- Terms of Reference for Fellow – Policy Analyst
The Health Policy Analyst Fellow will be a critical member of the Health Policy and Planning Unit within the DPPI at the MoH. The Health Policy Analyst Fellow’s primary responsibility will be to conduct thorough research, engage with stakeholders, and provide evidence-based recommendations to shape the MoH’s health policies, strategies, and planning, including the HMIS Policy, digital health Roadmap, and healthcare Financing agendas, etc. The Health Policy Analyst Fellow will be involved in research and health projects alignments with health policies; and work with technical working groups to aid translate health policies from research, implementation work into policy recommendations for policy change. The Health Policy Analyst Fellow will play a crucial role in shaping the MoH’s approach to health policies, strategies, and legislations development, ensuring alignment with national and international standards, and fostering the integration of health policies, strategies, data, health information management systems, and digital technologies to enhance comprehensive life stages approach to patient-centered healthcare service delivery and population health outcomes.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Policy Analysis and Development:
- Support senior managers in conducting comprehensive research and analysis of healthcare policies, regulations, and emerging trends to inform policy development.
- Assist in formulating evidence-based health policies and strategies that align with the MoH organizational goals and national health priorities.
- Contribute to assessing the impact of existing policies and provide recommendations for continuous improvement and innovation.
Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration:
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies, health experts, and industry partners, to gather insights and input for health policies development.
- Assist in fostering partnerships and building consensus to ensure health policies alignment with MoH organizational objectives and stakeholder needs; drive to achieve health in all policies.
- Participate in health policy discussions and support MoH directorates and programs and other MDAs and partners in the policies space.
Policy Planning and Implementation Leadership:
- Provide support to senior managers in offering strategic direction and guidance for the effective health policy development, planning, and implementation of health policies and initiatives.
- Assist in developing detailed action plans and timelines for policy and strategy reviews and support their execution by relevant departments and teams.
- Contribute to monitoring the progress of policy implementation, identifying challenges, and proposing solutions to optimize policy outcomes.
- Develop health policies development plan, achieve and share all health policies and strategies.
- Contribute to developing One Health Policy, One Plan, One Budget, One Monitoring, and One Reporting concept and actualization.
Data Privacy Policies, Legislation, and Security Compliance:
- Collaborate with IT and legal teams to assess and address data privacy, security, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethical considerations within digital health policies to safeguard patient information.
- Assist in ensuring compliance with data protection regulations and industry standards.
- Contribute to the establishment of protocols for secured data exchange and sharing, adhering to best practices and ethical standards.
Policy Research, Evaluation, and Impact Assessment:
- Conduct desk-based research on healthcare policies, public health programs, and regulatory frameworks at local, national, and international levels.
- Support the establishment of monitoring and evaluation frameworks for all health policies and regulations and contribute to the evaluation of healthcare policies, identifying successes, shortcomings, and opportunities for improvement.
- Assist in analyzing healthcare data and performance metrics to assess policy effectiveness and provide evidence-based recommendations to address healthcare challenges, promote health equity, and enhance health system efficiency.
Innovation and Emerging Technologies:
- Stay informed about health policies and digital health advancements and emerging technologies to support policy development.
- Assist in evaluating and provide health policy support for potential innovative solutions in advancing healthcare services and propose strategies for their integration.
- Collaborate with research institutions and industry leaders, under senior management guidance, to contribute to innovations in point-of-care digital solutions.
Support for Senior Management:
- Provide administrative and research support to senior managers in their efforts to drive policy development and implementation.
- Assist in preparing policy papers, briefs, and reports to support senior management’s decision-making processes.
- Collaborate with senior managers to ensure policy initiatives align with organizational goals and priorities.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Desirable:
- A graduate (BSc/BA), Merit (2:1) or First Division preferably.
- A Sierra Leonean, either local or from the diaspora.
- Willingness to pursue a master’s degree while working over a 2-year period at the Ministry of Health.
- Willingness to transition into the Scheme of Service to secure a permanent position at the Ministry of Health following the 2-year fellowship.
Expectations (Candidates may have a combination of these attributes):
- A bachelor’s degree in public health, health policy, health economics, health informatics, political science, law, or a related field.
- Between 1-3 years+ work experience in health policy analysis, research and publication, and international development roles.
- Some understanding of Sierra Leone’s health system, structure of health bodies, stakeholders, policy landscape, and policy formulation processes.
- Some understanding of health policy development or willingness to build knowledge within digital health and medical technologies.
- Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong research, writing, and publication skills.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and drive collaborative initiatives.
To apply, please send your application (a mandatory cover letter and an updated CV with at least 3 references) to the following email addresses: recruitment@mohsihpau.gov.sl by: 4:00 pm Local Time, Monday 26th February, 2023.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Only email applications sent to the above email address will be included in the pool of applicants to be assessed by MOH. No hand deliveries will be accepted. Please also note that your CV should contain your full contact details such as residence address, working mobile telephone number, working email address, as well as those of your three referees.
- Selected candidates will be required to sign a contractual agreement with the Government of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health.
- The recruitment will initially be for a period of 2years and thereafter an annual extension subject to performance and funds availability.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION IS: – 26th February, 2023