Health Economist Midwifery Investment Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The organization behind this job posting is UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), which is a leading global organization focused on reproductive health and rights. Established in 1969, UNFPA works in over 150 countries, aiming to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization is dedicated to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls, and it plays a crucial role in addressing global health challenges, particularly in maternal and newborn health. UNFPA collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and other UN agencies, to implement programs that improve health outcomes and promote sustainable development. With a workforce of thousands of employees worldwide, UNFPA is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

Job Overview:
The Health Economist Midwifery Investment Specialist will play a pivotal role in advancing midwifery as a critical component of health systems in Nigeria. This position is part of a broader initiative aimed at scaling up the Midwifery Model of Care (MMoC) to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. The consultant will be responsible for leading economic and financial analyses that will inform the development of an investment case for midwifery in Nigeria. This involves quantifying the economic benefits of investing in midwifery, conducting scenario modeling, and providing evidence-based recommendations to policymakers. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including government ministries and health organizations, to facilitate workshops and gather data necessary for the investment case. The ultimate goal is to create a compelling argument for increased investment in midwifery services, thereby contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3).

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Health Economist Consultant will undertake a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Co-facilitating a national induction workshop in collaboration with the Public Health Specialist and key stakeholders to present the objectives of the investment case.
• Planning and facilitating 3-4 national and subnational workshops to support the investment case for midwifery, including inception workshops and validation meetings.
• Conducting a situational analysis of the funding landscape for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH+N) in Nigeria, reviewing government budgets, donor flows, and identifying financing gaps.
• Utilizing health impact modeling tools to estimate the costs and health impacts of scaling up midwifery interventions, including workforce development strategies.
• Calculating the return on investment (ROI) for midwifery care by comparing costs against monetized benefits, including savings from reduced medical interventions.
• Analyzing the fiscal space for health and proposing strategies to expand it for midwifery and related health sectors.
• Drafting comprehensive reports and deliverables, including the investment case document, policy briefs, and advocacy materials.
• Ensuring regular communication and collaboration with stakeholders throughout the consultancy period to validate findings and recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a postgraduate degree in Health Economics, Economics, Public Financing, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in health financing, economic evaluation of health programs, and cost-benefit analysis is required. Demonstrated experience with health impact and economic modeling tools, such as the OneHealth Tool and Lives Saved Tool (LiST), is highly desirable. Candidates should have a strong understanding of innovative health financing mechanisms and prior experience in developing investment cases in low-resource settings. Knowledge of Nigeria's health system, policies, and services is essential. Excellent analytical, facilitation, and communication skills are necessary, along with strong drafting and writing abilities. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital collaboration tools is also required.

Educational Background:
The position requires a postgraduate degree in Health Economics, Economics, Public Financing, or a closely related field. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of health financing and economic evaluation in the context of midwifery and maternal health.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 5 years of experience in health financing, economic evaluation of health programs, and cost-benefit analysis. Experience with health impact modeling tools and a strong understanding of innovative health financing mechanisms are essential. Prior experience in developing investment cases in low-resource settings, particularly in Nigeria, will be an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is a full-time position with a contract type of Individual Consultancy (IC) for a duration of 40 days over a period of six months. The consultancy is specifically open to Nigerian nationals. The consultant will be supervised by the Technical Specialist for Reproductive and Maternal Health at the UNFPA country office, with technical guidance provided by designated UNFPA team members and regional experts. The consultancy includes a milestone-based payment structure, with payments released upon successful submission and approval of specific deliverables. The consultant is expected to have minimal travel, primarily for meetings requested by relevant ministries, with travel costs covered by UNFPA according to its policies. UNFPA promotes a work environment that values gender equality, diversity, and integrity, and encourages qualified women and persons with disabilities to apply.