iHEA

« Analytic Associate | Main | Post-Doctoral Fellowships (1 and 2 year): Health System Performance Research Network (HSPRN) »

May 15, 2008

Health Economist (08-105HCS): Center for Health Programs, Management Sciences for Health

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

MSH BAND: 6
Reports To: Planning and Programming Department, Ministry of Health and MSH/HCSP Senior Contracts Manager

Overall Resposibilities

Design and develop the Ethiopia Ministry of Health’s Performance Based Financing (PBF) program. In particular, oversee the collection and analysis of existing PBF information in Ethiopia and prepare required documents. Participate in PBF meetings with Ethiopian government officials at all levels and other stakeholders. The Health Economist will work directly under the supervision of the MOH Planning and Programming Department with indirect input from the MSH/HCSP Senior Contracts Manager. He or she will work closely with other members of the HIV/AIDS Care and Support Project (HCSP) team.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Conduct and review an in-depth assessment of the Ethiopia national health policy, health sector programs and legal framework for PBF
2. Develop the public sector PBF strategy, implementation plan, monitoring and evaluation plan and quality control mechanisms
3. Through his or her existing international network, contacts and knowledge of existing PBF systems identify best practices on PBF implementation in other countries.
4. Design and develop the sector-wide PBF guidelines and implementation tools for Ethiopia taking into consideration the Ethiopia health sector and related policies, strategies, guidelines and the legal and political infrastructure including as follows:
   • Mechanisms for determining performance outputs and associated unit cost to achieve the required output
   • Mechanisms for assisting emerging regions to benefit from the PBF system
   • Modalities for verifying performance (independent assessments, on-site inspections, client satisfaction surveys and compliant reporting, etc.
   • Incentive mechanisms including (including performance improvement plans and motivation for employees)
5. Define the scope of PBF: define the level of health and other administrative bodies (Federal, Region, Woreda) and entities (health facilities, health offices, administrative offices, financiers, communities, and other relevant bodies) to be included in the PBF, and the resources in which PBF would be applied.
6. Clearly state the institutional setup/arrangement of the PBF and the role of each entity regarding the major task of resource mobilization, advocacy, development of business plans, contracting, fund disbursements, monitoring, and assuring quality, etc., as well as the link among these entities.
7. Develop mechanisms of implementation:
   • Mechanisms for determining performance outputs and associated unit cost to achieve the required output
   • Mechanisms for assisting emerging regions to benefit from the PBF system
   • Modalities for verifying performance (independent assessments, on-site inspections, client satisfaction surveys and compliant reporting, etc.
   • Incentive mechanisms including (including performance improvement plans and motivation for employees)
8. Develop various implementation and verification tools to be utilized in the PBF to include model business plans at different health facility levels, model contact agreement formats, reporting formats and others.
9. Analyze the implications of the proposed mechanism from the legal, economic, and quality standpoints and evaluate its affordability and feasibility.
10. Quantify cost implications (administrative and other costs) of implementing the proposed PBF.
11. Present the report on consultation workshops to relevant stakeholders in consultation with PPD and the Advisory Committee.
12. Plan and conduct field visits to selected regions: conduct interviews and site visits.
13. Design, develop and deliver short, regional workshops and a three-day national workshop.
14. Conduct pilot testing to gather lessons of experience for scale up.
15. Write the final report and include a draft public sector PBF design
16. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

1. Masters in Public Health (MPH). Specialty in health care finance or health care economics highly preferred
2. Minimum of five years work professional experience following MPH
3. Field experience with PBF in developing countries under resource constrained public health care delivery system preferred.
4. Knowledge of the Ethiopian health care system desired.
5. Excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to interact professionally with a culturally diverse staff, clients and consultants.
6. Ability to work independently, take initiative and meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality.
7. Experience with programs supported by bilateral agencies such as USAID, particularly those related to infectious disease programs such HIV/AIDS a plus.
8. Proficiency in English required; knowledge of Amharic preferred
9. Demonstrated intermediate computer skills in Microsoft suite applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
10. Ability and willingness to travel within Ethiopia as required.

Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental handicap, or status as a disabled or Vietnam Era veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

To apply for this position, please visit the Employment Opportunities section of our website at http://www.jobs-msh.icims.com/. If you cannot apply online or if you have difficulty doing so, please email an explanation of your problem to iRecruiterproblem@msh.org.

May 2008: Health Economist