Advisor, Health Financing Policy

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 Department of Health Systems and Services (HSS) is responsible for promoting, coordinating, and implementing the Organization’s technical cooperation in health systems and services development to achieve Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage (Universal Health), based on the Primary Health Care approach. HSS promotes evidence-based policies, strategies and plans to transform national health systems to improve equity and resilience, as health systems move towards the achievement of Universal Health, strengthening governance and stewardship, increasing and improving health financing and social protection, and supporting the development of integrated networks of health services based on a highly resolutive first level of care. HSS strengthens national capacity in the organization of people-centered health services, integrating the healthy life course approach, ensuring quality of care and patient safety, and the effective deployment and management of human resources.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director, Health Systems and Services (HSS) and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Primary Health Care, and Integrated Service Delivery (HSS/PH), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a) Advise, develop, and implement, technical cooperation programs on health systems strengthening and transformation, and health financing policy initiatives, including regulatory mechanisms, that support social protection and the integration of financial resources from different sources (private, public and social insurance) to ensure solidarity and equity; financing schemes and mapping of public, private, mixed insurance schemes to guide policy development; Advise, develop and support evidence-based and best practices recommendations on health financing policies and engage in policy dialogue with national health authorities and relevant stakeholders to strengthen the development and sustainability of the essential public health functions (EPHF) to accelerate health systems transformation based on Primary health Care;

b) Strengthen country capacities in fiscal space, revenue collection and service definition to support the achievement of universal access to health and universal health coverage (Universal Health); promote the generation of increased fiscal space to strengthen and prioritize Primary Health Care and initiatives through dialogue and collaborative work between the sectors of health and the economy;

c) Advise, develop, and implement, technical cooperation programs in the development of health budget policies and processes aligned with strengthened health systems based on Primary Health Care, promoting standardized, priority-oriented budgeting for health care

d) Support policies to increase financial protection in health to progressively advance towards the achievement of Universal Health, improving equity and efficiency of health systems, the progressive elimination of direct payments at point of service, sustainable public funding, and the implementation of pre-paid pooling solidarity mechanisms; foster the exchange of experiences on initiatives that reduce out-of-pocket costs, and their replacement with sustainable public funding; evaluate and promote initiatives that address the causes of the population’s lack of financial protection, and enable conditions that support comprehensive access to health services;

e) Support the development of national strategies and programs for the payment, purchase and/or allocation of health systems resources that ensure efficiency and equity, considering these mechanisms as enablers and drivers of innovations in the organization and management of health services; that they be guided by the PHC strategy with a territorial perspective, adapted to particular characteristics of various contexts, targeting areas and populations in conditions of vulnerability;

f) 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 on public policies in health;

g) Advise, develop and collaborate within HSS, and with other technical entities to promote a comprehensive and coherent institutional agenda on health financing policy and on corporate flagship priorities;

h) Develop and propose plans of action for the Biennial Work Plan (BWP) in financing and health economics in accordance with the Organization’s mandates;

i) Develop and support the analysis on the relation between health, economic growth and human development within an intersectoral approach;

j) Plan, coordinate, conduct and supervise training in health financing (through PAHO’s Virtual Campus of Public Health (VCPH), and face-to-face);

k) Advise and participate on collaborative activities to disseminate and advance the development of comprehensive, integrated, and sustainable financial strategies, to include ECLAC, OECD, WB, IDB, IMF, GAVI, UNICEF, and other agencies working in the field of finance and health economics; regional, subregional, national, and international economics and health economics associations; and units of health economics within the public sector; etc.;

l) Advise and support countries in building partnerships for strengthening health financing systems, engaging national, regional, and global stakeholders;

m) Collaborate in the design and implementation of resource mobilization strategies and actions in support of the Project’s programs and/or projects funding;

n) Participate in the preparation of the Project’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP), budget and technical evaluation reports;

o) 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;

p) Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree 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.PAHO, only considers official degrees 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, leading health financing policies within health sector reform processes. 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 limited 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 –. 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: Write effectively/Share knowledge – Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. 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:

− Technical expertise in providing technical assistance in the development of financially sustainable national health policies, strategies, plans and/or programs supporting health systems based on Primary Health Care.

− 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 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.

− 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 relationship between health and development, the economic determinants of health and the impact of health investments on national economies.

− 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, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

USD $77,326.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment:70.2% 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.