Advisor, Health Economics and Financing

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 154,831 USD and 199,622 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The primary objective of the Department of Health Systems and Services (HSS) is to strengthen health systems based on Primary Health Care, supporting universal access to health and universal health coverage. Its work encompasses the following areas: strengthening of health systems stewardship and governance to achieve universal access to health and address the social determinants of health, including social protection in health; strengthening of regulatory frameworks and financial protection for progressive realization of the right to health; organizing people-centered, integrated health service delivery; promoting access to and rational use of quality, safe, and effective health technologies; health policies, and technical cooperation; and developing human resources for health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director, Health Systems and Services (HSS) and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Health Services and Access (HSS/HS), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Develop and propose plans of actions for the Biennial Work Plan (BWP) in financing and health economics in coherence with the Organization’s mandates;
2. Collaborate within HSS/HS and other technical entities to promote a corporate comprehensive agenda on health financing and health economics;
3. Design, adapt and promote the use of economic and financial tools in the analysis of health and health sector issues, and in the evaluation of likely impact of public policies for health;
4. Promote, implement and support the analysis and formulation of innovative alternatives for health financing;
5. Advise, develop, implement and evaluate technical cooperation programs on revenue collection, fiscal space and service definition within in the scope of Universal Health;
6. Advise, develop, implement and evaluate technical cooperation on financial protection to make progress towards Universal health improving equity and efficiency; including advancing towards the elimination of direct payment at the point of service and the implementation of pooling pre-paid mechanisms funded with solidarity;
7. Advise, develop, implement and evaluate technical cooperation programs on purchase and payment mechanisms to make progress towards UA UHC improving equity and efficiency; in particular, within integrated health service delivery networks;
8. Advise, develop, implement and evaluate technical cooperation programs on economic evaluation of health interventions to improve allocated and technical efficiency;
9. Advise, develop, implement and evaluate technical cooperation programs on the relation between health, economic growth and human development within an intersectoral approach;
10. Plan, coordinate, conduct and supervise training and research activities in financing and health economics (at distance in the CVSP as well as face-to-face);
11. Advise and participate in collaborative activities with Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC), WB, IDB, IMF, GAVI, UNICEF, and other agencies working in the field of health economics;
12. Coordinate the Organization’s cooperation with regional, sub-regional and international economics and health economics associations (e.g. International Economics Association (IHEA); American Economic Association (AEA); Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association (LACEA); and others as well as sub-regional and national health economics associations; units of health economics within the public sector; etc.;
13. Promote and develop collaborative activities with professional and academic organizations aimed at disseminating and advancing the development of comprehensive, integrated and continuing financially sustainable strategies;.
14. Advise and support countries in building partnerships for strengthening health financing systems, engaging national, regional and global stakeholders;
15. Collaborate with national authorities and technical areas in the development of tools, indicators and information on the economic and financial aspects of integrated public health programs, with special emphasis on gender, age, and ethnic considerations;
16. Collaborate with national authorities and other entities of the Organization on developing effective mechanisms for the tracking of resources and identification of public health investments needed for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);;
17. Collaborate with country offices, other UN specialized agencies, multilateral and bilateral agencies and international financial institutions in the development of joint programs for strengthening national capabilities in the areas of health economics and financing, economic evaluation and costing of health strategies and cost-effectiveness of public policy interventions, and national health accounts within the System of National Accounts (SNA) and/or National Statistical Development Strategies (NSDS) frameworks in countries;
18. Promote the mobilization of national and international resources in support of the Project’s programs and/or activities;
19. Participate in the preparation of the Project’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP), budget and technical evaluation reports;
20. When called upon to directly supervise staff, establish clear work objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide coaching and feedback, and support staff development opportunities;
21. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A bachelor’s in economics and a master’s degree in public health with related training in health economics and financing from a recognized university.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an 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/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Experience****:

Essential: Nine years of combined national and international experience in implementing and advising on financing and health economics, as well as in conducting analysis and applied research on health economics and human development issues. Experience should also include international and national work in the definition and implementation of public policy; including revenue collection alternatives and analysis of fiscal space for health, financial protection, design and implementation of purchase and payment mechanisms, economic evaluation and impact analysis of health interventions, and production of economic information for policy design and decision making including, but not limiting to, health accounts and related indicators.

SKILLS****:

PAHO Competencies:

• Overall attitude at work****: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences****: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity - Relates well to diversity in others and capitalizes on such diversity. Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.
• Teamwork****: Collaborate and cooperate with others - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings.
• Communication: Share knowledge - Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.
• Producing Results****: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results - Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit.
• Ensuring effective use of resources****: Strategize and set clear objectives/Monitor progress and use resources well - Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives for own team and/or the Organization; systematically analyses and anticipates priority projects for own team and allocates necessary resources to achieve them; identifies the cross-Organizational resources needed for large- scale projects in line with key Organizational objectives. Anticipates foreseeable changes and adapts own and team’s projects in the face of unforeseen circumstances and/ or challenges; creates measures and criteria to monitor progress of overall projects against key Organizational objectives; creates cost-effective solutions for the Organization.
• Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond****: Develop networks and partnerships and encourage collaboration - Builds and negotiates strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders to ensure Organizational results and success. Creates innovative opportunities for promoting synergies inside and outside the Organization to improve Organizational success.

Technical Expertise:

• Strong knowledge of conceptual and methodological issues of inter-linkages between macroeconomic, fiscal and health financing issues and in the areas of health economics and health financing of national health systems.
• Expert skills in measuring and analyzing the relations between health and development, the economic determinants of health and the impact of health investments on national economies.
• Technical expertise in providing technical assistance in the development of financially sustainable national health policies, strategies, plans and/or programs under the primary health care principles and values.
• Expertise in economics, public finances, and in health economics and financing geared toward expanding coverage of public health and social protection programs to reduce the financial risks associated with diseases and accidents.
• Practical experience in providing technical assistance in assessing economic and financial aspects of health sector projects and/or health sector programs or policies; including economic evaluation and costing of health care interventions.
• Expertise in estimating and monitoring the distributive dimensions of national health expenditures. Excellent knowledge of national accounts including knowledge in the application of the Government Finances Statistics Manual (GFSM) and understanding of conceptual and methodological issues related to health accounts (national health accounts, national health expenditure accounts and health sector/systems satellite accounts).
• Knowledge in the use of global and regional databases on national accounts, government finances, national health expenditures, consumer price indexes, household surveys and other social and economic indicators.
• Knowledge and skills in the formulation of technical cooperation interventions and in the development of criteria for evaluating program interventions and evaluations with emphasis on health care services.
• Strong professional oral and writing skills including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel and Outlook considered essential.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary****: (Net of taxes)

USD $75,602.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment****: 54.1% of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level****.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org

PAHO/WHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.

PAHO/WHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of abusive conduct.

PAHO/WHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.

PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity. PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

PAHO/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance). Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy.

Candidates appointed to an international post with PAHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.

Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this post. The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.