Health Financing Consultant, BIRCH

This role was posted on July 8, 2024. Please note that we will review applications on a rolling basis.

The Role

At Last Mile Health, we work to deploy a health worker within reach of everyone, everywhere. Do you have experience in health financing, quantitative analysis, or working with global health donors? If so, you may be our next Health Financing Consultant for the Building Integrated Readiness for Community Health (BIRCH) 2.0 project in Malawi.

As part of the technical assistance delivered under project BIRCH, the Health Financing Consultant must provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health Community Health Services Section (CHSS) to carry out the following:

• Collaborate with the Ministry of Health (CHSS & DPPD) to update and cost the National Community Health Framework 2023-2030.
• Prepare and facilitate stakeholder consultation meetings for developing a detailed costed operational plan for implementing the national community health strategy, covering CHW activities in Global Fund grants.
• Support MoH in disseminating the “HSSP III Community Health Priorities & Financing Needs 2023-2030” to relevant stakeholders, including implementing partners and civil society organizations.
• Assess the maturity of the Malawi Community Health System through CH stakeholder engagement meetings.
• Support the operationalization of Direct Financing Facility reforms to strengthen autonomy and quality of care for targeted districts.
• Prepare work plans, budgets, and other relevant documents for the implementation of the operational plan.
• Facilitate the Country Dialogue Process and disseminate information timely.
• Improve the quality of annual budget submissions and budget execution, and develop medium-term financial planning linked to national health plans.
• Contribute to broader analytical work in the sector, including other MoH analytical and advisory work in community health.
• Unlock community health financing beyond the Global Fund.
• Champion community health financing advocacy and coordinate the implementation of community health financing interventions.
• Provide other support as needed by the MoH (CHSS/DPPD) and Last Mile Health (LMH).

About the Building Integrated Readiness for Community Health (BIRCH) Project

The Global Fund has launched the Building Integrated Readiness for Community Health (BIRCH) project, aimed at providing technical assistance and strengthening community health programming in eleven countries, including Malawi. Last Mile Health manages this funding and provides technical assistance to advance community health priorities.

This position is open to candidates located in Malawi and candidates must have authorization to work in Malawi.

Consultancy Details

• Project Duration: 4-6 months
• Estimated Fees Amount: $3000 - $4000/ month
• Location: Lilongwe, Malawi

Scope of Work 

The consultant will be expected to undertake and be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Updated and Costed NCHF

• Develop a comprehensive report and a PowerPoint presentation with 10-12 slides.
• Work in consultation with the Ministry of Health (CHSS) and other Community Health stakeholders.
• Submit and present the updated framework to LMH and the Ministry of Health (CHSS) as well as the CH Technical Working Group (TWG).
• Provide all relevant documents and requirements for the process to LMH/MoH.
• Submit any meeting/workshop minutes contributing to the finalization of this deliverable.

1. Annual Community Health Systems Maturity Assessment

• Conduct a Community Health Technical Working Group meeting to brief stakeholders on the previous assessment report and plans for the upcoming assessment.
• Facilitate the TWG meeting and the annual assessment exercise, ensuring the involvement of relevant CH stakeholders.
• Deliverables from this intervention will include:
  • A PowerPoint presentation of the 2023 Maturity assessment outcomes.
  • The Annual Maturity Assessment Report (2024).
  • TWG meeting minutes.

1. Costed Operational Plan

• Develop a comprehensive report and a PowerPoint presentation with 10-12 slides.
• Work in consultation with the Ministry of Health (CHSS) and other community health GC7 recipients under community systems strengthening.
• Submit and present the operational plan to LMH, the Ministry of Health (CHSS), and the Global Fund Program Implementation Unit (PIU).
• Provide all relevant documents and requirements for the process to LMH/MoH.
• Submit any meeting/workshop minutes contributing to the finalization of this deliverable.

1. Refinement of the National Community Health Framework Financing Advocacy Tool

• Refine and update the advocacy tool as needed.

1. Community Health Annual Investments Mapping Report

• Develop a document to assist the Ministry of Health (CHSS) in stipulating the allocation of overall health financing to the community sector.

Implementation Arrangements and Coordination

The consultant will work under the oversight of the LMH Malawi Senior Technical Coordinator - HSS. They will coordinate with the Ministry of Health’s Community Health Services Section (CHSS) and Directorate of Planning and Policy Development (DPPD). The consultant will be seated within the DPPD office of the Ministry of Health for four days a week (Tuesday to Friday) and one day (Monday) at LMH offices.

Required Qualifications

• Several years of professional experience in applied health financing, including quantitative analysis and support services to governments and funders.
• Knowledge of national and county-level government financing policies, procedures, and systems in resource-limited settings.
• Experience working with major global health donors such as USAID, Global Fund, World Bank, and GAVI.
• Strong analytical, conceptual, and communication skills with a passion for community health.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience implementing community health programs in Malawi.
• Experience in design, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects.
• Experience in community health advocacy.

About Last Mile Health

Last Mile Health (LMH) saves lives in the world's most remote communities by partnering with governments to bring critical primary care services to the doorsteps of people living in the last mile. LMH is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and currently works in Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Sierra Leone with US offices in Boston. For more information, visitwww.lastmilehealth.org. We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity at LMH. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.