National Consultant - Health Care Financing, Philippines

Purpose of consultancy In line with the priorities of the Health Care Financing Strategy and the joint vision and action plan of the Department of Health (DOH) and Phil. Health, WHO has been requested to provide technical support to accelerate health financing reforms and support the achievement of national UHC targets.

Particular emphasis is being placed on strengthening financial protection mechanisms, reducing OOP expenditures, promoting data-informed health financing policies and decision-making, and supporting the transition from Global Fund financing through a clear pathway toward sustainable domestic financing of priority disease programmes, including through strengthened Phil.

Health coverage and strategic purchasing arrangements. These efforts are intended to enhance the efficiency, equity, and sustainability of the health financing system while supporting the long-term financing of HIV, tuberculosis, and other priority health programmes. To support these efforts, WHO seeks the services of a national health financing expert who will provide technical assistance in policy analysis, health financing analytics, stakeholder engagement, evidence generation, and the development and implementation of priority health financing initiatives in collaboration with DOH, Phil.

Health, and other key partners. Background The Philippines has made significant progress in advancing Universal Health Care (UHC) through the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act and the adoption of the Health Care Financing Strategy of the Philippines 2023–2028: Towards Universal Health Care. As the country's medium-term financing roadmap, the Strategy aims to reduce out-of-pocket (OOP) spending and strengthen financial protection through four strategic objectives: increasing public funding for health; strengthening financing of primary care; ensuring equitable financing for health services and affordable medicines; and promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in health.

Despite these reforms, OOP spending continues to account for a substantial share of health expenditure, exposing many households to financial hardship and creating barriers to accessing needed health services. Sustained policy and implementation efforts are therefore required to accelerate progress toward national UHC goals and achieve the Strategy's targets for improved financial protection.

Deliverables Output 1: Technical assistance for Phil. Health for the implementation of the DOH-Phil. Health Unified National Agenda (UNA) Deliverable 1.1: Analysis and policy briefs on the Phil. Health benefit package optimization and performance-based payment metrics for the YAKAP package Deliverable 1.2: Analaysis of the network contracting implementation at local government unit (LGU) level and documents to support the development of Phil.

Health’s policies and guidelines for the network contracting and expansion of it including M&E Deliverable 1.3: Policy briefs on options to streamline licensing and accreditation processes using risk-based approaches, particularly for primary care facilities, based on analysis of the current regulatory standards and gaps; review of existing guidelines and other Member States’ practices; and consultations with key stakeholders Output 2: M&E framework for Special Health Fund operationalization, monitoring and evaluation Deliverable 2.

1: Policy briefs and technical documents on M&E framework for Special Health Fund implementation Deliverable 2.2: Other analytical products to support data-informed policy development on Special Health Fund implementation Output 3: Evaluation of financial protection policies and mechanisms Deliverable 3.1: Technical assistance for monitoring of financial hardship and financial protection indicators by DOH, Phil.

Health, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA); and capacity building for DOH and PSA on monitoring financial hardship using the revised SDG 3.8.2 methodology in coordination with WHO Regional Office and WHO Headquarters Deliverable 3.2: Documentation of the implementation of the DOH Universal Health Care (UHC) Fund for Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) in LGU Hospitals, including analysis of program implementation, fund utilization, patient coverage, challenges, and lessons learned to inform policy, budgeting, and legislative directions Output 4: Other technical assignments Deliverable 4.

1: Technical briefs, analytical products, WHO position papers, presentations, and other internal and external documents on priority health financing topics, including health taxes and health financing reforms Qualifications, experience, skills and languages Educational Qualifications: Essential: University degree in health financing, health economics, health policy, health systems, economics or other relevant health-related disciplines Desirable: Post-graduate degree in health financing, health economics or a related field Experience Essential: At least five years of relevant experience in health financing policy development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, or health financing analytics at the national level or subnational level Desirable: Work experience with government agencies, particularly the Department of Health, Phil.

Health, or other health sector institutions; or work experience with the United Nations, international development agencies, or development partners. Experience in financial protection, strategic purchasing, or social health insurance Skills/Knowledge: Strong technical expertise in health financing, including financial protection, health financing policy, and health financing reforms.

Strong analytical and technical writing skills, including data collection, management, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of findings. Good knowledge of health systems strengthening, health service delivery, and Universal Health Care reforms in the Philippines. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation and stakeholder engagement skills.

Ability to develop policy briefs, technical reports, presentations, and other knowledge products for technical and non-technical audiences. Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies, development partners, and civil society organizations.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Languages and level required: Essential: Expert knowledge of English and Filipino. Location On site: Phil. Health and World Health Organization, Country Office Philippines Ground Floor, Building 3, Department of Health San Lazaro Compound Rizal Avenue, Sta Cruz, Manila Travel The contract includes travel to various regions of the Philippines.

Domestic travel to the regions, LGUs, CHDs, and partner-operated sites is anticipated. Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded): a. Remuneration: Band Level A, Php 250,000 (monthly) b. Expected duration of contract: 11 months, October 2026 to September 2027 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. For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int . The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States ( https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion ) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process.

Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter ( https://www.

who.int/about/who-we-are/ourvalues ) into practice. WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct.

To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates. WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.

WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.

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