Training on Human Resources for Health (HRH) Planning and Management

A resilient health system depends on a well-planned, adequately distributed, and motivated health workforce. Many countries face persistent challenges such as workforce shortages, geographic maldistribution, high attrition rates, limited management capacity, and weak workforce data systems. These constraints directly impact service quality, patient access, and overall health outcomes.

Human Resources for Health (HRH) planning and management provides a structured approach to forecasting workforce needs, strengthening recruitment and retention, improving performance management, and aligning staffing strategies with national health priorities. Global guidance from institutions such as the World Health Organization highlights strategic workforce planning and data-driven decision-making as essential pillars of health system strengthening.

This 10-day course equips participants with practical tools to design and implement effective HRH strategies. The curriculum covers workforce forecasting models, staffing norms, recruitment and retention frameworks, performance appraisal systems, capacity development planning, task shifting strategies, and the use of human resource information systems (HRIS). Participants will also explore leadership, motivation, and workforce governance mechanisms that enhance accountability and service quality.

Through real-world case studies, policy simulations, and hands-on exercises, participants gain the skills to align workforce planning with service delivery needs and long-term health system goals.

By the end of the program, professionals will be able to design sustainable HRH plans, strengthen workforce management systems, and improve the performance and distribution of healthcare personnel.

Duration

10 Days

Who Should Attend

• Health ministry HR managers and planners

• Hospital and facility administrators

• Health workforce policymakers

• Human resource professionals in healthcare

• Training and education managers

• Development partners and NGO representatives

Individual Impact

• Understand HRH planning frameworks
• Gain workforce forecasting skills
• Improve HR management practices
• Strengthen leadership and supervision capacity
• Enhance policy and planning competencies

Organizational Impact

• Better workforce distribution
• Improved staff performance and retention
• Enhanced service delivery quality
• Stronger HR systems and processes
• Sustainable health workforce development

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Develop HRH strategic plans
• Forecast health workforce needs
• Implement effective recruitment and retention strategies
• Manage performance and professional development
• Strengthen HR information systems

Module 1: Introduction to Human Resources for Health Systems

• Role of HRH in health system performance
• Common workforce challenges
• HRH policy frameworks
• Stakeholders in workforce management
• Practical Exercise: Assessing HRH gaps and priorities

Module 2: Health Workforce Planning and Forecasting

• Workforce supply and demand analysis
• Workload-based planning methods
• Skills mix optimization
• Scenario planning
• Case Study: National HRH forecasting models

Module 3: Recruitment, Deployment, and Retention Strategies

• Recruitment planning processes
• Equitable staff deployment
• Incentives for rural and underserved areas
• Retention and motivation strategies
• Practical Exercise: Designing a retention plan

Module 4: Performance Management and Supervision

• Performance appraisal systems
• Supportive supervision models
• Feedback and coaching techniques
• Linking performance to incentives
• Case Study: Improving workforce performance through supervision

Module 5: Education, Training, and Continuous Professional Development

• Pre-service education alignment
• In-service training programs
• Competency-based learning
• Career development pathways
• Practical Exercise: Developing a training plan

Module 6: HR Information Systems (HRIS)

• Digital HR data systems
• Workforce tracking tools
• Data-driven HR decision-making
• Integration with health information systems
• Case Study: Implementing HRIS in healthcare settings

Module 7: Leadership and Management in Health Workforce

• Health sector leadership skills
• Team management
• Change management
• Conflict resolution
• Practical Exercise: Leadership scenario analysis

Module 8: Workforce Financing and Sustainability

• Salary structures and benefits
• Budget planning for HRH
• Donor coordination
• Cost containment strategies
• Case Study: Sustainable HRH financing approaches

Module 9: Policy, Regulation, and Labor Relations

• Health workforce regulations
• Professional licensing
• Labor laws and unions
• Policy reform processes
• Practical Exercise: Reviewing HRH policy frameworks

Module 10: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement

• HRH performance indicators

• Workforce analytics

• Policy impact assessment

• Adaptive management

• Practical Exercise: Designing an HRH monitoring framework