AFIDEP is a regional non-profit research and policy Institute whose mission is to institutionalize a culture of consistent use of evidence in public policy formulation and implementation to address various development challenges in Africa. AFIDEP is implementing a 6-month learning project to test the theory of enhancing the salience of dedicated financing for disease surveillance as the foundation for Pandemic Preparedness and Readiness (PPR) in Africa.  

 AFIDEP is seeking a Health Economist to lead the design and execution of the “Financing Surveillance and Pandemics Preparedness and Readiness” Project. In collaboration with Ministries of Health, other government agencies, the private sector, and civil society organizations, the ideal candidate will drive the generation of evidence needed to inform discussions on surveillance, pandemic preparedness, and readiness. They will provide technical support to policymakers and facilitate regional-level engagement for domestic financing of surveillance and PPR programs. The primary focus will be to lead the project’s implementation in alignment with government needs and to expedite the execution of its commitments and strategies to enhance the country’s dedication to sustainable financing of surveillance and PPR.  

The Role and Responsibilities 

The role will involve working hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other government agencies, parliament, private sector and civil society organizations at national and sub-national level. The focus will mainly be to lead the project’s implementation by carrying out high level consultations and providing technical assistance and evidence that governments need to inform and accelerate the integration of surveillance and PPR into relevant national and sub-national budgets for sustainable financing for surveillance and PPR. The candidate will also support the regional-level engagement for domestic financing to build on countries’ ALM momentum to strengthen surveillance and PPR financing.  Specifically, the candidate will:  

• To support the design and implementation of engagements to expedite the commitments and strategies to enhance domestic health financing for surveillance and PPR in Kenya, Zambia and regional level 

• Work closely with senior leadership at the MoH to provide technical support needed by government and other stakeholders to inform and accelerate integration of surveillance and PPR into domestic health financing priorities.  

• Support the design and conduct of analyses and modelling to generate data and evidence needed to inform government decisions on sustainable financing for surveillance and PPR 

• Present the data and evidence generated from these analyses above in high-quality research paper, policy briefs, and presentations to high-level policymakers and other stakeholders.  

• Provide technical support to government’s efforts in resource mobilization both domestically, including private sector engagement, and external financing to ensure surveillance and PPR programs are financed more sustainably through diverse and innovative sources of funding. 

• Support the design and planning of highly productive policy dialogues with high-level policymakers, private sector, and civil society organizations at national and regional level. 

• Contribute to the monitoring, learning and evaluation of this to ensure sustained adaptation and integration of emerging lessons into the design of the work. 

• Support the preparation of implementation reports to the funder.  

Qualifications 

• PhD in Economics, Health Economics, or other relevant disciplines or a master’s degree in Economics, Health Economics or any other relevant disciplines with more than 5 years of relevant working experience in similar position either in Kenya or Zambia.  

• Demonstrated knowledge of health financing systems and related concepts, with an ability to review and analyze policies, strategies and plans in health financing and overall health systems. 

• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, qualitative and quantitative skills, including attention to detail and experience in modeling using relevant statistical software. 

• Strong communication skills, including preparation and delivery of compelling technical presentations, reports and other documents. 

• Effective interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to build strong professional relationships with a range of stakeholders, and excellent organizational skills. 

• Proven ability to coordinate and manage multi-stakeholder and multi-country projects and timelines.  

• Ability to work independently, set priorities, and handle multiple tasks concurrently. 

• At least three years of senior-level and relevant experience in a demanding, results-oriented environment.