National Health Spending Efficiency Analysis Consultant (nationals-only) Malawi, Lilongwe (remote) 4 months (594926)

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of every child's rights as a calling. UNICEF fosters diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.

Job Purpose

The consultant will conduct a comprehensive analysis of health financing and expenditure trends in Malawi over the last five fiscal years, assessing adequacy, efficiency, equity, and sustainability at national and district levels. This involves analyzing financing flows, budget execution, and the impact of fiscal constraints and decentralization reforms. The consultant will also evaluate district-level planning, budgeting, public financial management, and identify bottlenecks affecting budget absorption and service delivery. The role requires developing or refining tools for expenditure analysis and financial monitoring, and conducting programme-specific expenditure and efficiency assessments across key health areas like Primary Health Care, SRMNCAH, HIV, immunization, and essential medicines. The ultimate goal is to generate evidence and provide policy support for improved health financing and expenditure management.

Responsibilities

The consultant will develop an inception report detailing methodology, analytical framework, workplan, stakeholder engagement, and data requirements. They will also develop or refine tools for expenditure analysis, budget tracking, cash flow forecasting, procurement monitoring, and financial performance assessment, strengthening district-level financial monitoring tools. A comprehensive analysis of health financing and expenditure trends over the last five fiscal years will be conducted, assessing financing adequacy, expenditure patterns, budget execution, efficiency, equity, and sustainability. This includes analyzing financing flows, resource allocation, and the implications of fiscal constraints and decentralization. The consultant will assess district planning, budgeting, budget credibility, execution performance, procurement, cash flow management, and financial reporting systems, identifying bottlenecks affecting budget absorption and service delivery. Programme-specific expenditure and efficiency assessments will be conducted across priority areas such as Primary Health Care, SRMNCAH, HIV, immunization, and essential medicines. Stakeholder consultations, validation workshops, and dissemination meetings will be organized. Finally, the consultant will identify systemic bottlenecks and opportunities to improve expenditure efficiency, sustainability, and accountability, developing evidence-based recommendations and policy products like district briefs and policy notes to inform health financing reforms.

Work Experience

A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience.

Skills

Health Economics Analysis, Public Financial Management, Expenditure Analysis, Budget Analysis, Financial Monitoring, Stakeholder Consultation, Policy Analysis, Data Analysis, Report Writing, Project Management, Health Systems Strengthening, UNICEF Procedures

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