Health Economist

Job Posting Organization:
The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization founded in 2002, primarily in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Its mission is to save lives and reduce the burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries. CHAI operates in over 40 countries, focusing on creating and sustaining high-quality health systems by working with governments and the private sector. The organization has expanded its focus beyond HIV to include infectious diseases like COVID-19, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis, as well as non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes. CHAI emphasizes sustainable impact and government-led solutions, ensuring that programs are designed for national scalability and that learnings are shared globally. CHAI values diversity and inclusion, recognizing that a diverse workforce enhances its mission and effectiveness.

Job Overview:
The Health Economist position at CHAI is designed for an experienced and strategic individual who will support the implementation of the Health Systems Integration program in Zambia. This role focuses on optimizing health funding, strengthening supply chains, enhancing service delivery for prevention and antiretroviral therapy (ART), and integrating HIV programming into the general health system. The Associate Health Systems Integration (HSI) will work closely with the HSI Program Manager to execute initiatives that are critical for improving health systems delivery, particularly in light of the evolving health financing architecture. The position requires a deep understanding of health economics and the ability to apply this knowledge to real-world challenges in the health sector.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Health Economist will be responsible for a variety of tasks including:

• Planning, budgeting, allocation, and prioritization: Supporting governments in strengthening national and sub-national health planning and budgeting processes to address funding and implementation gaps.
• Providing technical assistance in setting priorities based on cost-effectiveness, disease burden, equity, and financial sustainability.
• Utilizing data to facilitate transparent and participatory processes for resource allocation across competing health needs.
• Identifying inefficiencies in health system spending and supporting governments in implementing reforms to improve value for money.
• Analyzing program costs and performance data to inform strategies for more efficient service delivery, particularly at the primary care level.
• Supporting the design and implementation of strategic purchasing reforms.
• Advocating for increased public funding for health and providing analytical inputs to support dialogue between Ministries of Health and Finance.
• Helping design and assess innovative financing mechanisms where relevant.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in economics, Health Economics, International Development, or a related quantitative discipline. A Master’s degree in these fields is preferred. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in health economics, health management, or health systems strengthening, with increasing responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in using quantitative and economic analysis to inform health sector policies is essential, with a preference for familiarity with cost-effectiveness and efficiency analyses. A proven track record of working with low- and middle-income country governments and donor agencies is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as economics or health economics. A Master’s degree in these areas is considered an advantage and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of experience in a relevant field, such as health economics or health systems strengthening. Candidates should have progressively increasing responsibilities in their previous roles, demonstrating their capability to handle complex health system challenges effectively.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the international nature of the organization and the need for effective communication with various stakeholders. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position is critical in the context of Zambia's health sector, particularly with the impending changes in health funding architecture expected in 202

• The role is full-time and involves working closely with government entities and other stakeholders to ensure effective health service delivery. CHAI is committed to diversity and inclusion, and the organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer, ensuring that all applicants have access to equal employment opportunities.