Health Finance Specialist Job in Nairobi Kenya

Health Finance Specialist, Kenya / SHOPS (Technical Specialist 10)
 

International Health, Private Sector Health Systems

Location: Nairobi, Kenya
 

Job Requisition Number: TBD

The Strengthening Health Outcomes through the Private Sector (SHOPS) project is USAID's flagship project in private sector health. 

It works to involve nongovernmental organizations and for-profit entities in addressing the many health needs of people in developing countries, with particular focus on family planning and reproductive health, child health, and HIV/AIDS. 

Abt Associates is seeking to hire a Health Finance Specialist to manage and provide technical assistance to health finance activities implemented byKenya/SHOPS.

General Job Responsibilities

A Technical Specialist (TS) at this level would be an expert in the professional field.  

He/she would have direct project management responsibility for a small project or one component of an overall project that is large, highly complex, highly visible, and well-funded.  

General responsibilities may include:

• Provide direct  management and technical direction to one or several components of the project;
• Design and implement one or more of the project’s technical aspects;
• Manage and monitor technical aspects of the program, and advise the Project Director on technical, budgetary, and management aspects of implementation;
• Provide research, analysis, and consultation on project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation;
• Collaborate with key partners (government, NGO, commercial sector, USAID partners and other donors); and
• Serve as subject matter expert.

Specific Job Responsibilities
The Health Finance Specialist will report to the Chief of Party and liaise with technical management at Abt/SHOPS headquarters. 

The Health Finance Specialist is expected to:

• Provide technical assistance (TA) for health finance activities, including research, analysis, and advisory services.  These activities may include but are not limited to: identification and scale-up of health care financing mechanisms, including micro-insurance and medical savings accounts; development and piloting of provider payment mechanisms; expansion of health insurance coverage through promotion of healthcare financing partnerships; and costing analysis for outpatient and inpatient packages.
• In collaboration with the Kenya/SHOPS team, work to develop and sustain partnerships with government partners, private sector stakeholders, and other donors in support of these activities.
• Provide management and budgetary oversight on implementation of health financing activities to ensure all activities are completed within the agreed to timeframe and budget.
• Track progress of health financing activities against the workplan in accordance with available funding.  Ensure all processes and procedures for project implementation are in accordance with USAID guidelines and protocols.
• Support monitoring and evaluation of project activities, including ongoing assessment of health finance activities, and support project documentation (including financial reporting) as needed.  Contribute to project deliverables, including reporting and writing.  As additional funding becomes available, provide guidance for additional activities or expanded scope or existing activities in consultation with the Kenya/SHOPS team and USAID/Kenya. 
• As a member of the Kenya/SHOPS team, participate in and contribute to the workplan development and updating process, including providing technical and budgetary guidance for health finance activities.  Participate in team meetings and contribute to the overall success of program implementation. 
• Develop SOWs and help identify consultants to support program implementation.
• Regularly track and report progress of health finance activities by contributing to quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports in accordance to USAID reporting guidelines.
• Contribute to business development efforts in Kenya as appropriate, by providing technical input into new proposals for USAID and other donors.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree and 6+ years of relevant experience OR the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• 5+ years of experience in developing and managing health finance programs for vulnerable populations, preferably in Kenya;
• Experience working on USAID programs or other donor funded work;
• Excellent partnership development and collaboration skills, including with Ministries of Health, private sector stakeholders, and other donors;
• Project management experience dealing with various elements of a large project and various team members across the world;
• Demonstrated teamwork skills and ability to produce high quality work in a timely manner;
• English language fluency and excellent written and spoken communication skills;
• Computer literacy.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Technical expertise in one or more of the following areas: health economics, health financing, health insurance, and costing.
• Familiarity with the public sector’s mechanisms and policy/regulatory environment related to health financing in Kenya.

Please include a short (3-5 page) writing sample.

How to Apply:

If you are qualified for and interested this position, please send your CV and brief cover e-mail expressing your interest to Bernadette Lee at Abt Associates: Bernadette_Lee@abtassoc.com.