Programme Specialist, Social Policy & Health Financing

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead United Nations agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and territories, working to ensure that every individual has the right to make informed choices about their reproductive health. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, particularly in the areas of gender equality, health, and population dynamics. UNFPA's mission is driven by a focus 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 embody international norms and standards, ensuring that they defend human rights with conviction and transparency.

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist, Social Policy & Health Financing, plays a crucial role in the UNFPA Philippines Country Office, providing high-level strategic, technical, and policy guidance on social policy and health financing. This position focuses on health and protection sectors, Universal Health Care (UHC) reforms, and sustainable financing for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The incumbent will lead UNFPA's engagement with national government agencies, including the Department of Health, PhilHealth, and the Department of Finance, to facilitate policy dialogue, generate evidence, and develop innovative financing mechanisms that promote equitable access to SRHR and gender-responsive health services. The Specialist will strengthen the capacity of the Country Office to advocate for and implement sustainable financing strategies within the UHC framework, ensuring that financial sustainability, equity, and rights-based approaches are integrated into health and social protection systems. This role is vital in advancing UNFPA's mission and ensuring that the organization meets its strategic goals in a rapidly changing development landscape.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Programme Specialist include leading policy analysis on national and sub-national financing trends, fiscal space, and health and social sector expenditure. The Specialist will provide technical advice to government partners on integrating SRHR and gender-responsive services into national UHC and PhilHealth benefit packages. Additionally, the role involves generating and disseminating evidence on cost-effectiveness, investment cases, and public-private partnership models to inform policy advocacy and decision-making. The Specialist will identify and promote innovative financing mechanisms to expand access to quality SRH and GBV services, contribute to regional and global knowledge sharing, and provide strategic oversight for projects focused on social policy, health financing, and systems strengthening. Responsibilities also include coordinating technical assistance and high-level policy dialogues with government and development partners, ensuring compliance with UNFPA procedures, and integrating financial sustainability considerations into humanitarian and sub-national programmes. The Specialist will engage with ministries of health, finance, and social welfare to strengthen alignment of SRHR financing with national and local investment priorities, lead policy advocacy for increased public financing for women's and marginalized groups' health, and support UNFPA's resource mobilization efforts by preparing high-quality concept notes and proposals. Monitoring and evaluation of financial flows, efficiency, and equity in SRHR spending will also be part of the role, along with providing policy advice to senior management and serving as UNFPA's focal point on health financing within the UN Country Team.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in economics, health and/or development economics, health financing, public policy, public health, development studies, or related social sciences. Professional certification or advanced training in health economics or financing is considered an asset. The position requires a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in health financing, social policy, or health economics, including at least three years at the international level. Proven expertise in designing or implementing financing reforms, health insurance schemes, or results-based financing in developing or middle-income contexts is essential. Experience in policy dialogue and partnership building with ministries of health and finance, development partners, and the private sector is also required. Strong analytical and quantitative skills, familiarity with fiscal modeling and national health accounts, and the ability to translate complex economic analysis into actionable policy recommendations are crucial for this role. Prior experience with UN or international development organizations, data generation and analysis, and knowledge of SRHR or gender-responsive budgeting will be advantageous.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as economics, health and/or development economics, health financing, public policy, public health, development studies, or related social sciences. Additional professional certification or advanced training in health economics or financing is a plus, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in health financing, social policy, or health economics. This experience should include at least three years at the international level, demonstrating the candidate's ability to navigate complex global health financing landscapes and engage with diverse stakeholders effectively. Proven expertise in designing or implementing financing reforms, health insurance schemes, or results-based financing in developing or middle-income contexts is essential, as is experience in policy dialogue and partnership building with relevant ministries and organizations.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the UNFPA and with external partners. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable, as it can enhance communication and collaboration in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other benefits as applicable. UNFPA is committed to providing a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization encourages women and individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups to apply. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all, regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity.