Researcher, Health Investment & Policy

United States

Organization: LMH - Last Mile Health
Location: United States
Grade: Senior level - Senior
Occupational Groups:
- Public Health and Health Service
- Public Policy and Administration
- Medical Technology (Med Tech)
Closing Date: Closed

About Last Mile Health

Last Mile Health (LMH) saves lives in the world's most remote communities by partnering with governments to bring critical primary care services to the doorsteps of people living in the last mile. Last Mile Health is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization with offices in Liberia, Boston and New York. For more information, visit www.lastmilehealth.org.

General Position Summary

The Researcher, Health Investment & Policy (HIP), will have primary responsibility for generating documentation and assembling evidence for exemplar community health worker programs and community health systems, as well as engagement with external stakeholders who contribute to this evidence base and community of practice.

The Researcher’s primary responsibility will be to undertake primary and secondary research in selected countries to synthesize positive deviant characteristics and determinants of program success with appropriate granularity to improve investment and financing decisions.

The current project approach is to (1) develop a framework to identify exemplar community health programs, (2) apply that framework to available data on current programs, and (3) develop a suite of case-study materials for 4-5 identified programs. As needed, the SPO will also support related work streams, such as evidence packaging, dissemination, and advocacy projects related to community health.

This contract is slated to begin in January 2018 and end in August 2018.

Essential Job Functions

In consultation with relevant internal and external stakeholders, provide day-to-day execution capacity to finalize a rigorous methodology for undertaking 4-5 case studies of exemplar community health programs.
Generate drafts of one or more case studies or other audience-appropriate outputs to synthesize learnings, data collected, and actionable insights to develop case study evidence and related materials in collaboration with Last Mile Health staff. Refine, revise, and test outputs with key audiences, experts, and Technical Advisory Panel. Support design and dissemination of research products to enable broad uptake of output, feeding into Last Mile Health’s Community Health Academy and related efforts.
Arrange research-related interviews, generate and manage documentation of expert interviews, and related knowledge management.
Support Last Mile Health as needed with additional Health Investment & Policy projects.

Qualifications

A Master’s degree in public policy, business, health economics, decision/data science, public administration, public health, or related subject is an advantage
MD and/or PhD in a related field a plus
Minimum of 5 years work experience in public policy or public health, preferably in health systems research in partnership with government counterparts or other policymakers, donors, and multi-lateral institutions
Experience managing academic research and working with academic researchers, especially in conducting or assessing health systems research for sophisticated audiences
Management consulting experience, particularly in an advisory role to philanthropic, government, or social sector clients, and governance, especially developing research or other communications materials for policymakers
Project and people management experience in complex environments, and ability to prioritize to meet tight timelines
Experience working with governments as a technical expert or technical assistant in resource limited settings
Intermediate or advanced experience with major office applications and strong proficiency with a pipeline of research and data management and analysis tools
Availability for international travel with limited support to resource limited settings, including periods of several months with up to 50% international travel
Significant knowledge of implementation science research and practice in public health, and experience using quantitative and qualitative methods to translate research into effective publications and policy briefs.
Experience and knowledge related to the evaluation of technical and design aspects of health financing and governance in community health. For example, being able to synthesize academic and other literature regarding the cost-effectiveness of community health programs.
Ability to conduct, manage, and evaluate primary and secondary research to develop sophisticated, practice-changing, and audience-appropriate materials, including cross-country program evaluation methodologies and frameworks
Ability to diplomatically navigate complex stakeholder dynamics, proactively problem solve to negotiate, and achieve results and consensus with multiple influencers
Fluent in English and excellent verbal, and written communication skills
Strong communication and inter-personal skills; ability to interface with diverse stakeholders in a range of multi-disciplinary settings
Demonstrable intellectual curiosity related to Health Investment & Policy, generosity of spirit, entrepreneurial mindset, and mission-driven with a commitment to health and social justice