Individual National Consultant for Systematic Reviews and Impact Assessment of Health Insurance Coverage of Acute Malnutrition Treatment for Children Under-Five
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 offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.
Job Purpose
The national consultant will support UNICEF Viet Nam in generating crucial economic evidence to inform the assessment and refinement of the national health insurance policy. This assignment is vital for understanding the financial implications of covering acute malnutrition treatment for children under five. The consultant will synthesize existing cost-effectiveness evidence for this intervention, assess its budget impact on the Viet Nam Health Insurance Fund, and analyze the financial consequences of the proposed roadmap for increasing health insurance contribution rates. The ultimate goal is to provide robust data that supports policy impact assessment and the finalization of health insurance policy options, ensuring a strategic investment in Viet Nam's future workforce and economic development by addressing the high costs of untreated severe acute malnutrition.
Responsibilities
The consultant will conduct a systematic review focusing on the cost-effectiveness of acute malnutrition treatment for children under five, with specific attention to evidence relevant to Vietnam and similar settings. This includes clearly defining the treatment package, eligible children, service delivery settings, treatment components, commodities, follow-up requirements, and relevant health insurance reimbursement arrangements. A budget impact model will be developed from the perspective of the Viet Nam Health Insurance Fund to estimate the financial impact of health insurance reimbursement for each nutrition intervention. Furthermore, the consultant will conduct a budget impact analysis of the proposed health insurance contribution-rate roadmap for five distinct groups, detailing the distribution of additional contributions across employers, employees/participants, the social insurance agency, and the State budget, as applicable. The general objective is to provide evidence on cost-effectiveness and budget impact to support policy impact assessment and completion of health insurance policy options.
Work Experience
At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in health economics, health financing, impact assessment, or systematic reviews. Experience with budget impact modeling and analysis is essential. Previous work with UNICEF or other UN agencies is desirable.
Skills
Systematic review methodology, Cost-effectiveness analysis, Budget impact modeling, Health financing policy, Economic evaluation, Data analysis, Report writing, UNICEF policies and procedures, Child health and nutrition, Vietnamese health system