Consultant – Activity-Based Costing and Management (ABC/M)

Consultant – Activity-Based Costing and Management (ABC/M) in Malawi

The Government of Malawi plans to apply Activity-Based Costing and Management (ABC/M) to several health services, including HIV and other primary healthcare (PHC) services, in the country through a collaboration with the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Analytics for Advancing the Financial Sustainability of the HIV/AIDS Response (AFS) project, which is supported by PEPFAR/USAID in collaboration with Avenir Health and Genesis Analytics, will implement this ABC/M application in tandem with a Local Collaborating Institution (LCI). The main objective of this ABC/M study is to collect and analyze resource use and cost data related to the provision of selected health services at the community, facility, and above-site levels so that the Government of Malawi and its partners can use the data to effectively allocate resources, improve monitoring efforts, and increase efficiency. A Steering Committee, likely to be chaired by Malawi’s Ministry of Health and composed of representatives from the diverse stakeholders across the country, will guide AFS and the LCI throughout the implementation of ABC/M in Malawi.

About Us           

Genesis Analytics, the organization providing technical assistance for the AFS project in Malawi, was established in 1998. Genesis is headquartered in Johannesburg and has a global footprint with more than 300 staff members worldwide. Our purpose is to co-create solutions to some of the African continent’s most pressing health challenges, with a focus on infectious diseases, sexual and reproductive health, and strengthening health systems. We utilize our extensive expertise in health finance and economics, in research, monitoring and evaluation, and in program implementation support to provide value-based, innovative and integrated solutions that drive decision-making and change. Donor organizations, foundations and governments across Africa routinely rely on us for expert advice and support. We have worked extensively with public and private healthcare sectors. This gives us a position of trust based on a strong reputation for providing robust and independent expert advice.

Assignment Summary

AFS is seeking a qualified consultant based in Malawi to provide in-country managerial oversight of ABC/M implementation in the country. The consultant will report to Genesis Analytics and will work closely with Malawi’s ABC/M Steering Committee. A key role of the consultant will likely be liaising with the Ministry of Health (MOH), in particular MOH representatives on the ABC/M Steering Committee, on behalf of AFS. In addition to being familiar with MOH staff and maintaining a close relationship with the MOH, the consultant is expected to work collaboratively with the broader AFS team and ABC/M stakeholders, including but not limited to USAID Malawi, CDC Malawi, PEPFAR Malawi, public and private health facility staff, and other stakeholders. Furthermore, the Consultant will work closely with the LCI, which AFS will contract separately to implement the data collection and analysis of this ABC/M exercise. The consultant’s assignment is estimated to require 60 total days of engagement and will be spread over an expected period of performance from February 2025 –  April 2026.

Consultant Responsibilities

• Serve as an in-country liaison for AFS with all other stakeholders involved in the ABC/M study.
• Provide in-country support for AFS and the LCI implementing the ABC/M exercise to reach agreed milestones (timeframes, workflow, reporting and updates, etc.). Note that AFS will contract the LCI separately to collect data at 15-20 facilities across Malawi.
• With the LCI, manage submission of protocol and all supporting materials, communicate all feedback from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) over the course of the review, assist with responding to and integrating feedback from the IRB process, act as liaison between AFS and the IRB and follow up with IRB as needed to ensure a smooth process.
• Participate in the data collectors’ training, including piloting of the tools and recording and managing feedback on application of the data collection tools
• Provide some logistical support for primary data collection and Steering Committee meetings, as needed.
• Provide support to the LCI on collecting secondary data on above-site expenditures.
• Provide support to the LCI on conducting secondary data analysis on national and facility level health service clinical and financial data. Follow up with stakeholders as needed.
• Provide support to the LCI in conducting secondary data analysis on community-level clinical and financial data. Follow up with stakeholders as needed.
• Provide support to the LCI in conducting a landscaping/mapping of the country Health Management Information System (HMIS) ecosystem.
• Assist in organizing meetings, trainings, dissemination, etc. with key stakeholders as needed.
• Participate in meetings of the Malawi ABC/M Steering Committee.
• Track progress of ABC/M implementation and provide updates to AFS on a weekly basis; communicate frequently with AFS on issues affecting data collection.
• Provide ad hoc updates to Malawi’s MOH, the ABC/M Steering Committee, and other stakeholders as needed.

Qualifications

• Educational background in social sciences, public health, or economics with significant experience and demonstration of success in Malawi conducting data collection and management for field research evaluations related to health services.
• Strong existing relationships with MOH and other agencies (USAID Malawi, CDC Malawi, and PEPFAR Malawi preferred).
• Strong management and organizational skills related to data collection with high attention to detail.
• Strong experience with costing, health care service delivery, and health financing issues in Malawi.
• Experience with process mapping or patient flow analysis preferred.
• Excellent English writing, oral communication, and reporting skills.
• Quantitative skills, including data analysis and interpretation.
• Ability to develop presentations and write summary reports.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work successfully with diverse groups, partners, and colleagues.
• Must be based in Malawi.

Please submit your CV and a Cover letter highlighting your suitability for the position. Kindly save the cover letter and CV as one document before uploading.

Application closing date: Monday 9th December 2024

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