Health Policy Expert

Vacancy Number: VA/FPA/021/2002

Closing Date: 30 June 2002

I. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Within the context of UNFPA’s efforts aimed at alleviating poverty and improving people’s lives, and under the overall policy and operational direction of the CST Director, the incumbent will contribute to enhancing national capacity to mobilize and obtain social and political support for national policies in the field of health policy, as well as to building regional capacity to supply technical support in this area. She/he will specifically:

1. Identifies needs and develops national capacity to integrate RH into Health policy reform and programmes as well as to building regional capacity to supply consultancy services in same area at the request of the country office. These tasks will involve design and facilitation of formal training and conducting informal, on-the-job training. Similarly they will require identification and mobilization of potential national/regional individual and institutional partners for more active participation in Health care reform.

2. Advises and supports countries in analyzing the health policy situation and identifying areas of integration of the RH package. Provide technical assistance in costing of the packages suggested.

3. Provides technical support in health care policy at key stages of the UNFPA country programme cycle as well as in such United Nations system wide processes as CCA and UNDAF. Similarly, provides advice on policy aspects of SWAPs, PRSPs and health sector reform, including integration, decentralization, cost recovery, and creative participation in basket funding.

4. Leads the process of ensuring availability and use at the country level of technical information to improve the effectiveness of national health policy reforms. Promote inter country exchange of such information.

5. Advises on the development of Health packages, including as necessary insurance scheme development.

6. Analyzes, synthesizes and disseminates lessons learned about health care reform and health financing during collaboration with the countries.

7. Develops in collaboration with others a knowledge base on health care policy and health financing for sustainable programme support.

8. Leads the incorporation of the work of other CST members to promote integrated approaches into health policy, works particularly with the RH management and logistics experts and HIV-AIDS.

II. QUALIFICATIONS

Expected to have broad expertise in all aspects of Health policy, including health economics and health care management.

Level and field of study of university or equivalent education and training

- Advanced degree in economics, medical degree or public health degree with major in health care policy

- Advanced studies in health economics.

Length and type of practical experience required to perform assigned work.

At national level: At least ten years of increasing responsibilities in Health policy ideally with direct experience relating to health package development and costing.

At international level: At least five years experience advising other countries on health policy reform and health care management.

Language requirements:

- Excellent knowledge of English and Arabic; knowledge of French is an asset.

Substantive subject areas or fields of work involved in the performance of the duties and the type of specialized knowledge:

- Extensive knowledge of policy analysis and health care reform development.

- General knowledge of the principles and operational aspects of integrated reproductive health care.

- Familiarity with UN development programmes and working procedures, especially UNFPA policies and programming procedures, an asset.

- Courtesy, tact, and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with CST and UNFPA colleagues, senior government and NGO officials, UN staff, and others of different nationalities and cultures.

- Ability to work effectively in a team and dedication to multidisciplinary collaboration.

- Articulate speaker with good writing skills.

- Willingness to travel outside duty station up to five months per year.

- Extensive computer skills.

Other requirements

- Courtesy, tact, and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with CST and UNFPA colleagues, senior government and NGO officials, UN staff, and others of different nationalities and cultures

- Ability to function effectively in a team and dedication to multidisciplinary collaboration

- Articulate speaker with good writing skills