Switzerland Senior Specialist, Health Systems

Duty station: Geneva, Switzerland Purpose of the post: Lead design and implementation of cash based support grants with focus on health system strengthening Team: Country Reviews and Grant Renewals, Country Programmes Reports to: Director of Country Reviews and Grant Renewals N° of posts supervised: 2 Career step level: 5

Key results expected: • Develop a more consistent strategy and concept for strengthening health systems for better immunization outcomes; • Improve coordination with the Health System Funding Platform partners; • Implement more rigorous monitoring of the performance of cash based programmes; • Produce better communication materials on health system strengthening work supported by GAVI; • Develop a set of key policy documents and papers on designing and implementing cash based support.

Main duties/ Responsibilities: • Under the direction of the Director of Country Reviews and Grant Renewals, handle the implementation of the health system strengthening agenda under the Strategic Goal 2 of GAVI’s 2011-2015 Strategic Plan; • Coordinate development of papers on health system strengthening and cash-based support to countries (analytical, conceptual, board papers and reports, briefs, memos, etc.) for various purposes: the governance events of GAVI alliance (e.g. Board Meetings, Policy and Planning Committee Meetings, Executive Committee Meetings, etc), internal discussions and policy formulation, policy discussion and dialogue with external constituencies, etc. In doing so the incumbent will maintain close consultations with Policy and Performance team and will seek broader guidance by the Director of Country Reviews and Grant Renewals; • Coordinate various technical working groups (within the GAVI secretariat or across multiple agencies) related to GAVI’s cash-based support to countries for health system strengthening under the Health System Funding Platform (HSFP); • Develop a framework for operationalization of GAVI’s performance-based financing model of cash-based support; • Work closely with relevant internal and external constituencies on providing tailored support to fragile and underperforming countries; • Represent GAVI Secretariat at various development partners’ fora such as HSPF interagency group, International Health Partnership Plus (IHP+) group, etc; • Act as GAVI’s main focal point in interaction with other development partners (World Bank, WHO, Global Fund, USAID, DFID, SIDANORAD, AusAID, etc.) on matters related to health system strengthening and implementation of HSFP; • Coordinate annual work plan development (quarterly deliverables) related to Strategic Goal 2 for both the GAVI Secretariat as well as its partners contributing to Strategic Goal 2. Regularly report on the implementation of the workplan; • Manage information (with Media and Communications) on the HSFP making it accessible to internal and external stakeholders and maintain the GAVI shared drive, Sharepoint and MyGAVI site; • Supervise implementation of cash based grants by countries in close collaboration with Transparency and Accountability Policy Team and GAVI’s Internal Auditor through active engagement with the Country Responsible Officers; • Prepare briefing, content and speaking points on health systems for meetings with donors and other interested parties, and producing presentations for various events; • Provide technical support to country officers in overseeing implementation of health system strengthening grants and in carrying out policy dialogue with the country-based stakeholders.

Note: The essential functions listed in this section are not limited only to the tasks listed and may include other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Academic: • Advanced University degree (Masters or PhD) in Social Sciences, Public Health, or Health Economics.

Work experience: • Minimum 9 years of professional experience in managing international health programmes focused on health system strengthening; in providing technical assistance to countries in health sector reforms, health policy analysis and implementation of health projects; • Direct field experience in developing countries; • Proven experience in coordinating development partners’ fora or multiagency technical working groups; • At least 5 years of work experience in an international health and development organization.; • Previous work experience in one of the HSFP core partner organizations is an asset;

Skills/competencies: • Proven analytical and technical writing skills; • Ability to combine theoretically sound strategies with realities on the ground; • Ability to strike the right balance between analysis and actions; • Ability to multi-task, correctly set priorities, and adapt to a fast-paced work environment; • Team-player and client-oriented; • Highly motivated individual capable of taking initiatives; • Ability adapt to organizational changes; • Good knowledge of institutional or organization policies, systems and procedures; • Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment; • Tact and discretion. Languages: • Written and spoken fluency in English; • French is desirable.

Internal contacts: • Policy and Performance Team • Transparency and Accountability Policy Team and Internal Auditor • Finance and Budget Team • External Relations Team

External contacts: • WHO • UNICEF • World Bank • Bilateral Agencies: DFID, SIDA, USAID, NORAD, AusAID, etc.

GAVI is committed to diversity within its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.

If you wish to apply, please email your cover letter and resume to: recruiting@gavialliance.org by the closing date and reference to “Senior Specialist, Health Systems” in the subject line. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.