For the Future: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region outlines a vision for WHO work with Member States and partners in the Western Pacific. Strong, resilient, sustainable health systems are integral to delivering the four thematic priorities. Up to 60% of people living in some countries in the Region do not have access to safe, quality and affordable health services and medicines. One in five families spend 10% of their income on health care. This threatens individuals, families, communities and economies. The Division of Health Systems and Services (DHS) will contribute to taking forward the vision of, and the thematic priorities in For the Future. DHS will support Member States with high quality advice and assistance on health financing, health workforce, medical products, quality and safety, law and governance, women and children, rehabilitation, surgery and health services including primary health care so that they can build resilient, responsive and sustainable health systems.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the direct supervision of the Health Policy and Service Design Coordinator with the general guidance of the Director of Health Systems and Services, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:
Provide technical support on evidence-informed policy including priority-setting mechanisms, resource
allocation, and benefits design;
Contribute to evidence generation on health financing including revenue generation, pooling, resource allocation, and strategic purchasing, in support of health policies, strategies, and plans to advance UHC, with a focus on primary health care;
Support the health economist in working with country offices and country focal points on health accounts (HA) production (coordinating with consultants, monitoring the data quality in the Region; supporting the use of HA for policy-making);
Support and contribute to the development of a Region-wide framework on health financing for UHC;
Contribute to the monitoring of financial protection in the Region and at the Member State level;
Support the health economist in providing technical assistance on health financing in Member States including for purchasing (social health insurance) reforms and health financing legislation;
Support and facilitate cross-country learning and sharing of good practices in the use of health economics or health financing analysis through various platforms;
Contribute to the strengthening of WHO staff in country offices on issues related to health financing policy and health economics analysis including economic evaluation, costing tools, and health technology assessment;
Support research and analytic work in health economics and financing in partnership with academic institutions, WHO collaborating centres, and/or multilateral and bilateral partner agencies;
Participate in the preparation of the biennial work plan and budget, routine programme reporting, and donor report preparation of related technical activities; and
Perform other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: University degree in health economics, health financing, health policy, public health and/or social science or other related field from a recognized university.
Desirable: Master’s degree in health economics, health financing, political science or related field.
Experience
Essential: Minimum of five years’ relevant work experience at national and international level in the area of health financing, health system development or related field.
Desirable: Experience working in the Region or in lower middle income countries. Demonstrated quantitative skills to produce evidence and information to strengthen health systems.
Skills
Good knowledge of health system financing theory and practice.
Excellent quantitative analytical skills
Ability to learn new approaches and software quickly.
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Written and spoken fluency in English is essential.
Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.
