Context :
The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), while strengthening the capabilities of governments and the private sector in those countries to create and sustain high-quality health systems that can succeed without our assistance. For more information, please visit: http://www.clintonhealthaccess.org.
This position will be part of the global Laboratory Services Team (LST) which plays a lead role at CHAI in helping to increase access to high quality, reliable and affordable diagnostic services across LMICs. This includes work that improves the overall laboratory system and ensures the timely and scaled rollout of the most appropriate screening, diagnostics and monitoring technologies.
CHAI is currently working with Ministries of Health to explore the potential for public private partnerships (PPP) to strengthen their laboratory systems and create long-term improvements in healthcare delivery under a grant funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). CHAI is working with Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia to assess, design, negotiate and implement a public private partnership between partner governments and their respective private partners in order to realize this target impact. CHAI is pursuing an additional funding source to support similar PPP work from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for four new countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
CHAI is seeking a highly experienced team leader to lead technical assistance work under this EIB grant. This health systems expert will play a key advisory and quality assurance role for all technical assistance activities in four Sub-Saharan African countries, of which at least three will be in Francophone Africa. The exact countries have not yet been determined.
This person will guide CHAI country teams to deliver rigorous and evidence-based guidance throughout the process. They will ensure that the PPPs are designed in such a way as to maximize positive impacts and avoid any unintended consequences. They will use their expertise on health systems to look at the macro level impact introducing major private sector players could have on the laboratories sector as well as on wider health service provision. They will play a lead role in negotiating with Ministries of Health and Finance, defining the scope of public private partnerships and supporting country governments to procure private providers to meet the needs of their laboratory systems.
This position offers the opportunity to shape a new and expanding area of CHAI’s work. This project has the potential to have a transformative impact on the quality of diagnostic systems available in African countries and is a major priority for CHAI senior leadership. We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual with strong leadership skills, deep technical expertise in resource-limited health systems, and firm commitment to contributing towards CHAI and LST’s strategic goals.
The candidate must be able to work independently and flexibly, prioritize across multiple workstreams, manage teams and provide senior leadership. The team leader will report to the Laboratory Services Team Senior Director with a dotted line to the Laboratory Services Team Associate Director.
All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Applicants should note that CHAI is in the process of competing for this grant opportunity (further information here: https://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:331452-2020:TEXT:EN:HTML&tabId=1
This position will only be hired in the event of a successful application from CHAI. Applicants should note that they must commit their exclusivity to the CHAI bid for this grant; they are not permitted to appear on multiple organizations’ bids as key experts.
This role is US based however there may be flexibility to be based in a CHAI program country, pending country leadership approval.
Responsibilities :
- Provide health system expertise to CHAI country offices as they establish PPPs in selected Sub-Saharan African countries ;
- Direct CHAI staff on country and global teams on rigorous quality methods and diverse approaches and to drive the development of high-quality evidence to inform policy and PPP design ;
- Act as a thought leader across CHAI on PPPs in the health sector, providing expertise to other teams at crucial decision points in projects ;
- Lead presentations and discussions with country governments (Ministries of Health and Finance) as well as with donor partners (EIB and BMGF) ;
- Facilitate and advise on negotiations and engagement with private sector bidders, on behalf of country governments to ensure value for money is achieved from the PPPs ;
- Drive evaluation of each country’s health system and analyze how PPP can improve quality of laboratory services, whilst increasing access particularly among more marginalized groups ;
- Design options for PPPs that deliver on national goals but are also affordable, and viable as business propositions for private sector providers ;
- Lead initial investment proposal for each country and play a key advisory role in each country’s in-depth feasibility study ;
- Advise country governments and CHAI country offices on potential procurement and legal pitfalls, support the design of a procurement and contracting process and workflow which maximizes the chance of receiving competitive bids and selecting a competent provider ;
- Any other responsibilities as requested by supervisor.
Experience / Training :
- Master’s degree or equivalent in health economics, health systems, or health policy ;
- Fluency in written and spoken English ;
- Working level knowledge of French ;
- At least 15 years of relevant experience in health systems, preferably Sub-Saharan Africa ;
- Experience in francophone Sub-Saharan African countries a significant advantage ;
- 5 years professional experience in preparation and implementation of investment projects including procurement and consideration of legal framework ;
- Evidence of the following from at least 3 projects :
- Specific knowledge of Sub-Saharan African healthcare markets and public sector work practices and culture ;
- Demonstrated direct negotiation experience with Sub-Saharan African ministries of Finance and Health ;
- Experience in building and executing financial and partnership structures ;
- Experience in health investment projects preparation and implementation requirements, including adherence to relevant guidelines and legislation such as procurement, environmental and social policies.
- Exceptional diplomatic and interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships ;
- Demonstrated expertise and thought leadership in health systems ;
- Ability to think strategically, handle ambiguity and work in a fast paced, limited-structure, multicultural environment ;
- Ability to handle multiple work streams simultaneously, work independently and proactively manage the implementation of complex projects ;
- Highly entrepreneurial with strong self-motivation ;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and deliver compelling presentations ;
- Willingness to travel up to 50% time for meetings with in-country and global stakeholders, COVID restrictions permitting.
How to apply :
Apply through this link : Apply here