Zambart is a research-focused non-governmental organization that conducts research on HIV and Tuberculosis to help control and mitigate the impact of the dual epidemic. Zambart staff form an interdisciplinary team with a range of expertise including epidemiology, clinical science, social science, laboratory, operations research, health systems and services research, health policy analysis, health economics, health communication and counselling.

Zambart has been conducting health economics related research since late 1990. Health economics team at Zambart is one of the research support unit whose core business is anchored in research excellence in health economics and related health system issues in the developing world and aims to establish a strong ‘to policy track’ publication database through rigorous and high-quality health economics and systems research.

We seek a dynamic, enthusiastic, and self-motivated Graduate Economist to be part of our health economics research team for 6 months. Research in this portfolio focuses on the economic evaluation (costs, valuation of all resources including conducting Time and Motion (TAM)) of implementing bidirectional screening of COVID 19 and TB calculated from the service provider’s perspective. Successful applicants will participate in managing this study and analyze data and communicate findings (policy briefing and peer-reviewed publications) which contribute to the evidence base for improving access to and delivery of health care services and population health.

The Graduate Economist will be based at Zambart head office in Lusaka but may require travel primarily locally and possibly internationally. Working outside normal working hours and working in rural areas and/or under-resourced circumstances will be required from time to time. This is a full-time position.

Overall Responsibility

Reporting to the Lead Health Economist, the Graduate Economist will be responsible for undertaking cost analysis of COVID bidirectional screening study.

Study background

Scaling-up TB/COVID bidirectional screening in Zambia, is operational research to scale-up implementation of bidirectional screening of COVID-19 and TB at health facility level to increase detection of COVID-19 and TB in Zambia. The purpose of economic analysis is to calculate the cost of implementing bidirectional screening of COVID 19 and TB from the service provider’s perspective using a ‘Time Driven Activity-Based Costing’ approach (TDABC) approach. The cost analysis will include quantification and valuation of all resources used, including conducting time and motion (TAM) to account for personnel time and equipment capacity use for COVID-19 and/or TB.

Key responsibilities

Research

• Under the supervision of the Lead Health Economist and working with collaborating partners:
  • Participate in developing data collection tool adaptation and piloting to troubleshoot any issues with data collection tools.
  • Lead data collection and cleaning
  • Conduct the initial cost analysis.
  • Undertake data analysis and dissemination of findings.
    • Write a research report
    • Participate in presenting scientific findings at research conferences, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and disseminate research findings to other stakeholders such as research networks, universities/academic institutions, government departments, funders, the community, and media.
    • Participate in peer-reviewed publication.
  • Participation in project meetings and reporting as necessary.

General

• Undertake any other tasks that the line manager and/or Research Directorate shall reasonably require from time to time.
• Perform other tasks and contribute to organizational management when called upon by Zambart leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in health economics, economics or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum 1 year research experience or comparable professional experience.
• Expertise in working with MS excel is desirable.
• Experience of data management, analysis and reporting.
• Expertise in economic evaluation and with data analysis software (preferably stata) is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated writing and communication skills; ability to write research reports and papers in styles accessible to both academic and other audiences.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.