International Consultant to support the Conduct of National Health Accounts (NHA) .
Organizational Context
South Sudan's health system faces significant financing challenges, including low public investment and high out-of-pocket expenditure. The country aims for Universal Health Coverage and sustainable health financing reforms. However, evidence on financial resource flow is limited. The Ministry of Health, with WHO support, will conduct a National Health Accounts exercise to track health spending and inform policy.
Job Purpose
The purpose of this role is to provide technical leadership and hands-on support to the Ministry of Health in South Sudan for conducting a comprehensive National Health Accounts (NHA) exercise. This involves guiding the entire process from stakeholder engagement and capacity building to data collection, analysis, report preparation, validation, and dissemination. The ultimate goal is to generate crucial evidence on health financing flows, expenditure patterns, and resource utilization to inform government budgeting, resource mobilization, donor coordination, strategic purchasing, and the implementation of health financing reforms and Universal Health Coverage goals. The consultant will ensure the NHA exercise is conducted systematically and contributes to strengthening the sustainability, efficiency, and equity of the health system.
Responsibilities
The consultant will conduct a desk review of the health financing landscape, develop a detailed work plan and roadmap for the NHA exercise, and establish a multi-stakeholder team. Responsibilities include mapping relevant stakeholders and institutions, organizing orientation and advocacy meetings, and building the capacity of the NHA Core Team. The role involves coordinating data collection from financing agents and providers, supporting data management, cleaning, coding, and analysis using SHA 2011 classifications. Additionally, the consultant will conduct consultative and validation meetings, facilitate the interpretation of findings, and prepare NHA outputs. A key duty is to develop an NHA institutionalization plan for routine production of health accounts within the Ministry of Health and finalize the NHA report and policy briefs for dissemination and decision-making.
Work Experience
Essential: Minimum of 7 years of experience in supporting health expenditure tracking using the SHA 2011 methodology, particularly in African countries or low/lower-middle-income contexts. Competence in using the Health Accounts Production Tool is required. A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in health systems strengthening, including health financing, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, is also essential. Experience in fragile and conflict-affected settings is considered an advantage.
Skills
Strong knowledge of the System of Health Accounts (SHA 2011 framework); Knowledge of the Health Accounts production tool; Knowledge of health financing analysis and expenditure tracking; Excellent capacity-building and facilitation skills; Excellent statistical and analytical skills; Excellent report writing skills; Fluency in written and spoken English; Ability to work effectively in a diverse team environment.