Vietnam Health Financing Technical Lead

Abt Associates Inc.

USAID Sustainable Financing for HIV Activity

Vietnam Health Financing Technical Lead

Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Associates was ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms in 2012 and also named one of the top 40 international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in nearly 40 countries.

The 2-year USAID Sustainable Financing for HIV Activity provides technical assistance to the Government of Vietnam (GVN) from October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2020. It builds on existing support to the Government of Vietnam (GVN) since 2014 through the Health Finance and Governance (HFG) project. USAID Sustainable Financing for HIV Activity will provide technical assistance to GVN to complete the transition to a domestically-funded HIV program able to exceed the 9090-90 targets – 90% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) tested, 90% on anti-retroviral treatment (ART), and 90% virally suppressed – thereby achieving epidemic control. The project will provide specialized expertise to deliver targeted, innovative, evidence-based, and results-driven technical assistance designed to: 1) increase in-country capacity to self-finance and sustain HIV control efforts; and 2) strengthen government capacity on ARV supply planning, quantification, bidding, and procurement financing through the SHI fund.

Objective:

Abt Associates’ USAID Sustainable Financing for HIV Activity seeks to hire a Health Financing Technical Lead to be responsible for leading one technical component of the project: Technical support to implement ARV copayment subsidy in four provinces, with learning for scale-up.

The technical lead will provide support to all activities of the project, particularly as related to health financing and social health insurance in Vietnam. The Technical Lead will work closely with the Chief of Party to support implementation of project activities in order to achieve the project’s objectives. 

Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, lead, and coordinate all activities for the technical component.
• Work closely with Vietnam government counterparts, including the VAAC, and VSS at central level DOH and PSS at provincial level to provide technical input on health financing discussions. In particular, work closely with Provider Payment Management Unit –Department of Planning and Finance, Ministry of Health.
• Build the capacity of MOH and VSS and their relevant units in health financing, particularly to design a payment mechanism for HIV services that ensures sustainability for social health insurance and appropriate quality and financial incentives for service providers.
• Provide technical assistance as needed in areas such as revising provider contracts, revising reporting systems, defining monitoring indicators.
• Develop working relationships with donor agencies, implementing partners, and senior government officials.
• Coordinate the activities of international and local consultants working on health financing activities.
• Communicate with and update the COP on a regular basis with regards to progress on various health financing activities.
• Facilitate and implement workshops related to health financing, and coordinate meeting and workshop logistics with the project’s finance and administration staff as needed.

Skills/Knowledge Required:

• An advanced degree (minimum MA/MSc) in health economics, economics or equivalent, and at least 12-15 years of relevant work experience, particularly in health financing, subsidy models, and health insurance.
• Professional experience and skills in design and implementation of provider payments mechanisms in the context of health insurance.
• Knowledge of Social Health Insurance (SHI) issues and key stakeholders in Vietnam, including experience with MOH and VSS.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government counterparts and coordinate various actors such as different Ministry of Health units, other ministries and government agencies, donors and NGOs.
• Proven planning, networking, and organizational skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Vietnamese.

Note: This position is based in Hanoi, Vietnam.

To apply, please visit www.abtassociates.com.

Deadline: 31-October-2018

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.