Mulitple Roles, Programme for Health (P4H) in Malawi

Multiple Opportunities: Developing a New Provider Payment Mechanism for Service Level Agreements in Malawi

DAI's Technical Support Programme for Health (P4H) is actively seeking professionals to join a critical initiative focused on the Design of a New Provider Payment Mechanism for Service Level Agreements (SLA) in Malawi.

The core objective of this assignment is to craft a practical, evidence-based SLA Provider Payment Mechanism (PPM) that will enhance equitable access to essential health services for women, newborns, and children throughout Malawi. This project will involve generating cost-effectiveness estimates (including per-service and per-capita figures for MNCH), evaluating the existing SLA model to boost efficiency and fairness, and assessing alternative payment structures to propose a blended PPM, with a particular focus on rural and underserved regions. Additionally, it will project fiscal impacts (including Budget Impact Analysis), and establish a governance framework and implementation plan, covering rate setting, performance verification, and conflict resolution.

Location: Malawi (Lilongwe), with intermittent short-term fieldwork in designated areas outside Lilongwe.

Assignment Duration: The project is anticipated to span approximately 5-7 months, commencing in early July 2026. The length of engagement will vary for each specific role.

We are recruiting for three distinct consulting positions. Candidates are welcome to apply for multiple roles if they meet the requisite qualifications. Kindly specify the role(s) you are applying for in your cover letter (maximum 1 page), and clearly state your current city and country of residence for the assignment period.

All team members are expected to demonstrate:

• Exceptional interpersonal and diplomatic skills, with a proven capacity for effective engagement with senior government officials and a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Proficiency in relationship building and facilitation, including the ability to manage sensitive policy discussions.
• A solid understanding of the political economy and reform processes in low-income countries, with the skill to navigate institutional challenges while upholding government ownership.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication abilities, capable of producing clear, policy-oriented documents in accessible language for decision-makers.

Team Leader (Health Economist/PFM Specialist) - Near Full-Time Engagement

The Team Leader will spearhead the design and execution of a comprehensive blended Provider Payment Mechanism. Key responsibilities include guiding technical workstreams, fostering collaborative design with stakeholders, navigating the local political landscape, and overseeing a compact multidisciplinary team, in partnership with CHAI, who are providing dedicated long-term support to the Ministry.

This role will involve collaborating with the team to conduct and interpret analyses such as provider payment modelling, health service costing, Excel-based fiscal simulations, budget impact analysis, strategic purchasing analytics, financial flow assessments, and Public Financial Management (PFM) compatibility evaluations.

• Advanced degree in Health Economics, Public Health, Health Policy, Economics, Health Economics, Public Finance, or a closely related discipline.
• A minimum of 12-15 years of experience in health systems strengthening and policy advisory, ideally within sub-Saharan Africa, complemented by 8-10 years of experience in health economics, costing, and provider payment mechanisms.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex assignments involving multiple stakeholders, including government entities and development partners.
• Proven capability in team management, delivering high-quality project outputs, and facilitating policy dialogue.
• A strong grasp of health financing principles and strategic purchasing practices.
• Expertise in budget impact analysis, financial modelling, and Value for Money (VfM) analysis.
• Experience with public financial management systems, encompassing budgeting, fund flow management, and expenditure tracking.
• Advanced proficiency in quantitative analysis and Excel modelling.

Health Economist - PFM & Governance Expert - Part-Time Engagement (Estimated 50-70% LoE)

This expert will collaborate closely with the Team Leader on stakeholder engagement, facilitating co-design processes, and navigating the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP)/Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) political dynamics to ensure practical implementability. Working within a small, multidisciplinary team, they will contribute health economics and governance expertise, focusing on designing governance structures and conducting in-depth analyses, including provider payment modelling, health costing, financial flow tracking, and Excel-based fiscal simulations.

• Advanced degree in Public Administration, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in institutional analysis, governance frameworks, and accountability systems.
• Experience in analyzing health sector public financial management systems, including budget execution, reimbursement mechanisms, Integrated Financial Management Information Systems (IFMIS), and fund flow bottlenecks.
• Experience designing contracting, verification, audit, and dispute resolution mechanisms within the public sector.
• Familiarity with health sector governance structures and experience working with non-state healthcare providers.
• Strong analytical and facilitation skills.

Service Delivery / MNCH Expert - Short-Term Engagement (Estimated 15-20 days)

The Service Delivery / MNCH Expert will provide specialized technical input into the design, organization, and quality assurance of maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) services. They will function as a key member of a multidisciplinary team, bringing together expertise in health financing, public financial management (PFM), institutional governance, and Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCAH) service delivery.

• Advanced degree in Public Health, Medicine, Nursing, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 8-10 years of experience in RMNCAH service delivery within low-resource settings.
• Practical understanding of facility-level operations, quality of care standards, and barriers to access.
• Experience in designing and implementing equity- and gender-responsive programs.
• Ability to connect health financing reforms with the realities of service delivery.