Conduct Desk Research on the Political Economy of Health Issues

Details

Mission and objectives

UNDP’s commitment to helping countries address major health challenges is based on the principles that health is both a driver and outcome of development and that actions across a wide range of development sectors have a significant impact on health outcomes. As a development agency, UNDP focuses on addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health, which are primarily responsible for health inequalities. UNDP’s work in health is undertaken by an integrated team operating at global, regional and country levels. The work falls within three inter-connected areas of action: -- Reducing inequalities and social exclusion that drive poor health; -- Promoting effective and inclusive governance for health; and -- Building resilient and sustainable systems for health.

Context

UNDP, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Secretariat to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the United Nations Interagency Task Force on NCDs (UNIATF) and national governments have collaborated to conduct national Investment Cases on tobacco control, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, alcohol control, nutrition, and health taxes. The Institutional Context Analyses (ICAs) are designed to complement the economic modeling component of Investment Cases, by providing an assessment of the forces driving health policies and laws in a country, what actors and institutions are most influential, and what the best path would be to scaling up action. The investment cases can be used as advocacy pieces for policymakers, as well as for the Ministry of Health to present to non-health ministries.

Task description

The Online Volunteer will use desk research to conduct Institutional Context Analyses (ICAs) as part of national Investment Cases on tobacco control, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, alcohol control, health taxes and other investment cases related to health. The Online Volunteer will be assigned a country or countries and will use UNDP's relevant Guidance Note to summarize the scope of the problem, historical and present barriers to adoption, institutional and governance arrangements and capacities, political economy drivers, in addition to proposing priority actions. UNDP Health and Development Unit will provide required information and guidance. Upon completion, the online volunteer will be given due credit and receive a Certificate of Appreciation for their contribution. No financial compensation is provided for this online volunteering opportunity.