Program Analyst - Health financing, Kenya

The program Analyst provides technical assistance and, analytical support to the strategic purchasing for primary health care project in one or more target counties.

This is a full - time role that requires exceptional analytical and quantitative skills, the ability to effectively synthesize and visualize findings (typically in health economics and financing), translate messages for various audiences, and provide coordination support.

ThinkWell Kenya provides technical support to strengthen the health financing function at national and county level, with a focus on strategic purchasing for primary healthcare.

 The Program Analyst will provide technical support to the county departments of health (in Isiolo and Kitui Counties), working closely with other stakeholders in the health sector, to accelerate achievement of universal health coverage (UHC) in Kenya.  

This position is based in either Isiolo or Kitui (as the successful candidate prefers)

responsibilities

Technical support

In consultation with the Supervisor:

• Strengthen the capacity of County departments of health (CDoHs) on health care financing, particularly on primary health care financing, supplies financing and UHC implementation.
• Support the CDoHs to optimize Own Source Revenue (OSR) and other funding sources to increase fiscal space to purchase PHC services (particularly under the Kenya Quality Ecosystem Project).
• Provide technical support to the CDoHs to apply strategic purchasing principles to incentivize providers to improve the quality of care, with a focus on PHC services.
• Support the CDoHs to develop and implement data driven innovations on health financing, that can improve the supply chain, and productivity of human resources for health.  
• Strengthen working relationships across different purchasers (The Social Health Authority – SHA (now NHIF), Private Health Insurance, MoH and the county to achieve coherence within different purchasing arrangements.

·        Support the CDoHs to implement the newly enacted health financing laws – to accelerate the participation of public facilities in the Social Health Authority funds (PHC and SHI funds)

·        Provide technical support to the CDoHs to strengthen implementation of UHC and health care financing reforms.

·        Support the development of county health plans and budgets in accordance with the PFM act (2012)

·        Develop partnerships and networks within counties to strengthen health systems.

• Represent ThinkWell in meetings with external partners, County Government, and other stakeholders.

Data Analytics and reporting

• Develop high quality reports, briefs, presentations, and other documents in timely manner as expected.
• Support data collection, collation and analysis on health financing and purchasing in counties to inform the reforms needed to strengthen PHC and UHC.
• Collect, collate, and analyze routine data on PHC, supplies financing, UHC and other areas of focus on selected indicators to inform development of appropriate health financing interventions.
• Support county-level monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting activities on health financing and strategic purchasing.
• Document and disseminate learning products on health financing and strategic purchasing to different stakeholders to inform policy. Use the learnings and emerging evidence to co-create, with CHMTs, sustainable health financing solutions.

Requirements

1.    BA/BS and 7+ years experience or graduate degree and 5+ years experience.

2.    Substantive experience in relevant health systems work with a development agency, NGO, or county government; experience in health financing in the public sector is required.

3.    Demonstrated experience providing technical advice to counties in strategic and operational planning, data analytics, especially on health financing, HRH and supply chain optimization.;

4.    Prior work experience on primary healthcare financing, supply chain strengthening, Human Resources for Health, PFM within the context of county health systems is highly desirable;

5.    Proficiency in MS Excel, Office, PowerPoint is required. Proficiency in  other MS Office suite is desirable;

6.    Experience in data analytics software e.g., Stata, EpiInfo, SPSS is desirable;

7.    Tech savvy and skilled at visual display of data;

8.    Fluency in English and Kiswahili;

9.    Exceptional analytical, research and problem-solving capabilities;

10. Strong writer with an established track record of preparing high-quality technical reports, policy briefing materials, and presentations;

11.  A thoughtful systems thinker with grounded, pragmatic understanding of the complexities of our work;

12.     Demonstrated poise and professionalism in engaging with external partners, in and outside government.

33.     Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to relate respectfully with staff at all levels, age, gender, nationalities, and orientation as well as across work areas.

14.     Ability and willingness to travel 30% of time.