Health Economist, P4

WHO - World Health Organization

Cairo, Egypt

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To technically cooperate with Member States towards formulating evidence-based health financing strategies aimed at universal health coverage and based on equity, efficiency and financial protection.
To develop capacity to improve the knowledge base in health financing and use of analytical tools for health financing policy analysis and formulation.
To strengthen Member States' capabilities in designing, managing and evaluating health financing policies and programs.
To promote the use of economic principles and tools to improve health system performance.

The major expected outputs are advisory services to Member states in form of policies and strategies, action plans and work programs for sustainable and effective health care financing mechanisms to support universal coverage. Capacity building activities in health financing mechanisms and cost-effective analysis and national health accounts are organized.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Provide technical support and guidance to countries in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national health financing policies and strategies.
Develop national strategies and policies through the provision of policy advice and guidance on improved plans of action for existing health systems and services for universal coverage in social health insurance and community insurance.
Research, compile and evaluate a variety of data and information related to health financing best practices and provide policymakers with information so that they can make decisions in regards to public health services and health financing.
Make proposals for improvements of existing national health statistics and national health accounting systems, especially in respect of their sustainability.
Serve as a technical resource to respective authorities concerning health economics and social health insurance in the countries; respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical advice concerning related principles, practices, issues, measures, techniques and procedures in the related areas.
Develop, implement and conduct a variety of community outreach activities concerning the importance of social health insurance systems.
Liaise and coordinate national counterparts, technical departments at HQ and with donor and development partners (UN and bilateral) to harmonize recommendations on policies and strategies related to health financing and resolve issues or concerns.
Develop and implement training/orientation programmes in the related areas for capacity building in Health Financing and Social Protection Programs.
When delegated represent WHO at various meetings.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master's degree in health economics or health policy.
Desirable: Doctorate degree in Health Economics.

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years, with proven international exposure, in the area of economic analysis of health financing policy and formulation.
Desirable: Experience in health system strengthening in developing countries

Skills

In-depth knowledge and expertise in conceptual approaches to health financing and health systems policies with ability to ensure that action plans meet country needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO's policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting.
Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations.
Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
Excellent knowledge of political, social and health systems in the countries.
Excellent drafting and communication skills.
Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
Team spirit and team management skills and time management skills.