Health Economist (AfCDC) at the African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Health Economist (AfCDC)

Requisition ID: 2470
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Grade: GSA5
Contract Type:  Fixed Term
Division: Health Economics and Financing
Reports to: Head, Health Economics and Financing 
Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC

Purpose of Job
The purpose of this job is to support the Africa CDC Health Economics Programme (HEP) in undertaking activities in the following areas:

• Evidence translation: The HEP works to deliver various technical analyses or evidence translation initiatives in support of the Africa CDC and Member States. The Officer will provide support to this process, working with other HEP staff and often engaging one-to-one with consultants and members of expert working groups, ensuring work sufficiently addresses policy needs and leading the dissemination and use of findings.
• Evidence generation: Undertake or oversee the delivery of other applied analyses in line with the HEP's strategy and implementation plan. In addition to supporting existing work, several other priorities for evidence generation are undertaken. The Officer will steer assigned portfolio of planned analyses, provide technical support to junior analysts and engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure policy relevance.
• Partnership development: Work with Head of the HEP to map potential partners and develop concept notes for new partnerships or collaborations to deliver on the HEP strategic vision. The HEP is a nascent and expanding Programme. The Officer will work under the supervision of the Head of HEP to develop concept notes for strategic partnerships.
• Stakeholder engagement: Beyond formal partnerships, the HEP has developed a diverse network of key stakeholders, including other teams and collaborating Centres within ACDC, Ministries of Health in ACDC member states, universities, development partners and UN agencies. The Officer will support the HEP Head to map relevant stakeholders and maintain and strengthen relationships

Main Functions

• Under the supervision of the Head of Division, Health Economics and Financing, the Health Economist will provide technical guidance to support implementation of holistic Health Economics and Financing programming within AU Member States through supporting the implementation of the Africa CDC Health Economics and Financing Program work plan and strategy

Specific Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate the implementation of the Programme's objectives and its mainstreaming into continental, regional and national development plans.
• Provide technical and intellectual support in the management of various partnerships relevant for the Programme.
• Identify best practices and monitor effectiveness of the Programme's support to AU.
• Foster and ensure implementation of large-scale and long-term initiatives related to Strategic Partnerships.
• Provide ongoing technical guidance and assistance through the Programme to Africa CDC Divisions, Regional Coordinating Centres, Regional Economic Communities and other agencies of the AU and African Union Member States
• Support convening of regional workshops and training sessions with focal points for capacity building and review on the implementation of the respective priority areas of the Programme
• Support the development of monitoring and evaluation framework and concise impact, outcome and output indicators;
• Develop appropriate tools for data collection, analysis and reporting on the implementation of programmes at the institutional levels, including mid-term reviews, impact assessment, programme performance and terminal evaluation;
• Support the design and implement an M&E system, guidelines, manuals and standard operating procedures.
• Develop, in collaboration with key stakeholders, key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor programme and activities within the Programme, and make recommendations for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of programme implementation;
• Draft quarterly, mid-year and annual progress and performance reports
• Undertake periodic field missions to monitor and assess programme implementation and progress, and to ensure compliance with operational procedures (results and logical frameworks);
• Provide support to the development of programme and grant proposals, and resource mobilization.
• Participate in meetings, technical working groups, inter-agency task forces, and other relevant forums;
• Monitor, prepare, analyze, and evaluate technical reports and other relevant materials in the key areas and facilitate dissemination of good practices;

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in health economics with 5 years of experience in health economics in the area of quantitative health economics research methods, including (but not limited to) economic evaluation, health technology assessments/priority setting, health financing, with experience working in one or more Member States.
• Master’s degree in health economics, with a minimum of 2 years of experience in health economics in the area of quantitative health economics research methods, including (but not limited to) economic evaluation, health technology assessments/priority setting, health financing, with experience working in one or more Member States.
• Experience working with policymakers will be an advantage.
• Applicants must have in-depth knowledge about the health system of at least one or more of the African Union Member State(s) and relevant experience supplying and/or using health economics research (or similar) in support of decision making by relevant agencies/reimbursement bodies is desirable.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to advance research projects independently while being accountable for the accuracy of outputs.
• Ability to translate highly technical information into presentations, policy briefings, reports and funding proposals for a range of audiences.
• Good writing skills, evidenced in peer review and other publications.
• Ability to develop grant proposals.
• Ability to work independently and interactively in a team setting, be motivated and responsible, have a great work capacity, and have commitment and enthusiasm for communication of research findings.
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages is required (English, French, Arabic, Kiswahili, Portuguese or Spanish). Fluency in English and knowledge of any additional language is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Change Management
• Managing Risk:

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence ....

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Job Knowledge and information sharing:
• Drive for result:
• Continuous Improvement Awareness

Tenure of Appointment

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period.
• Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables.

Gender Mainstreaming:

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Language:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Remuneration

• The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 85,212.07 (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 66,751.81 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
11th November, 2024.