmonization of standards regionally and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead assessments of existing accreditation systems and training standards for key health workforce cadres and institutions.
• Co-develop and validate minimum competency and training standards for targeted health professions.
• Design and implement accreditation frameworks that meet both national and international standards.
• Support institutional ISO 9001:2015 certification and quality management processes where relevant.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement with Ministries of Health, regulatory bodies, academia, and accreditation agencies.
• Provide technical assistance to Member States seeking to accredit training programs and public health institutions.
• Develop and produce technical documentation, quality policy, objectives, procedures, formats, and necessary documents as per the guidelines of all ISO 9001:2015 standards.
• Strengthen collaboration across regions to harmonize accreditation criteria and mutual recognition.
• Build capacity of national accreditation agencies through training, mentorship, and institutional strengthening.
• Advise on the development of sustainable accreditation governance mechanisms and resource strategies.

Requirements

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Workforce Development, Organizational Development, Human Resource for Health Development, Health Systems Management, Quality Assurance, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of experience in health workforce accreditation and credentialing, health training, institutional accreditation, ISO certification, quality management, or regulatory systems.
• Demonstrated experience in developing strategic guidance, policies, or implementation tools in accreditation or quality systems.
• Must have substantial hands-on experience in health workforce training accreditation, health professions education, institutional accreditation, curriculum development, or ISO certification processes.
• In-depth understanding of accreditation and certification systems for health workforce training and public institutions.
• Experience engaging with national regulatory authorities, academic institutions, and quality assurance bodies.
• Familiarity with regional and international standards (e.g., WHO benchmarks, ISO).
• Track record of developing accreditation guidelines, policies, and implementing harmonization strategies across countries.
• Excellent writing and policy communication skills.
• Experience in leading and implementing ISO 9001:2015 accreditation (Quality Improvement system).
• Proficiency in accreditation frameworks and institutional quality management systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including gap analysis and systems thinking.
• Capacity to draft technical guidelines, policy frameworks, and strategic roadmaps.
• Effective stakeholder coordination and facilitation experience.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence in dynamic settings.
• Capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in multicultural teams.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills

Skills

• Health Workforce Accreditation
• Credentialing Systems
• Health Training Accreditation
• Institutional Accreditation
• ISO 9001:2015 Implementation
• Quality Management
• Regulatory Systems
• Strategic Guidance Development
• Policy Development
• Implementation Tools Development
• Curriculum Design
• Accreditation Frameworks
• Quality Assurance
• Gap Analysis
• Systems Thinking
• Technical Guidelines Drafting
• Policy Communications
• Stakeholder Coordination
• Facilitation Skills
• Negotiation Skills

Languages

English