Job Opportunity at UNICEF, Economist (Health), (P-3), TA

Job no: 538546

Contract type: Temporary Appointment

Level: P-3

Location: Tanzania,Uni.Re

Categories: Health, Social and Economic Policy, P-3

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged in order children to save their lives, to defend their right and to help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone and we never give up.

For every child, access.

The Social Inclusion Programme of UNICEF Tanzania works to reduce child poverty in all its forms through quality, evidence-based policies, programmes and budgets for all children, especially the most marginalized, at national and sub-national levels. This overall objective will be achieved through 3 strategic pillars: (i) strengthening systems for data and research on children’s rights and child poverty; (ii) formulating and operationalizing child-sensitive policies and plans and leveraging domestic resources through public finance for children; and (iii) promoting the development of a comprehensive and integrated social protection system as a key national strategy to reduce child poverty.

How can you make a difference?

Strengthened PFM systems rest on high quality engagement across multiple layers of government’s institutional architecture. Strong systems, in turn, result in the effective delivery of basic services affecting children and other vulnerable groups. By enhancing the quality of LGA engagement in national planning and budgeting processes, this effort aims to build national capacity, whilst leveraging data and evidence to inform strategic policy decisions at both central and local government levels. With a focus on strengthening health systems and promoting more cohesive approaches to health financing in MINS and Zanzibar, this bold shift towards systems strengthening will not only enhance ECD and adolescent programming convergence, it is also expected to provide unique insight to inform the development of the new Country Programme Document (CPD).

KEY FUNCTION, ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RELATED DUTIES/TASKS

• Support LGA engagement in national planning and budgeting processes, with a focus on health system strengthening and financing 
• Undertake detailed analysis of the situation of children, institutional constraints and budget implementation bottlenecks in selected LGAs (MINS) and Zanzibar across the broad spectrum of health systems (e.g. nutrition, WASH, HIV/AIDS). This effort should also include a comprehensive mapping of institutional and operational engagement in MINS and Zanzibar, i.e. who does what, where, when (4Ws)?
• Review LGA HSS data (PlanRep, FFARS, IFMIS, EPICOR, DCMIS, DHIS 2/HMIS and its derivatives, including NSMIS), including system data and district/health facility records, with a view to oversee the establishment of a regional budget monitoring and accountability unit, i.e. situation room in MINS and Zanzibar;
• In close collaboration with MoFP and PORALG, build local capacity to development and institutionalize budget monitoring mechanisms to enhance budget execution and the implementation of national programmes at local government level;
• In close collaboration with MoFP, PORALG, and relevant LGAs lead budget related analysis (e.g. budget briefs, expenditure reviews) and advocacy efforts in support of systems strengthening and improved health financing at region and districts level;
• Map the flow of government (block grants and RBF) and donor funds (on and off budget) from the national to the sub-national and facility level to identify provider payment mechanisms, related financial and activity reporting processes and related documentation of service delivery challenges to enhance service delivery;
• Review the procurement system and identify key areas of reform to ensure alignment with the principles of DFF;
• Engage with key counterparts at the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Ministry of Regional Administration and Local Government, Ministry of Health and other key MDAs and stakeholders to revise the planning and budgeting guidelines in order to introduce greater accountability measures to enhance primary health care delivery and financing, as well as flexibility in the utilization of DFF funds;
• Facilitate regular dialogue across government MDAs, and between MDAs and LGAs with a view to translate policy dialogue and upstream policy engagement into institutionalized mechanisms and processes to enhance service delivery at all levels;
• Oversee the organization of an annual social policy forum to review regional performance and provide a platform to enhance the effective delivery of programmes affecting children and other vulnerable groups;
• Review and document lessons learnt to inform the design of the CPD 2022-2027

Networking and partnership building

•  Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate program implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on education programs.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO program advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for health system strengthening/health financing programs.
• Participate in appropriate inter-agency meetings/events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on operational planning and preparation of health system strengthening/health financing programs/projects to integrate and harmonize UNICEF position and strategies with the national and subnational system strengthening development and planning process.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Contribute to identifying, capturing, synthesizing and sharing lessons learned for knowledge development and capacity development of stakeholders.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practice to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results
• Research and report on best and cutting-edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
• Participate as resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you are required to have the following:

• A Master’s Degree in Public Health, Economics, or relevant field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional work experience at national and international level in policy analysis and advocacy.
• Knowledge of public health and health financing; Excellent analytical, communication, advocacy and research skills;
• Computer literacy, especially MS Office programmes, is required;
• Proficiency in at least one of the UNICEF working languages: English, French or Spanish and fluent in the working language of the office (English); Knowledge of the Tanzania context and knowing Kiswahili is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

The competencies required for this post are builds and maintains partnerships, demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness, innovates and embraces change, drive to achieve results for impact, manages ambiguity and complexity, thinks and acts strategically, work collaboratively with others.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

The deadline for submitting the application is 31March 2021

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