The Technical Adviser, Health Adviser is located in the Commodity Security Branch (CSB) of the Technical Division, and reports to the Chief of CSB.
The Technical Adviser, Health Adviser is among the lead advisors and will be providing technical leadership and guidance to the UNFPA Supplies Programme specially in the areas of strategy & planning, risk and FP/RH finance. S/he will work closely with other Technical Adviser and Specialists, the Regional Advisors and Country Offices.
Job Requirements
UNFPA Supplies – a multilateral, multi-donor, UNFPA-managed thematic trust fund –is the world’s largest provider of donated contraceptives. The programme provides over 40 percent of all contraceptives donated to developing countries and helps strengthen health systems to deliver them. Since its inception in 2007, the programme has mobilized over US$1 billion to support national action to expand access to family planning for millions of the world’s poorest women and girls. UNFPA Supplies is uniquely positioned to support countries in their efforts to ensure universal health coverage (UHC), helping to build stronger, integrated health systems that will ensure access to and use of rights-based family planning services, contraceptives, and maternal health medicines.
UNFPA Supplies is governed through a tiered committee structure made up of key programme stakeholders and donors that provides strategic direction and management oversight. A Steering Committee approves programme strategy and key documents based on recommendations from three targeted sub-committees with deeper engagement and subject-matter expertise on finance & risk, strategy & planning, and human resources. Broader stakeholder input and engagement is achieved through annual Partner Assembly meetings.
The Technical Adviser, Health Financing works under the direct supervision of the Chief, CSB. S/he holds the primary responsibility to providing technical support and leadership all areas that relate global, regional and in-country family planning and reproductive health financing, the incorporation of FP/RH services within Universal Health Coverage (UHC) schemes and the planning, allocation and spending on FP/RH services and commodities by national governments.
Education: Advanced degree preferred in a relevant field such as health economics, health financing, public health, public policy, business, or other relevant disciplines preferred.
Knowledge and Experience:
10 years of relevant professional experience;
Deep technical understanding of one or more key areas of expertise for UNFPA Supplies (e.g., direct experience working with in-country supply chains);
Ability to synthesize ideas and messages into digestible presentations/documents by non-technical readers;
Agreeable/cooperative;
Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
Expert in measuring the relations between health and development, the economic determinants of health and the impact of health investments on national economies.
Knowledge and skills in developing policy on issues related to health and health care expenditures and financing policies, on the inter relationships between macroeconomic policies and health and health care issues.
Strong knowledge of inter-linkages between macroeconomic, fiscal and health financing issues and in the areas of health economics and health financing of national health systems.
Technical expertise in providing technical assistance in the development of financially sustainable national health policies, strategies, plans and/or programs under the primary health care principles and values.
Knowledge in the use of global and regional databases on national accounts, government finances, national health expenditures, consumer price indexes, household surveys and other social and economic indicators.
Strong professional oral and writing skills including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.
Languages: Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.
Other Desirable Skills: Initiative, strong conceptual abilities, sound judgment, collaborative, strong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United Nations.