Health Specialist - Health Economics and Financing

About

UNICEF seeks a P-4 Health Specialist in Health Economics and Financing for its Nairobi Centre of Excellence within the Global Programme Division Health Section. The role provides technical assistance to Country Offices, governments and partners on evidence-informed planning, sustainable health financing and equity-focused reforms, including health and immunization strategies. Candidates need an advanced relevant degree, at least eight years of relevant international health and development experience, English and French proficiency, and specified technical skills. Job grade: P-4. Terms of service: Fixed Term Appointment. Reference: 00133446. Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya CoE.

How to apply

Apply online through the official UNICEF Careers advert page.

Responsibilities

• Technical Advisory on Strategic Planning, Policy Formulation & Review.
• Evidence Generation & Economic Analysis.
• Domestic Resource Mobilization & Government-Led Financing.
• Technical Advisory Support on Capacity Building.
• Cross-Sectoral Coordination & Integration.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in health economics, health financing, public health, or health policy with a focus on health economics/financing, or in economics/finance with emphasis on Health Systems Strengthening is required.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in international health and development with a strong focus on health economics, policy, and financing in low- and middle-income countries is required.
• Demonstrated experience applying economic theory and/or health financing models in real-world health systems or service-delivery settings, such as primary healthcare, government health systems, or similar contexts, with the ability to translate economic and financing analysis into practical and cont
• Advanced technical proficiency in Economic evaluation methods (CEA, CBA, ROI), budget impact and financial forecasting models, health systems and financing diagnostics (e.g., PFM assessments, transition readiness).
• Use of health economic modelling tools such as UNIVAC, OneHealth Tool, LiST, Spectrum, Optima Health, and/or advanced Excel and R-based modeling.
• Strong quantitative analysis skills, including use of statistical software (e.g., R, Stata, Excel VBA); ability to manage large datasets and develop economic models.
• Excellent policy translation and writing skills, with a track record of producing decision-useful outputs such as briefs, investment cases, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Deep understanding of global health financing architecture, including mechanisms like Gavi support, GFF, and Multilateral Development Banks is required.
• Proficiency in English and French is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.
• Specialized training in areas such as Medicine (MD/MBBS), economic evaluation, and fiscal policy (PhD) will be considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in leading or contributing to cost-effectiveness analyses, budget impact analyses, investment cases, and fiscal space analyses for immunization and broader health interventions (such as MNCH, SRH, HIV/AIDs, Nutrition, etc.).
• Proven record of supporting or analyzing policy reform processes related to health/immunization financing, or health systems strengthening in low- and middle-income country contexts.
• Experience working with or advising ministries of health and finance in several low- and middle-income countries.
• Hands-on experience applying tools such as UNIVAC, LiST, One Health Tool, Spectrum, and budget modeling frameworks.