National Consultant - Health Care Financing
Organizational Context
The World Health Organization (WHO) in the Philippines supports the nation's Universal Health Care (UHC) agenda. This role operates within the WHO Country Office, contributing to the implementation of the Health Care Financing Strategy 2023-2028. The strategy aims to reduce out-of-pocket spending and enhance financial protection for households, aligning with national UHC goals.
Job Purpose
This consultancy aims to provide expert technical assistance to the Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth to accelerate health financing reforms and achieve national Universal Health Care (UHC) targets. The role will focus on strengthening financial protection, reducing out-of-pocket expenditures, promoting data-driven health financing policies, and supporting the sustainable domestic financing of priority health programs. Key activities include enhancing PhilHealth coverage and strategic purchasing arrangements to improve the efficiency, equity, and sustainability of the health financing system, ultimately supporting the long-term financing of critical health initiatives.
Responsibilities
Provide technical assistance to PhilHealth for implementing the DOH-PhilHealth Unified National Agenda (UNA), including analysis and policy briefs on benefit package optimization and performance-based payment metrics. Analyze network contracting implementation at the local government unit (LGU) level and support the development of PhilHealth policies for network contracting and expansion. Develop policy briefs on streamlining licensing and accreditation processes for primary care facilities. Develop an M&E framework for Special Health Fund operationalization, monitoring, and evaluation, producing policy briefs and analytical documents. Evaluate financial protection policies and mechanisms, providing technical assistance for monitoring financial hardship indicators and capacity building. Document the implementation of the UHC Fund for Zero Balance Billing in LGU Hospitals, analyzing program implementation, fund utilization, patient coverage, challenges, and lessons learned. Produce technical briefs, analytical products, and WHO position papers on priority health financing topics.
Work Experience
Essential: Minimum of five years of relevant experience in health financing policy development, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, or analytics at national or subnational levels. Desirable: Experience with government health agencies (DOH, PhilHealth), UN organizations, or international development partners; experience in financial protection, strategic purchasing, or social health insurance.
Skills
Strong technical expertise in health financing, financial protection, policy, and reforms. Proficient in data collection, management, analysis, interpretation, and presentation. Knowledge of health systems strengthening and UHC reforms in the Philippines. Excellent written and oral communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills. Ability to develop policy briefs and technical reports. Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Expert knowledge of English and Filipino.