Health Economics and Data Analytics Expert
Provide analytical and technical support to strengthen health financing systems.
Overview
Provide analytical and technical support to strengthen health financing systems.
You have:
- Advanced higher degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Health Economics, Economics, Public Health, Health Policy, Biostatistics, Data Science, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in health financing, health economics, or health systems analysis.
- Strong quantitative analysis skills using statistical software such as Stata, R, or Python.
- Experience in data visualisation and presentation of analytical results.
- Familiarity with health financing resource tracking and financial risk protection metrics.
- Solid overall computer literacy, including advanced proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
- Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
- Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
- Desirable: A PhD in Health Economics, Economics, Public Health, Health Policy, Biostatistics or Data Science.
- Have affinity with or interest in health economics, health financing, and data analytics in support of universal health coverage, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
Contract
This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) was established in 1948 as the United Nations’ specialized agency for health. Its mandate is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The WHO Regional Office for Africa supports Member States in strengthening health systems, advancing universal health coverage and improving health outcomes across the Region. Within the Health Systems and Services Cluster, the Health Financing and Governance Team provides technical support on health financing reforms, health economics and economic evaluation, resource tracking and National Health Accounts, financial risk protection analysis, public financial management, strategic purchasing and efficiency in health spending.
The Health Financing and Governance Team under the Health Systems and Services Cluster supports Member States in strengthening health financing systems through analytical work, technical assistance and evidence generation. From 2026 onwards, the team will implement an expanded portfolio of grants supporting multi‑country interventions that require advanced health economics and data analytics. These activities increase the analytical, operational and coordination demands on the team. The Health Economics and Data Analytics UN Volunteer will provide analytical and technical support to strengthen data analysis, health financing assessments and the production of technical outputs to inform policy dialogue and decision‑making at regional and country levels.
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Team Lead – Health Financing and Governance or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will: • Compile, clean, manage and analyse quantitative datasets related to National Health Accounts and health expenditure • Analyse public and private health financing flows, including out‑of‑pocket spending and financial risk protection indicators • Conduct descriptive, trend, cross‑country and comparative analyses for the African Region • Support health financing and health system diagnostics at regional and country levels • Contribute to health economics analyses relevant to health financing reforms, including costing and cost‑effectiveness analyses where applicable • Assist in synthesising economic evidence to inform health policy and financing decisions in low‑resource settings • Draft and contribute to technical reports, background papers, policy briefs and analytical annexes • Translate quantitative results into clear, policy‑relevant narratives • Prepare tables, figures, charts and visualisations for reports and presentations • Contribute to internal technical reviews and analytical publications, as relevant • Work closely with technical officers within the Health Financing and Governance Team and the wider Health Systems and Services Cluster • Participate in meetings and activities aligned with AFRO working hours.
• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Producing results • Communication • Teamwork • Professionalism • Self-management • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Advanced higher degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Health Economics, Economics, Public Health, Health Policy, Biostatistics, Data Science, or a related field. • At least 5 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in in health financing, health economics, or health systems analysis; experience working with health expenditure and financing data in low‑ and middle‑income countries; experience contributing to analytical reports, technical documents, or publications. • Strong quantitative analysis skills using statistical software such as Stata, R, or Python • Experience in data visualisation and presentation of analytical results • Familiarity with health financing resource tracking and financial risk protection metrics. • Solid overall computer literacy, including advanced proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Desirable: A PhD in Health Economics, Economics, Public Health, Health Policy, Biostatistics or Data Science. • Have affinity with or interest in health economics, health financing, and data analytics in support of universal health coverage, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
The Republic of Congo is a low-middle income country, located in Central Africa sub-region. The country shares boundaries with Gabon in the South-West, Cameroon and Central Republic Africa in the North and North-East, the Democratic Republic of Congo in the East, Angola and Atlantic Ocean in the South.
Since 2014, the Republic of Congo is experiencing an economic downturn, affecting the economic growth (-5 per cent in 2017). Because of the persistent drop in the price of oil, this situation drove to the decline of the gross domestic product per capita, from $3,196 in 2013 to $1,658 in 2017. Nevertheless, the country is globally stable and safe in the main urban and rural areas.
Frequent disruptions are recorded in the electricity supply, particularly in Brazzaville (political capital) and Pointe-Noire (economic capital). The living cost is relatively affordable, but some concerns with the cost of decent housing should be noted. The population enjoys dressing in style and loves music both profane and religious.
According to United Nations security standards, life and travel in Brazzaville and in the other areas major are secure.
The Republic of Congo is a unique country. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe your experience with quantitative analysis using statistical software? | This assesses your quantitative skills which are crucial for the role. | Discuss specific projects or analyses where you've utilized software like Stata, R, or Python. |
| How have you contributed to health financing analyses in previous roles? | This question gauges your direct experience related to the core responsibilities of the position. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What methods do you use for data visualisation and presenting analysis results? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data you analyze? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Give an example of a challenging environment you've worked in and how you adapted. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a situation where you worked as part of a multicultural team. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you explain a time when you worked under a tight deadline? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What interests you most about health economics and financing? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |