Senior Economist(Health)/Senior Health Specialist

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

East Asia and Pacific Region

The East Asia and Pacific Region (EAP) is a highly diverse region, with countries of all income levels and wide differences in resource endowments, human capital, and institutional capacity. The Health Nutrition, and Population (HNP) Global Practice in EAP has a large lending and advisory services and analytics (ASA) portfolio.  The HNP Practice is actively engaged in most countries in the region, often at the subnational level. The EAP HNP strategy aims to improve health outcomes and make progress towards universal health coverage, enhancing the performance and resilience of health systems in financially affordable and sustainable ways. The World Bank in East Asia and Pacific: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/eap

Unit Context:

Cambodia is a lower-middle income country (LMIC) that has experienced significant economic growth in recent years, but with a Human Capital Index score of 0.49 its human development outcomes lag others in the East Asia and Pacific region. With the demographic and epidemiological transition, the burden of non-communicable diseases is increasing, and the service delivery models for effective prevention and control need to adapt. More generally, the quality of both hospital and primary health care requires substantial investment in infrastructure, human resources, and protocols. Government spending on healthcare is relatively low, while the share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare is amongst the highest in the world, despite the steady expansion of coverage through the Health Equity Fund.  The private healthcare sector is growing rapidly.

We are looking for a Senior Economist / Senior Health Specialist with experience in leading complex engagements in the health sector in low- and/or middle-income countries to lead the World Bank’s work in the health sector in Cambodia. This role will involve serving as task team leader (TTL) for ongoing project/loans and preparing new project/loans and leading a large technical assistance program, both of which are co-financed by several development partners, as well as engaging in policy dialogue with senior government counterparts and partners, and supporting the implementation of projects and analytical work led by other international and local task team leaders. The Cambodia health portfolio consists of the Health Equity and Quality Improvement Project II, the Cambodia Nutrition Projects I and II, the Strengthening Pre-Service for Health Professionals Project, and a large program of technical assistance. The selected candidate may also take on technical or operational leadership roles elsewhere in the East Asia and Pacific region, in line with the candidate’s areas of expertise. The position is based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and the selected candidate will report to the HNP Practice Manager based in Bangkok. 

Duties and accountabilities: 

• Lead ongoing lending operations and develop new operations, including related technical assistance and capacity-building activities, while engaging closely with client ministries and internal World Bank teams to ensure effective implementation.

• Lead and contribute to high-quality analytical and advisory services focusing on health service delivery and health financing, as well as broader human development issues requiring multisectoral collaboration.

• Engage effectively in policy dialogue with government counterparts, including at senior levels in the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and other government agencies to advance critical reforms.

• Work effectively with development partners, including co-financing partners, active in the health sector

• Support other task team leaders working in Cambodia in carrying out their responsibilities, while also mentoring more junior colleagues

• Participate in regional capacity-building activities, including organizing and contributing to workshops and seminars to enhance knowledge-sharing.

• Engage effectively across the World Bank Group, including with IFC and other Practice Groups, to align efforts and increase impact in improve health outcomes in Cambodia.

Selection Criteria

• An advanced degree equivalent to a Master’s degree in economics, public policy, public administration, public health, or a related discipline, or a medical degree, with at least 8 years of relevant experience is required. A PhD in economics, public policy, public administration, public administration, or public health would bring added depth to the role.

• Proven ability to engage in policy dialogue with senior government officials in ministries of health, ministries of finance, and health insurance / strategic purchasing agencies.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively with development partners (including multilateral development banks, UN agencies, and bilateral partners), as well as other stakeholders in the private sector and civil society.

• Experience in project management, preferably World Bank loan/grant financing instruments, such as investment project financing (IPFs) and Program for Results (PforRs).

• Demonstrated track record in leading complex analytics and translating findings into clear, actionable, and user-friendly written outputs. The ability to inform and influence high-level policy discussions through both written and oral communication is critical.

• In-depth knowledge of health financing and health service delivery reforms relevant to the health sector challenges of Cambodia 

• Ability to lead teams of sector and non-sector specialists, and work effectively with colleagues in other Practice Groups

• A strong record of accountability and high standards for work products is essential, including meeting deadlines, managing competing priorities, collaborating effectively within a team, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality outcomes.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.