Senior Health Policy Analyst

Salary: Per MOF Contract Staff salary scale

Terms of employment: Contract

Duration of contract: One year with possibility of extension

Place of Work: Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa 

Reporting to: National Data Management Center for health (NDMC), Lead

Quantity: One

Background

The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) has received financial support from the World Bank for Africa CDC Regional Investment Financing project to strengthen regional infectious disease detection and response systems. EPHI is the technical wing for the FMoH re-established as an exciting and dynamic autonomous federal government institute having its own legal entity in charge of three main objectives as expressed in the regulation number 301/2013: 1) Research on priority public health and nutrition issues (based on national public health research agendas), generate, translate and disseminate scientific and technological knowledge; 2) Surveillance for the early identification and detection of public health risks and prevent public health emergencies through adequate preparedness, alert, timely information to respond effectively and timely and ensure rapid recovery of the affected population from the impact of public health emergency; 3) national laboratory services on emerging and re-emerging public health emergency threats including referral diagnostic, back up services and analytical tests and support the capacity building of health and food science laboratories at the national level for quality laboratory services. In 2018, the institute has established a National Data Management Center for health (NDMC) to transform its data systems, evidence generation and data use for public health emergency responses. 

NDMC is responsible to centrally archive health and health related data; ensure data governance and security; create platforms for data sharing, access and use; process and manage data by applying robust data analytic technics, integration of datasets and apply data science to generate evidence; and ensure evidence utilization for decision making by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and other relevant stakeholders at local, sub-national, national, and international levels; ensure relevant capacities are built at local, national and regional levels and to serve as center of excellence. 

The NDMC has the responsibility of implementing Africa CDC Regional Investment Financing Project (ACDCP) functions related to producing evidence which suffice ministerial needs. Presenting this evidence from the policy makers’ point of view is affirmative. Hence, the center plans to hire a Health Policy Analyst with the aim of bringing scientific critics and recommendations on the existing plans, policies and directions being implemented in the health dynamics of Ethiopia. EPHI is therefore looking for a high calibre Senior Health Policy Analyst with strong qualification and experience to contribute for the effective implementation of its aforementioned responsibilities. The successful candidate will work in close coordination with the Policy, Strategy & Research Lead Executive Office at FMOH.

Objectives                                                                                                                       

The objective of this post is to ensure deployment of high caliber Senior Health Policy Analyst, who can conduct policy and program research, analyze health policy, regulations, and administrative datasets, work directly with FMoH, regional health bureaux, and partners to support policy implementation, and contribute to the design and preparation of technical assistance and related issue /policy briefs. Moreover, the post aspires to bring an expert who can contribute something to the existing network built with the FMoH and partners. 

Roles and Responsibilities                                                                                                     

The Senior Health Policy Analyst needs to have a broad knowledge of a wide range of health policy issues, an understanding of the use of evidence within the health policy process, and a sense for how various policy and political points of view apply to specific health policy issues. He or she will regularly liaise with high-level policy professionals, government officials, and NDMC staffs. 

On research technical skill/advisory 

• Designs different types of research programs, research proposals and protocols to improve the health care system of Ethiopia;

• Owns an understanding of how audience operate and learn, including the media, and other health policy stakeholders;

• Conducts and gives advises in-depth policy analysis;

• Produces policy relevant findings from rigorous systematic reviews, in-depth analysis of studies etc.;

• Understands local and international research ethics;

• Provides substantial contribution in the scientific advisory committee, research technical working groups and others;

• Uses statistical software such as STATA, SPSS, or R etc. for analysing research data

On translating evidence to policy

• Identifies evidence demands and supplies of the FMoH;

• Assesses the quality of different sources of evidence to facilitate health policy decision; 

• Coordinates evidence to policy translation forums and dialogues;

• Develops evidence use tracking mechanisms at national and regional levels;

• Disseminates research findings using different scientific and media outlets 

On coordination, collaboration and networking

• Creates national information revolution platform; research data source collaborators or networks, routine data source collaborators or networks;

• Establishes research communication and interpersonal communication;

• Understands existing health policies, strategies and plans of Ethiopia; 

• Works independently, supervise different data sources;

• Participates and organizes meetings, seminars and conferences on health policies

• Negotiates with funding organizations, research institutes, and individual researchers 

• Facilitates and assists in mapping, centralizing, digitizing, managing and analysing existing and new data sources in the country  

• Working closely with other evidence synthesis and translation specialists at NDMC to disseminate research findings at local, sub-national, national, and international levels

Key Activities

• Critically appraise the existing health policies, plans, and directions, and provide evidence-based recommendations

• Identify possible barriers that prevent effective implementation of existing health intervention programs and strategies

• Suggest implementation strategies that provide solutions to the implementation problems of existing health intervention programs and strategies

• Evaluate the implementation outcomes of existing implementation strategies

• Assess health systems readiness for the successful implementation of effective health intervention programs and strategies

• Network researchers, police-makers, politicians, implementers, and practitioners for effective implementation of existing health policies, programs and strategies

• Provide mentorship services on issues related to health policy development, implementation, and evaluation

• Disseminate scientific evidences that will advance the processes of health policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation through social media, workshops, policy briefs, and publications 

• Develop technical protocol to govern the flow of ideas and procedures in the process of health policy development, implementation, and evaluation

• Secure research grants to develop, implement, and evaluate health policy innovations

Qualification and Experience

• MSc/MPH in Health Policy, Health Services Management, Public Health, or Health Economics and PhD would be a plus

• 6 years of experience in the policy arena with practical experiences regarding the key responsibilities

Desired Skills

• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic guidance and technical assistance,

• Experience working with policymakers, advocates, and other relevant constituencies to develop policy options and achieve change,

• Familiarity with the HSTP II and Health policy of Ethiopia,

• Strong analytical and research skill,

• Experiences on writing evidence/policy briefs and dissemination activities, 

• Leadership and management skills and experiences,

• Experiences in establishing collaboration and partnership,

• Excellent judgement and strong written and verbal communication skills are essential

• Professional, enthusiastic, hardworking and “can do” attitude,

• Curiosity and commitment to learning,

• Capable of independently managing time and the tasks associated with a fast-paced research agenda and strong organizational objectives,

• Proficiency of English language in writing and speaking is mandatory.

How To Apply

Note  Interested applicants can register in Online through only  ethiojobs.net   send their CVs and relevant documents at the address given below within 10 days from the first appearance of the announcement

Remarks: Please attach copies of transcripts, academic degree or recommendation letters together with the application. If not attached the copies you may be not short listed.