Health Economist Consultancy - South Africa

Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) is a global health organization that partners locally and globally to create and scale solutions to the world’s deadliest health threats. Millions of people die from preventable health threats. We collaborate to close the gap between proven, life-saving solutions and the people who need them. Since 2017, we’ve worked with governments and other partners in more than 60 countries to save millions of lives. We work toward a future where people live longer, healthier lives, communities flourish, and economies thrive. This is an ambitious vision, and it inspires us and our partners to make progress every day. 

TERMS OF REFERENCE 

Position: Health Economist Consultancy 

Location: South Africa  

Duration: 6 months (Aug 2025 – Jan 2026) at 25% time (approximately 30 days) 

Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) is a US-based, global public health organization with a mission to prevent 100 million deaths from heart disease and to make the world safer from epidemics. Since 2017, Resolve to Save Lives has partnered with low-and middle-income country governments, multilateral agencies, academic and other civil society partners, and communities to implement policies and programs to treat and control hypertension, reduce sodium intake, eliminate artificial trans fats, and strengthen systems for epidemic prevention.   

Resolve to Save Lives' Prevent Epidemics program works closely with Ministries of Health and national public health institutes in Africa to strengthen epidemic preparedness capacity, accelerate disease detection and response, and to use data effectively to inform action. In addition to direct partnership with governments, we also work with implementing partners including the World Health Organization, World Bank, US CDC, and Global Health Advocacy Incubator to implement programs, prototype new innovations, and ensure sustainability through increased national ownership, including domestic budget allocations.  

Our Leadership, Governance, and Financing (LGF) team drives this work by enhancing leadership and management, fostering public health institutional strengthening to advance country-level and global health security. Our evidence-based approach emphasizes that effective epidemic response hinges on cross-sector partnerships, coordinated national and sub-national efforts, community involvement, and continuous improvement for health security. In South Africa, Resolve to Save Lives supports a multi-sectoral preparedness team within government to improve planning and implementation of the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS), including improved financing for NAPHS. 

Position Purpose:    

The Health Economist Consultant will undertake a rapid landscape analysis of health security financing in South Africa, working closely with RTSL global staff and a multi-disciplinary, national government team. This work aims to strengthen epidemic preparedness in the country. The analysis will identify feasible, sustainable financing solutions to reduce the funding gap for implementing the NAPHS and ensure effective use of financial resources available for health security. 

The rapid landscape analysis requires reviewing quantitative data on government revenues, budget allocations, and spending by sector and program, as well as external financing support for health security. The consultant is expected to review documents and interview key stakeholders to fill information gaps and identify practical steps for implementing financing recommendations. The consultant’s synthesis of findings will culminate in a final presentation and stakeholder meeting.  

Key Responsibilities:  

• Synthesize South Africa’s budgeting process and budget allocations (ministry, province, local government/municipalities) as it relates to health security. 

• Liaise with RTSL and government staff to design and implement the rapid financing landscape assessment and identify key informants for interviews. 

• Collate and analyze quantitative data on domestic and external financing for health security, including government budget allocations by sector and program. 

• Conduct document reviews and key informant interviews to better understand the health security financing system and potential financing opportunities. 

• Synthesize data to develop recommendations for health security financing reforms and key actions needed for implementation. 

• Collaborate with RTSL and the government to present findings and recommendations and solicit feedback on proposed actions.  

Key Contract Deliverables 

• Final methodological approach (PowerPoint) with corresponding data collection and analysis tools (Word/Excel documents) 

• Preliminary findings in PowerPoint, with raw data collection and analysis files 

• Final analysis in PowerPoint, with raw data collection and analysis files 

Deliverables will be submitted to RTSL’s Senior Technical Advisor, Domestic Financing, who serves as Contract Manager. 

Required Qualifications:  

• Education & Background:   
  • Graduate degree in public health, economics, public policy or other relevant field. 

• Research & Analytical Skills: 
  • Experience in analyzing financial and economic data, particularly government budgets and expenditures.
  • Experience conducting qualitative research, including designing, conducting, and analyzing key informant interviews and focus groups.
  • Ability to synthesize complex information from multiple sources into clear, actionable insights.  

• Sector-Specific Expertise: 
  • At least 8 years of experience working in health financing, particularly related to domestic resource mobilization, evidence generation (e.g., expenditure tracking), public financial management systems, and strategic purchasing. 
  • Experience partnering with government officials in key sectors such as health and finance. 
  • Basic understanding of epidemic preparedness and response concepts. Preferably, has knowledge of health security capacities and functions in South Africa. 

• Communication & Collaboration: 
  • Clear and effective communicator with experience developing reports, policy briefs, proposals, and presentations for senior leadership, donors, and external stakeholders. 
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage with high-level stakeholders, including government officials, policymakers, and development partners. 
  • Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.  

Applications: 

Candidates for this consultancy must submit a letter of interest with their CV.  

RTSL accepts and reviews applications on an ongoing basis. We are grateful for your interest in our work and for your application. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications, we are unable to respond to every applicant. Someone from our talent team or hiring team will contact you if your qualifications match the role.

RTSL believes its programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by individuals with diverse life experiences whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make our work and workforce more inclusive. We encourage applications from and provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, organ donor status, or status as a veteran. Resolve to Save Lives complies with all applicable US EEO laws.