Chief Health Insurance and Social Protection Officer, AHHD2 at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

African Development Bank Group (AfDB) - Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 80 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Chief Health Insurance and Social Protection Officer, AHHD2

Position Number: 50058525
Location: Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Position Grade: PL3

The Complex

• The Vice Presidency for ‘Agriculture, Human, and Social Development’ is a Sector Complex focusing on the Bank’s Ten Year Strategy High 5s priorities of “Feed Africa” and “Improve Quality of Life for the People of Africa”.
• The complex objectives are (i) to develop policy and strategy; (ii) provide deep sector expertise to the Regions by gathering pools of experienced individuals who can be consulted to provide sector expertise on complex transactions; and (iii) develop new financing instruments. The Vice President will act as the spokesperson to represent the Bank with external stakeholders on aspects of “Feed Africa” and Improve Quality of Life for the People.

The Hiring Department / Division

• The Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Department, within the Agriculture, Human and Social Development Complex, spearheads the achievement of the High 5s on “Improving the Quality of Life of People in Africa” and contributes to the other High 5s.
• The Department has two divisions (i) Education, Human Capital and Employment Division, which focuses on scaling-up of Bank’s support to higher education and skills development; and (ii) Public Health, Social Protection and Nutrition Division, which focuses on strengthening health systems, social protection and nutrition for human wellbeing. The Department leads on the implementation of the Bank wide Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy.
• The Public Health, Social Protection and Nutrition Division leads the development and promotion of the Bank’s policy and strategy work so that operations (both Sovereign Operations and Non-Sovereign Operations), which are identified, developed and executed by the Bank effectively implement the Bank’s relevant sector policies and strategies.
• The Division is currently leading the preparation of A Strategy for Quality Health Infrastructure in Africa. The Division provides technical guidance/advisory services and expertise to regional hubs by generating relevant knowledge and gathering a pool of experienced individuals who can be consulted to provide technical advice on complex transactions.
• The Division also fosters strategic partnerships with regional and global partners to leverage resources into the human capital development sectors.
• It also directly contributes to the work of the various initiatives and trust funds hosted under AHHD; and ensures coherence of the Bank’s action in public health, social protection and nutrition across regions.

The Position
The Chief Health Insurance and Social Protection Officer reports to the Manager of Public Health, Social Protection and Nutrition Division. She/he will support the Bank’s health and social protection agenda as follows:

• Support African countries in strengthening their health insurance and social protection systems.
• Strengthen relevant institutions through advisory services and capacity building programmes and other forms of support. 
• Contribute or where appropriate, lead, the preparation and appraisal of lending operations.
• Ensure that relevant colleagues at central and decentralized levels are continuously updated on emerging issues on health financing, health insurance and social protection.
• Initiate and lead knowledge work, technical and sectoral studies on the Bank’s health and social protection agenda, in particular regarding access to the last mile.
• Support the development and rolling out of social protection guidelines, tools, etc.
• All above responsibilities entail close working relationships within the relevant partnerships of which the Bank is a member, as well as with individual donor institutions as appropriate.
• Provide expertise to the Department and other relevant Bank’s departments.
• Provide documented strategic advice to Management.
• Contribute to the preparation of policies and strategies

Key Functions
Under the supervision of the Manager of Public Health, Social Protection and Nutrition Division, the Chief Health Insurance and Social Protection Officer shall perform the following key functions:

• Provide knowledge and technical advice on appropriate instruments to be supported in order to ensure that the Bank’s support helps to raise productivity and support participation of poor and vulnerable people.
• Provide leadership on health insurance and social protection issues in the Department. The incumbent will serve as a focal point on health insurance and social protection issues and is expected to influence the design and execution of relevant Bank operations and activities. He/she will play a key role in promoting innovative practical health and social protection approaches/strategies.
• Develop relations with experts in the Department and other departments of the Bank and partners; and play a promotional role in generating new business for the Bank in the field of social protection.
• Promote integration of poverty/vulnerability analysis by providing poverty assessments and profiles to inform sector operations. This will apply to both Sovereign and Non-Sovereign Operations.
• Recommend health sector studies/projects/programmes in the areas of health insurance, health economics and social protection. This will in particular cover technology-based innovative solutions as well as the potential of the private sector in health insurance and social protection.
• Lead economic and sector work to inform country dialogue and policies on health insurance and social protection.
• Analyse benefit policies, coverage and enrolment issues, accreditation, and negotiation with healthcare service providers in the Bank’s Regional Member Countries.
• Initiate and maintain a high-level policy dialogue with borrowers and other agencies involved in health insurance and social protection activities.
• Advise Governments/Bank Management on proposed health insurance strategies, policies and operational plans.
• Represent the Bank at seminars and conferences related to health insurance and social protection.
• Cultivate external partnerships and networks and liaise with other multilateral and bilateral institutions (such as WORLD BANK, UNICEF, WHO, ILO, etc. and regional institutions such as AU, UNECA, ECOWAS, SADC, EAC, COMESA, IGAD, and Initiatives such as the Harmonization for Health in Africa (HHA) and the Global Network for Health Financing and Social Protection (P4H) to help Regional Member Countries identify the right sources of technical support for their needs.
• Performing other related administrative or technical duties as required by the Manager of Public Health, Social Protection and Nutrition Division and other senior management of the Bank.

Competencies
Skills, experience and knowledge:

• At least a Master’s Degree in Health Economics, Development Economics, Public Health, International Development and/or relevant disciplines with a good knowledge of social protection and health insurance issues;
• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in multilateral development institutions or reputable development organisations;
• Strong research/analytical skills with ability to strategically and rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations;
• Experience in project cycle management (identification, preparation, appraisal, supervision and completion);
• Ability to understand complex problems and recommend innovative and pragmatic solutions;
• Good analytical, networking, facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Excellent team player.
• Strong understanding of multi-sector approaches and gaps in health and social protection;
• Demonstrable knowledge of analysis and formulation of policies and operations in health insurance and social protection;
• Deep understanding of health systems strengthening, including in particular acquaintance with health financing and public-private collaboration issues;
• Knowledge of the practices of major bilateral and multilateral agencies and other development partners in health insurance and social protection;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and/or French, with a good working knowledge of the other language;
• Competence in the use of standard MS Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project). Knowledge of SAP would be an advantage.

Application Closing Date
18th September, 2021.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Important Information and Notice

• Applicants who fully meet the Bank's requirements and are considered for further assessment will be contacted. Applicants should submit a concise Curriculum Vitae (CV) and any additional documents that may be stated as required. The President of the African Development Bank reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level.  The African Development Bank is an equal opportunities employer. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) does not ask for payments of any kind from applicants throughout the recruitment process (job application, CV review, interview meeting, and final processing of applications). In addition, the Bank does not request information on applicants’ bank accounts. The African Development Bank Group declines all responsibility for the fraudulent publications of job offers in its name or, in general, for the fraudulent use of its name in any way whatsoever . 
• Please note that the Bank does not accept dual nationality. Therefore, you are required to declare the nationality you would like to be considered by the Bank throughout your career, if hired. Please upload supporting Government issued IDs such as passport, National Identity Card or Certificate etc.