Health Economist, P4

WHO - World Health Organization

Jerusalem, Israel

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objective of the Health System Strengthening unit is to support the MoH in all areas of the health system including health financing and governance. WHO is currently implementing the EU project on “Strengthening the Palestinian Health Financing System including the Medical Referrals towards a more efficient and equitable system.” WHO will support the Ministry of Health to achieve three main outcomes: 1) Health financing system is more efficient, delivers better value for money, and enables the PA to work progressively towards UHC, 2) Improved health service planning and budgeting based on policy priorities and population needs, 3) Outside medical referral system (OMR) is more efficient, more sustainable, more transparent and fairer to all patients. Focus includes the development of fiscal space analysis, health financing strategy, reform of the referral process, capacity building in data analytics, financial risk protection measurement and building the capacity of human resources at MoH hospitals.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Provide technical support and guidance to oPt (MoH, MoF) in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national health financing policies, strategies, and systems.
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 regard to public health services and health financing.
Make proposals for improvements of national health accounting systems and related analyses, especially in respect of their sustainability.
Serve as a technical resource to respective authorities concerning health economics and social health insurance in the country(ies); 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.
Analyze data on outside medical referral expenditure and develop policy briefs, in alignment with the health financing strategy, to rationalize referrals expenditures.
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.
Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced University degree in economics, public health or related area.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in economic analysis of health financing policy and formulation. Within this experience demonstrated professional experience should be at the international level.Experience in assessing and reforming National Health Insurance systems.

Skills

Expert knowledge of health financingIn-depth knowledge of social health insurance systems and relevant 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 regarding health financing.Ability to prepare, review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.Excellent mathematical and analytical skills.Public speaking techniques.Excellent drafting and communication skills.Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equalparticipation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.Team spirit and team leadership/management skills and time management skills.