Health Specialist (GRASP-UHC Project)

Plan International Pilipinas Foundation Inc. is a local non-government, non-religious, and non-political development and humanitarian organization committed to enabling children to live free of poverty, violence, inequality, and injustice.

We are committed to gender equality and actively work with and engage children, communities, other people, and institutions in addressing the root causes of poverty and gender inequality. We support children and young people, especially the most vulnerable, to build the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We focus on girls, young women, and other marginalized groups so that they can improve their well-being and achieve their full potential.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Plan International Pilipinas Foundation Inc. will implement a five-year project entitled:  A Gender-Responsive Systems Approach to Universal Health Care (GRASP-UHC) in the Philippines.

This intervention aims to improve the health outcomes of vulnerable populations, by enhancing the capacity of local government units (LGUs) to provide affordable and equitable access to healthcare goods and services through effective Universal Health Care (UHC). The project will be implemented in collaboration with Plan International, The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), the Unité de santé internationale de l’Université de Montréal (USI-UdeM), and local civil society organizations. 

In line with this project, we invite competent, experienced, and committed professionals to fill the following position. 

The Health Specialist will provide technical oversight and support to the implementation of the 5-year Gender-Responsive Systems Approach to Universal Health Care (GRASP-UHC) project in underserved provinces of the Philippines. 

Working closely with ZFF and collaborating with local health partners and government agencies, the postholder will design strategies to strengthen governance and institutional accountability at the local level.

Further, as the Health Specialist:

• You will analyze and lead the design of enhancement programs to strengthen the governance of integrated local health systems and improve the use of gender-and-adolescent-responsive and inclusive health services.
• You will generate ideas, concepts, and insights based on health systems indicators, trends, patterns, and developments, integrating economic, political, sociocultural, and environmental factors to contribute to strengthening the project’s approach and delivery.
• You will prepare technical papers/documents, provide inputs to communication materials, and inputs on reports.
• You will conduct regular field visits to provide direct and immediate technical assistance to the covered areas.
• You will conduct and/or attend relevant network meetings for consultation, promote shared learning, and continue education on integrated local health systems governance and gender-responsive health services.
• Plan International Pilipinas Foundation Inc. is a development and humanitarian organization. In exceptional cases, you will be asked to support emergency response activities.

 DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

To be successful in the role you will need among other things:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Management, or a related field.
• Four to five years of experience in health system strengthening, preferably in marginalized areas in the Philippines.
• Proven expertise in project design, implementation, and evaluation, with a focus on universal health care.
• Strong understanding of gender transformative programming and approaches, advocacy, and community engagement.
• Effective communication skills, excellent writing skills, and demonstrated ability to produce high-quality reports and deliverables on time.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse and dynamic team.
• This role requires fieldwork. Applicant must be open and able to conduct fieldwork in areas covered by the project.
• Applicants must be based in the Philippines and a Filipino national.

*This is anticipatory hiring. Target onboarding is on March 2024.*

Location: Makati City, with travel to the project sites.

Type of Role: Project-based (until March 2029)

Reports to: Project Manager

Hybrid Working Arrangements available

Competitive compensation package (local T&C)

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.