Policy Advisor

Job Description

About Seed Global Health

Seed Global Health (Seed) envisions a world in which every country is strengthened by a robust health workforce that can meet the health needs of its population. We partner to train nurses, midwives, and physicians, building health teams that can provide high-quality care and save lives. We do this by strengthening clinical care delivery, improving health workforce education, and supporting policies that enable health professionals to succeed. Seed is dedicated to creating lasting change in the health systems of our partner countries: Malawi, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia. To ensure these changes are durable, we form deep local partnerships that inform our work at the individual and systems levels. Together, we are creating a multi-generational impact to not only treat today’s problems but solve for tomorrow’s.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for supporting policy research, development, implementation, and evaluation of policies and strategies to address health challenges and barriers to achieving equitable access to high-quality health services and sustainable improvement in health outcomes. The Policy Advisor works with Seed partners including the government, private not-for-profit organizations, private for-profit entities, and development partners to help create effective evidence-based policies that meet the national and organizational goals, solve challenges, and advance transformation of the health sector to achieve national goals and global commitments. The responsibility involves collaborating with stakeholders, conducting analysis, and forecasting resource requirements, and ensuring alignment of policies and strategies with legal frameworks and health needs.

The Policy Advisor is essential to help shape the development and strengthening of health systems, that are resilient and address evolving health needs, helping Seed, government, and other partners better respond to current and future health challenges.

For more information, please visit www.seedglobalhealth.org

Duties and Responsibilities

Research and analysis

Analysis of routine health system and health data, case studies, and stakeholder feedback to understand health system challenges and context

Review and evaluate the effectiveness of existing HRH related policies, regulations, and guidelines and identify areas for improvement

Carry out HRH analysis to determine health care worker numbers, costs, distribution, projected requirements, and related policy issues

Conduct targeted research on HRH and climate change’s impact on health to support evidence-based decision-making

Review and evaluate the climate and health systems related policies, regulations, and guidelines and help to identify areas for improvement and appropriate intersection with Seed’s work

Lead the development of key policy position papers and scientific publication on relevant policy issues in the country

Policy Development

Collaborate with MOH and other stakeholders to draft policy proposals, reports, and strategy documents to address identified issues in HRH, health system strengthening, and/or climate change and health in country context

Collaborate with government counterparts, partners, experts, stakeholders, and communities to develop realistic and implementable policy solutions

Help ensure policies are aligned with relevant regulations, national realities, and priorities

Stakeholder Engagement

Attend government technical working group (TWG) and other policy level engagement meetings on behalf of Seed Global Health

Work with government, HRH leaders, private sector representatives and PNFP to gather input and build consensus on HRH and other health system needs for urgent action

Convene and participate in relevant forums for dialogue and public engagement to understand diverse health workforce perspectives and needs

Support country efforts and priorities in climate and health investments, evaluation, and advocacy with specific attention to adaptation and resilience, health system strengthening and workforce

Communicate policy goals, potential impacts, and benefits to foster support and understanding

Recruitment services

Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation

Collaborate with MOH and stakeholders to track implementation and effectiveness of policies over time, using key performance indicators

Identify the need for and support adjustment of policies based on evaluation results, current information, or changing circumstances to ensure ongoing relevance

Translate policies into implementable plans for Seed and partners, and monitor implementation

Report on policy impacts and progress to stakeholders, and support updating of strategies as necessary

Communication and advocacy

Conduct stakeholder mapping and engagement for health workforce support

Present research findings, policy proposals, and recommendations to government officials, boards, or other decision-makers

Building HRH investment case based on analysis and evidence synthesis to be presented to the government, development partners, and Seed Global Health

Work with the communications and advocacy team to disseminate research findings and produce advocacy materials for Seed audiences

Advocate for policy adoption by highlighting benefits and actions to achieve a well-performing health workforce and/or critical investments in climate and health

Qualifications, Experience, and CompetenciesRecruitment services

Master’s degree in health planning, policy, and management; or Public Health or Business Administration or in other relevant fields

10+ years of Experience working with the government, five of which should be at senior management/policy level

Demonstrable experience in working with diverse partners and stakeholders including government, private-for-profit sector, private-not-for-profit sector, Civil Society, and development partners

Demonstrable skills and experience in project management

Demonstrable experience in research design, execution, data analysis, documentation, and dissemination of findings to diverse audiences

Analytical and research skills

Writing and documentation skills

Critical thinking skills to be able to assess complex problems and develop comprehensive policy options and strategies

Communication skills to be able to present ideas clearly to diverse audiences

Adaptability and resilience to be able to navigate evolving HRH challenges and shifting priorities

A deep understanding of health systems, challenges, and opportunities in respective countries

Understanding of the Climate change and Health space

Working Conditions

Position is based in: Zambia

Full-time position – required to work at least 40 hours a week

Fast-paced environment with tight deadlines

Collaborative team setting

50% of local travel is required

Must be able to travel internationally as needed

Will be required to sit/stand for up to eight hours per day

Compensation

Competitive base salary commensurate with experience, as well as health/dental/eye insurance, retirement and vacation, sick time, birthday day off, annual pay increase, and professional development benefits.

Seed is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type, including without limitation on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, and local law.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.