Health Financing Consultant

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1.Purpose of the Consultancy
This consultancy will support the Health Governance and Finance Unit by conducting a regional situation analysis on health financing, establishing a Regional Health Financing Taskforce, and providing technical support to countries in advancing sustained and equitable health financing.
2.Background
Health financing in the Eastern Mediterranean Region remains one of the most pressing challenges for advancing Universal Health Coverage. Across the region, countries face diverse realities, yet share common obstacles. In many states, households continue to shoulder a disproportionate burden of health costs through out-of-pocket payments, often pushing families into financial hardship and limiting access to essential care. Financing systems are frequently fragmented, with government budgets, donor contributions, and private insurance operating in parallel but without strong coordination. This fragmentation undermines efficiency and weakens the ability to pool risks effectively.
Public spending on health is generally low compared to global benchmarks, leaving primary health care and preventive services underfunded. In fragile and conflict-affected settings, financing flows are disrupted, creating further inequities in access. Meanwhile, wealthier countries in the region often rely heavily on oil revenues, which makes their health systems vulnerable to economic fluctuations. Across the board, governance and stewardship remain critical gaps, with regulatory frameworks and accountability mechanisms not yet strong enough to ensure transparency and efficient use of resources.
Despite these challenges, there are clear pathways forward. Expanding fiscal space for health through improved taxation and budget prioritization can help increase public investment. Strengthening social health insurance and community-based schemes would reduce reliance on out-of-pocket spending and provide greater financial protection. Efficiency gains can be achieved through better procurement, performance-based financing, and reducing waste. Above all, stronger governance and stewardship by ministries of health are essential to align financing strategies with national priorities and to ensure accountability. Regional cooperation also offers promise, as countries can share best practices, pool resources for emergencies, and collectively advance toward Universal Health Coverage.
In short, health financing in the EMR is at a crossroads. The region’s diversity of economies and contexts means that solutions must be tailored, but the overarching goal is the same: to build resilient, equitable, and sustainable financing systems that protect populations from financial hardship and guarantee access to essential health services.

This consultancy aims to conduct a regional situation analysis on health financing, establishing a Regional Health Financing Taskforce, and providing technical support to countries in advancing health financing.

3. Work to be performed
Output 1 – Conduct a Health financing situation analysis in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR)
Deliverables:
1.Design of the situation analysis methodology: development of a structured approach, including analytical framework, data sources, and tools.
2.Conduct a scoping review: conducting a comprehensive literature review and key stakeholder interviews to capture current practices, challenges, and opportunities.
3.Prepare and produce a final situation analysis report: preparation of a consolidated report presenting findings, insights, and recommendations for strengthening health financing in the EMR.
Output 2 – Establishment of a Regional Health Financing Taskforce
Deliverables:
1.Draft Terms of Reference (TORs): outlining membership criteria, roles and responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms for the taskforce.
2.Convening the first taskforce meeting: convening nominated taskforce members to review and endorse the TORs, governance structure, and initial work plan.
3.Produce a consultation report: develop the consultation report on the discussed points and agreed upon follow up actions.
Output 3 – Provide Technical support to countries on Sustained and Equitable Health Financing
Deliverables:
1.Develop and deliver tailored country support plan: develop countries specific support plan based on results of situation analysis with a focus on RSOP and GPW14 objectives/deliverables.
2.Conduct a series of meetings for Capacity building: organization of country focused capacity building sessions designed to strengthen technical expertise for workforce in health financing reforms.
3.Support implementation report: documentation of technical assistance provided to countries, with a focus on progress related to GPW14 indicators.

4.Specific requirements
- Education required:
• Essential: Advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) for high end of range in public health and health financing.
- Experience required:
•5-10 years of relevant experience in the field of public health and health financing with international experience working with different counties.
•International experience is required for international consultants.
- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:
•Excellent experience in policy formulation and monitoring and evaluation
•Excellent experience in Situational analysis and scoping reviews
•Excellent experience in Stakeholder mapping and engagement
•Excellent experience in Report writing and presentation
- Language requirements:
Excellent knowledge of English. Arabic.
French knowledge will be an asset.
5.Place of assignment:
Cairo, Egypt (full time / on premises)
6.Medical clearance
The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

7.Travel
Duty travels as required and approved by the supervisor.
All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.

8. Remuneration and budget
Remuneration: Pay Band B

Additional Information:
· This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test may be used as a form of screening.
- If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
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- Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
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