Economist Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the lead agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established to address global population issues, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health, promote gender equality, and empower young people. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, focusing on four interconnected outcomes: ending unmet needs for family planning, preventing maternal deaths, eliminating gender-based violence, and adapting to demographic changes through evidence-based policies. UNFPA emphasizes the importance of principled and ethical staff who uphold international norms and standards, ensuring effective communication, partnership-building, and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development landscape.

Job Overview:
The Economist Consultant will lead the economic and analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">financial analysis for the midwifery investment case in Kenya. This role involves quantifying costs, economic benefits, and overall return on investment (ROI) for scaling up midwifery models of care. The consultant will work under the supervision of the SRHR & Health Systems Specialist and will collaborate with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, to develop a compelling case for increased investments in midwifery. The position requires a strong understanding of health financing and economic evaluation, as well as the ability to engage with government and partners to advocate for midwifery funding. The consultant will adapt UNFPA's global framework to the Kenyan context, generating evidence to drive improvements in midwifery services and ensuring that the investment case aligns with national health priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive funding and financial analysis of the current landscape for SRMNCAH and midwifery in Kenya. This includes analyzing government budgets, donor flows, and out-of-pocket expenditures to identify financing gaps and opportunities for resource reallocation. The consultant will also perform a costing analysis using tools like the OneHealth Tool and LiST to estimate the total costs of scaling up midwifery interventions, including workforce development costs. Additionally, the consultant will quantify the long-term economic benefits of improved health outcomes, calculate the ROI for investing in midwifery care, and engage with key stakeholders to validate findings. Reporting will involve drafting economic and financial sections of reports and delivering a cohesive investment case document.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Economics, Health Economics, Public Finance, or a related field. A minimum of 7-10 years of professional experience in health financing, economic evaluation of health programs, or cost-benefit analysis is required. Knowledge of health costing and economic modeling tools, such as the OneHealth Tool and LiST, is an asset. Demonstrated expertise in conducting ROI analysis for social sector programs and a strong understanding of innovative health financing mechanisms are essential. Experience working in Kenya or the East & South Africa region is highly desirable, along with excellent analytical, quantitative, writing, and communication skills in English.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in Economics, Health Economics, Public Finance, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of health financing and economic evaluation necessary for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7-10 years of professional experience in health financing, economic evaluation of health programs, or cost-benefit analysis. Candidates should have a strong track record of working on similar projects, particularly in the context of health systems and midwifery services.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Strong communication skills in English are essential for drafting reports, engaging with stakeholders, and presenting findings. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is for a period of 40 days over four months, commencing the day after the contract's signature. The consultant is expected to work remotely, utilizing their own office space and equipment. UNFPA will provide support and guidance, facilitate contacts with relevant partners, and cover transportation costs within Nairobi for required meetings. All documents prepared during the assignment will be treated as property of UNFPA Kenya CO, and prior written approval is necessary for any use or reproduction of these documents. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest, CV, and a sample of a similar assignment undertaken within the last five years.