Results-Based Financing Technical Expert/Team Leader in Zambia

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) saves lives and improves health, especially among the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. Working from more than 45 country offices and our Arlington, Virginia, and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, home offices, our staff from 72 nations is highly regarded for its technical expertise, integrity, and commitment to making a lasting difference in health. We live our mission to save lives and improve the health of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health.

MSH was invited by the Zambian Ministry of Health to submit a proposal to provide technical assistance to the RBF program in Zambia. MSH seeks a Results-Based Financing (RBF) Technical Expert/Team Leader. The specific objectives of the consultancy is to provide technical assistance to the project to ensure (i) effective implementation of the RBF model at district level, (ii) effective integration of design issues arising during the pilot in the national level design of the programme. The firm will work very closely with the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) to provide technical assistance during the implementation of the RBF pilot. The firm will provide hands on implementation support in the nine full RBF intervention districts.

This position is subject to award and funding.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES: The Results-Based Financing (RBF) Technical Expert/Team Leader will lead a team of four Technical Officers and will provide leadership for effective implementation of RBF in the nine RBF intervention districts, as outlined in the Zambia RBF Program Implementation Manual. S/he is the technical focal point for providing assistance to the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and to the field. S/He will be responsible for providing technical assistance, implementation and evaluation of RBF and training and building capacity of the District Medical Office, health facilities and Provincial RBF Steering Committees. S/he maintains current knowledge of best practices in results based financing and has deep experience with institutional development. In collaboration with counterparts in the Zambian Ministry of Health, s/he will design and oversee hands-on training and capacity building workshops for provincial RBF coordinators and district teams.

QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Minimum of a Master Degree in Public Health, Health Economics or Health Management Sciences or related fields. 2. A candidate with a primary degree in health, with work experience in resource-poor countries is preferred. 3. At least five years’ experience in implementing RBF programmes in Africa or elsewhere in the developing world. 4. Experience in the health system strengthening. 5. Prior work experience in World Bank financed RBF projects would be an advantage. 6. Hands-on experience in all technical aspects of a RBF programme, comprised of establishing the service package; setting fees; implementing cost control mechanisms; internal and external data verification; quality verification; and community participation in RBF schemes 7. Experience as technical lead in similar assignments. 8. Strong analytical skills, including previous experience with quantity and quality tools 9. Previous experience building capacity of intermediate and operational level health workers in results based planning and regulation. 10. Familiarity with M&E systems in developing countries. 11. Excellent management & planning expertise. 12. Excellent communication and report-writing skills in English. 13. Strong diplomatic and interpersonal skills. 14. Willingness and ability to travel within Zambia as needed.

How to apply:

Please apply directly at jhogan@msh.org.